Suggestions
Katie Dunn
Angel Investor / Board Director / Finance & Due Diligence Expert
Katie Dunn is a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial support community, serving as a Board Director at the Enthuse Foundation since May 2024. The Enthuse Foundation is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs through educational resources, networking events, pitch competitions, and financial grants.15
In addition to her role at the Enthuse Foundation, Dunn is a partner at Power to Pitch, where she focuses on helping women secure funding for their ventures. Her work emphasizes the importance of financial support and mentorship for female entrepreneurs, addressing the disparities they face in accessing capital compared to their male counterparts.24
Dunn has also been involved in various speaking engagements and panels, particularly focusing on fundraising and investment strategies for women-led businesses. Notably, she participated in the Enthuse Foundation's annual pitch competition, advocating for increased funding opportunities for women.23 Moreover, she is associated with Outcast Brands, an Irish spirits company, further showcasing her commitment to supporting innovative ventures in diverse sectors.6
Her professional background reflects a strong commitment to fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs through direct involvement in initiatives that promote funding and business growth.
Highlights
A founder we are working with secured a big meeting with a potential angel and advisor who could give her credibility and visibility.
Here’s the advice I gave her to prepare for the meeting.
You need to show him you will not waste his time and that you value his time AND your own. Do your research!
I'd suggest an email before:
Hi, I look forward to our discussion and want to ensure our time together is efficient. I have a few topics I'd like to discuss, and I would like your input as well. My thoughts are X, Y, and Z. Are there more you would add?
Would you like to see anything before we meet, or would you like me to review anything?
Thank you, and see you soon.
Go into the meeting with an agenda prepared, but don't be afraid to follow his lead. Plan it out based on your time and ensure there are at least 10-15 minutes at the end for questions. Put the most important things at the top, but an Offer should be before an Ask. Show him how you can add value. Make sure you're aware of the time. Five minutes before it's due to end, say, "I know we have 5 minutes left - is there anything you'd like to touch on now?" Do NOT try to get more time unless he offers, but suggest another meeting if you feel it's appropriate.
Make sure you have at least three printed copies of your investment deck, one-pager, brand overview, and any other important assets and a demo you can show on an iPad or computer WITHOUT internet access, just in case. You may not need any of them; you may use all of them. Do NOT pull them out unless appropriate; if you didn't use them during the meeting, don't leave them there unless they ask for them.
The agenda might be:
-
Overview of the company - 3-4 minutes
- You - brag about accomplishments
- Past
- Today
- Future (Add ons and Exit)
-
Offer
- Potential Partnership
- Introductions he'd like to have
- "What are you struggling with right now?"
-
Asks
-
Investment
- Have they invested in other companies?
- What investment is he considering and why? What is the most important factor for him?
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Advisement
- Be careful with this. Personally, I am very turned off when a founder asks me the first time they meet to be an advisor. I suggest asking if he is a formal advisory board member for other businesses or is currently taking on formal advisory roles. I'd get to know him well first before getting into bed.
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Introductions
- Are there certain connections he has that you want? Don't be afraid to ask. Tell him you'll put together a short intro for him to send. Show him you're not making extra work for him.
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I am honored to participate in Massachusetts Innovation Network "Know Your Investor - Reverse Pitch with Angels" Webinar on Thursday, August 15, from 12-1 PM.
Five of us will share our company profiles, investment preferences, processes, and the types of startups we believe are good investment fits. You'll hear valuable insights from Charlie C. of Hub Investment Management Group, Shields Day, CFA of Launchpad Venture Group, Nadia Shalaby 🚀 (not Ben Littauer (he/him) - we'll miss you!) of TBD Angels, Kate Putnam of Golden Seeds, and me!
It's open to anyone, free, and a great way to learn more on how to raise from angels!
Register now: https://lnkd.in/gcQCy-jd
