Prepare 4 VC

One of the biggest misconceptions in startups is that marketing is a budget problem. It isn’t. It’s a skill problem. It's something you can and absolutely should learn --- this is not a "Founder DNA" debacle. The problem is, and I am going to sound like a huge dick for saying this --- many founders believe that once they raise capital, their marketing challenges will magically disappear. In some cases, they believe that's when the marketing journey begins. No. That’s not how it works. That's not how ANY of this works. Money doesn’t create demand—understanding your market does, understanding and obsessing over your customer does. Investors aren't involved in this -- this is all you. If you can’t sell your vision with a compelling, repeatable message before funding, no investor is going to fix that for you. The message belongs to the narrative, and the narrative always begins and ends with you and one word: Why. Here's something else -- marketing extends far beyond awareness; it’s about trust, anticipation, and joy applied consistently and applied with mastery (s/o Christopher R. Dube). Your story, your messaging, your marketing is simply not something to be outsourced before you deeply understand it yourself -- unless you really want to fail. This is not PMF that's always moving, this is not something you figure out later. You need to build -- knowing that the winds of change will come, but you'll withstand those...and maybe even sway with them if you're that funky of an architect. If you’re struggling with marketing, the best investment you can make isn’t in ads—it’s in becoming a better communicator, founder-scientist, and storyteller. At Boston New Technology (BNT), we learned this firsthand. Jason Kraus and I inherited a system, broke it down, redefined our core identity with Shweta Agrawal, and have built something that resonates. The same applies to startups—without a clear why and a sharp understanding of your audience, marketing will always be chaos. If you want the unfiltered truth on why you need to own your marketing, read more in Never Ask Investors for Marketing Help (link in the comments below) Also, Startup Weekend 2025 is coming. If you’re ready to validate your ideas in real-time, your discount code of BNTMarsh is granting sign-ups with $25 off in honour of Marsh Sutherland. Take action, get involved, and start building. #startups #earlystage #entrepreneurship

Exciting news for a #Prepare4VC Breakthrough and #CICSocialImpact Alum! Coils to Locs has officially launched its second crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. This innovative company is addressing a critical gap in the medical hair loss market by providing textured, tightly coiled wigs to hospitals and cancer organizations nationwide. Their mission? To ensure Black women facing medical hair loss have access to options that honor their natural hair texture and maintain their dignity during challenging times. Coils to Locs is aiming to raise $250,000 to expand their reach from 26 partner organizations to over 1500 nationwide, enhance their wig line, and add augmented reality to their direct-to-consumer store. This is a unique opportunity to support a business making a real difference in inclusivity and healthcare. Learn more and consider investing in their campaign here:?https://lnkd.in/e8Zjxhud #MedicalWigEquity #RepresentationMatters #InvestInChange #BlackOwned #WomenFounders #InvestInWomen

Is Your Startup Too Dependent on One Major Client? ?? Relying too heavily on a single account can put your business at risk, leaving you vulnerable to market shifts, contract changes, or unforeseen challenges. Diversification is key to long-term stability and growth. In our latest blog, we break down: ? The hidden dangers of over-reliance on one client ? Strategies to diversify revenue streams and build resilience ? Steps to safeguard your startup from unexpected financial instability Don't let one account define your success—future-proof your business now! Read the full article here via Marc Kitz: https://zurl.co/0ENXL

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I haven’t been writing as much over the past few days as I’ve been waist-deep in testing various hypotheses and building very crude models in Python to help build on something the team and I at Startup Oasis Network (incl Prepare 4 VC and Boston New Technology (BNT)) are looking at closely. I want to thank —- Christopher R. Dube. It’s been a long time since he taught me about my 10 second sell at CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) with Yelena Galperina and friends and yet he’s always and will always be one of my greatest mentors. I would not be where I am without him. Jason Kraus. Jason is an extremely patient and supportive leader and he’s also one of the kindest people. He listens to my mad scientist rambles and reads my 900pg reports with that awesome smile on his face. Shweta Agrawal. The person who can help stabilize those wild and crazy ecosystem development or emerging technology driven mad scientist rambles and somehow make them more practical and logical and obtainable despite the quintillion tentacles. Everything is made better with the right team — hesitant dreamer, active seeker, prime opportunists and all.

For the next several days, we are celebrating Marsh Sutherland with Marsh Madness, and if you don't already know, Marsh is deeply experienced in startups, tech, and innovation. What else? Well...As a key force behind Boston New Technology’s revival of Startup Weekend in 2023, Marsh has been an dauntless mentor, strategist, and supporter of founders working to build something great. A true legend in the Startup Weekend world, Marsh has helped countless entrepreneurs navigate business development, sales strategy, and go-to-market execution. Beyond Startup Weekend, he has been instrumental in shaping Boston’s startup and tech ecosystem, fostering connections between founders, investors, and industry leaders. In honor of Marsh’s contributions, we are offering $25 off Startup Weekend tickets for a limited time. This is your chance to be part of an intense, hands-on weekend of building, learning, and networking with some of the best minds in the Boston startup scene. Secure your spot today and be part of the next wave of innovation. #MarshMadness #StartupWeekendBoston #MarshSutherland #BostonStartups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #TechStartups

?? The Building Blocks of an Effective Executive Summary ?? An executive summary is your startup’s first impression on investors, partners, and stakeholders. It needs to be clear, concise, and compelling—highlighting the most critical aspects of your business. Here’s what to include: ?? Vision & Mission Statement – Define your company’s purpose and long-term goals. ?? Business Concept – Outline your product, service, and market need. ?? Market Analysis & Target Audience – Show your research on competitors and market size. ?? Business Model & Revenue Strategy – Explain how your company makes money. ?? Competitive Advantage – What sets you apart from the competition? ?? Marketing & Sales Strategy – Your plan to attract customers and generate sales. ?? Financial Overview – Performance and future projections. ?? Team & Leadership – Introduce key team members and their expertise. ?? Milestones & Future Plans – Key growth objectives. ?? Call to Action – Invite investors to take the next step. ?? Investors don’t just fund ideas—they invest in well-structured, scalable businesses. Crafting a strong executive summary is the first step in standing out! ?? Need help structuring yours? Connect with Prepare 4 VC for expert guidance. #StartupSuccess #ExecutiveSummary #PitchDeck #InvestorReadiness #Prepare4VC

Good morning everyone! We're excited to announce that David Chang, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and a key figure in Boston’s startup ecosystem, will be joining Startup Weekend Boston 2025 as a judge! David has been an integral part of Boston’s innovation landscape, serving as a founder, advisor, and investor across numerous early-stage ventures. His experience spans fintech, SaaS, consumer tech, and beyond—making him an incredible resource for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their ideas into reality. A long-time advocate for the power of grassroots innovation, David is excited to see the fresh ideas, bold executions, and entrepreneurial energy that Startup Weekend fosters. His keen insights on business strategy, product development, and scaling startups will provide invaluable feedback to participants as they pitch their ideas. We’re honored to have him on board for Startup Weekend Boston 2025. If you want to be part of this transformative event, applications for participants, mentors, and sponsors are still open! #StartupWeekendBoston #BostonStartups #Entrepreneurship

Late Breaking News! Shweta, Jason, and I are super excited to announce that Stephanie Roulic, Founder and CEO of Startup Boston, will be joining Techstars Startup Weekend Boston as a judge! Stephanie has been a driving force in New England’s startup ecosystem, helping founders, operators, and the startup-curious connect with resources, opportunities, and each other through Startup Boston. Her commitment to amplifying local leaders and fostering a thriving innovation community makes her an invaluable addition to this year’s judging panel. A long-time supporter of #StartupWeekend, Steph is looking forward to seeing the energy, creativity, and bold ideas that Boston’s founders will bring to the table. With her experience in ecosystem building and startup growth, participants will receive insightful, high-impact feedback as they pitch their ideas. Join us for an unforgettable weekend of building, learning, and launching. Link to register in the comments! #StartupWeekendBoston #BostonStartups #Entrepreneurship

Hot off the presses! We are thrilled to announce that Paul English, serial entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and a go-giver gem in Boston’s startup ecosystem, will be joining us as a judge for Startup Weekend Boston 2025. Paul’s track record of building and scaling successful companies speaks for itself. His insights into product development, growth strategy, and entrepreneurial resilience will be invaluable as teams refine their ideas and pitch for the top spot. Having someone of his caliber evaluate these emerging startups adds a level of expertise and depth that few events can match. Startup Weekend Boston has always been about fostering innovation, pushing boundaries, and giving early-stage founders a platform to accelerate their ideas. With Paul on the judging panel, participants will receive not just feedback, but perspectives shaped by years of firsthand experience in building high-impact businesses. If you’re a founder, developer, designer, or simply someone who wants to immerse yourself in the startup world, this is the event to be at. Applications for participants, mentors, and sponsors are still open. Looking forward to an incredible weekend of building, learning, and launching. Link to sign up below! #StartupWeekendBoston #BostonStartups #Entrepreneurship #techstars #earlystage