'Don't Market Your Startup!' Pro-forma Judges' Shocking Advice ??

ThinkUp's powerhouse duo Ohad Shaked and Nir Melamud sit down with Pro-Forma Playbook host Matt Cretzman to reveal what REALLY gets funded in 2025. With decades of startup experience between them, these judges are shaking up everything you thought you knew about winning pitch competitions.

"Don't put money into marketing, do your own marketing. Don't put it into sales, do your own sales," reveals Nir Melamud, Think Up executive and judge for Pro-Forma's $50K pitch competition.

?? The Surprising Truth About Startup Success

Speaking with Pro-Forma Playbook host Matt Cretzman, Think Up's leadership team shares what really moves the needle. "Most founders think they need money first," says Nir. "That's the old way of thinking."

?? The Three T's That Matter:

According to Ohad Shaked, who's evaluated thousands of startups, success comes down to:

• Team: Diverse skills complementing each other
• Tech: Not just coding, but solving real problems
• TAM (Total Addressable Market): Big enough to scale

?? What To Do With That $50K:

?? DON'T:

• Outsource your marketing
• Hire a sales team
• Start coding immediately
• Celebrate with a steak dinner (though tempting!)

? DO:

• Interview potential customers
• Validate assumptions
• Build your financial model
• Create your own MVP

?? ThinkUp + Pro-Forma Advantage:

?"From ideation to exit," explains Matt Cretzman, "these platforms work together seamlessly:"

• ThinkUp: Validates your concept and assumptions
• Pro-Forma: Transforms your idea into investor-ready plans

?? The Real Reason Most Startups Fail:?

"The failure rate is staggering, but here's the secret - turn every 'no' into insight." - Ohad Shaked

?? Bonus Tip From The Judges: "If you meet investors or enter this pitch competition," Nir emphasizes, "don't just focus on winning. Focus on gathering insights about where you're strong and where you're weak. That's the mature mindset that separates successful founders from the rest."

?? LAST CHANCE: $50K Pitch Competition Closes TODAY!

Don't let this opportunity slip away. Apply NOW: https://bit.ly/Pro-Forma-Pitch-2024

?? Pro-Forma x Eagle Venture Lab: Where real solutions meet real funding.

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