Pitch Deck Tips and VC Finance for Deep Tech Founders. A chat with David Charbonneau, Managing Partner @ Boreal Ventures.

Welcome back to Deep Tech Catalyst, the channel where science meets venture. Together with global investors and experts, we uncover how to turn breakthrough scientific discoveries into investable Deep Tech startups.

Today, we are joined by David Charbonneau, founder, and managing partner at Boreal Ventures, a seed-stage Deep Tech VC fund, based in Montreal, Canada.

This episode is for anyone looking to navigate the complex waters of securing early-stage Deep Tech funding, establishing market traction, and understanding the nuances of venture capital finance.

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: David Charbonneau #DeepTechCatalyst

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TIMESTAMPS: 

(01:36) 👋 Introduction

(03:37) 🚫 3 Things to Avoid When Pitching a Deep Tech Startup to VCs

(07:55) 🎯 Focus on market traction first!

(09:58) 🍰 Your equity, your early-stage product to sell

(14:26) 🏦 Basics of VC Finance for Deep Tech Founders

(19:23) 🤝 The Value of Team Building in Due Diligence Analysis

(23:31) 💰 The Ask

------------- KEY THEMES COVERED: 1. Balancing Technical Details with #business Viability in Pitches: Learn about the crucial balance #deeptech #founders must strike in their pitches, emphasizing both their technology's technical aspects and its potential for generating revenue. 2. #investor Relationship and #equity Exchange Dynamics: Explore the significance of building rapport with investors and understanding the nuances of exchanging equity for #capital Discover why founders should view pitches as two-way interactions, assessing potential #investors as much as they are being assessed. 3. Venture Capital as a Strategic Accelerator, Not a Crutch: Unpack the common misconception of #venturecapital as an easy pathway to growth. This theme highlights the importance of using venture capital strategically, focusing on commercial traction and #market demand rather than solely relying on investor funding. 4. The Importance of Market Traction and Demonstrating Demand: Delve into the concept of market traction as a key indicator of a startup's potential success. Understand how evidence like sales, partnerships, and user growth can prove market acceptance and attract investors. 5. Equity Dynamics and #earlystage #funding Challenges: Gain insights into the basics of equity in venture capital finance and the unique challenges faced by founders in the early stages of funding. Understand the implications of selling company ownership and navigating the complex venture capital landscape. 6. Venture Capital Fundamentals and Investor Expectations: Explore the high-risk, high-return nature of venture capital, including the expected internal rate of return and the growth expectations for companies receiving such investments. Understand why most #startups do not receive venture funding and the competitive nature of this field. 7. The Role of #teambuilding in #duediligence Analysis: Learn about the critical role of team dynamics in the due diligence process of venture capital investment. Find out why venture capitalists prioritize team expertise, track records, and the ability to foresee #markettrends 8. Navigating the 'Ask' in Investment Pitches: Discover how founders should approach the 'Ask' slide in their pitches, balancing capital needs with investor expectations for equity and control. This theme covers the importance of clarity in fund utilization, realistic valuation, and alignment with the investor's cycle. 9. Adapting to Market Conditions and Building Investor Relationships: Learn how an informed #VC can guide founders on fair terms and how adapting to market conditions can smooth the fundraising process. -------------

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