I tried for years as a solo, unsuccessful. I had reasonable product and customers but one cannot grow enough to be interesting to investors.
I joined as the 3rd person on a pre-money team. Hardly knew one dude, still haven't met the other in person. 6mo into this we got a few bucks from an Angel and 6mo after that we got another Angel.
My experience was that its impossible for solo; but easy for a team. I also firmly believe in the three founder model (biz, sales, tech)
I would be careful calling any investors yokel or D-List. To me investors seem emotionally sensitive. But regardless, economic scarcity is working in their favour so you better come correct to the game.
I'm surprised to see people focused on the "local yokel" part, but I make no apologies for it. I got involved with local investors once and they a) took forever to make a decision b) withdrew from the term sheet signed deal due to their own disorganization and c) in retrospect, had no experience or networks that would have helped get the business going and at worst would have pestered me constantly. It was exactly the kind of money an entrepreneur should not want or take.
And real investors know this. You can find all sorts of "made" folks writing about how an early local deal killed the ability of the startup to raise follow on rounds or of investors causing more trouble for founders than they're worth.
This is one reason accelerators have been so successful: transparency, consistency, and a matra of active help, not hindrance
I would be careful calling any investors yokel or D-List.
Yeah, especially since you are listing your product and all. This is a really good way to ensure that those "local yokels" will never give you a dime. And possibly no one else will either.
"I would be careful calling any investors yokel or D-List", ne'er a true word been spoken. Don't bite (or look down) upon the hand that nourishes you and your dreams.
I joined as the 3rd person on a pre-money team. Hardly knew one dude, still haven't met the other in person. 6mo into this we got a few bucks from an Angel and 6mo after that we got another Angel.
My experience was that its impossible for solo; but easy for a team. I also firmly believe in the three founder model (biz, sales, tech)
I would be careful calling any investors yokel or D-List. To me investors seem emotionally sensitive. But regardless, economic scarcity is working in their favour so you better come correct to the game.