Can I give you some advice?
Advising is the backbone of our humble little organization. As our programs and facilities have evolved over the years, business advising has held steadfast. I believe it is our biggest strength and most important contribution to Vermont’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. But we’re not for everyone, so I figured it may be helpful to share some details on who we can assist and when. Hopefully this helps YOU find the right resource, even if it’s not us!
VCET advising is narrowly focused on scalable tech or tech-enabled companies and ideas. For non-tech firms, we recommend the expert advising with our dear pals over at the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) or mentorship through SCORE.
In the last year alone, our team advised over 350 founders and startup teams on everything from ideation through exit. So as my partner Dave likes to say, “we’ve seen a lot of movies.” While every person we meet is unique and special in their own ways, their challenges are not. Here’s where I think we can be most helpful:
- Giving solo founders clarity in times of uncertainty i.e. finding a signal in the noise
- Validating your idea and informing the customer discovery process
- Clarifying potential capital paths (whether they include venture capital or not)
- Pitch prep and deck feedback
- Identifying opportunities for growth and scale
So, if it sounds like you or someone you know could benefit from working with us, please reach out…it’s completely free. Just submit the contact form on our website (yes, we check it daily) or email me directly! Come as you are with what you’ve got, but the more information you provide up front, the more helpful we can be. Even if you’re in the ideation phase, tell us about your idea and what prompted you to reach out. If you’re farther along, we’d love to see your website, pitch deck, one pager, or anything else you have on hand. Just spare us a 40 page business plan 🙂
I’m proud to say that advising has led to our most successful investments and some of our most cherished founder relationships. VCET advising is candid, expert driven, and requires no long-term commitment. If one call is all you need, then great! Otherwise, we’re with you until you’re bought or buried!
Sam
