Hello!

When explaining Calgary’s DemoCamp and BarCamp to friends, prepare for the inevitable question…

“Why does BarCamp happen in a lecture hall, but DemoCamp happen in a bar?”

Of course there is no good answer to this, but by restating the facts slower and louder your friend might think they’re missing something obvious. Pretend like you are talking to a dog. If you can indirectly communicate to them that they are an idiot even needing to ask the question… then you’ve won.

Why might you want to attend DemoCamp… and perhaps even demo?

• Learn what software is being developed in your home town. Tired of working on Calgary oil and gas applications? There’s always interesting project in need of code monkeys.
• Hone your presentation skills. Do you want to look like a frigging idiot in front of a of VCs? Stone cold sober VCs? Or a crowd which has consumed enough beer to forgive almost all your mistakes?
• Present to VCs! Yes there are investors there as well. If you’re going to make a mistake, best to do it in a casual environment where you can solicit feedback.
• Crowdsource potential pitfalls and improvements. Maybe there is a way to improve your app or market your app which simply hasn’t occurred to you. You’ve been working on that app for too long, so show it to some fresh eyes.

Hope to see you at DemoCampCalgary 11!

Very first investor pitch I ever did could be an all time worst investor presentation. Straight out of school. Didn’t have a subscription agreement. Didn’t know what pre-money was. Didn’t even answer all the basic questions. I just had enough confidence to do the pitch. -MJ

Couldn’t identify his target market. Showed up on the wrong day. Kept calling the investor daddy-o. Wasn’t wearing any shoes… the kind of performance that wouldn’t just deny you seed capital, but that could get you arrested in 16 states.

If you are a VC or angel, and have a weak heart, do not watch this video! However, if you are fresh out of school, and looking to launch a startup… proceed with caution.

Coming out of school is a perfect time to get a start up going

When your young, you have an inevitable feeling of immortality. From the first time you ride a wheelie on your bicycle, to jumping off the jungle gym, you inherently know that everything is going to be okay. It’s only natural for the thickness of this bubble of invulnerability to wane over time, until it is finally gone and you become scared of even the minor risks.

“Being Young is a Fault That Improves Daily.” - Swedish Proverb

In the world of entrepreneurship, one of the greatest time spans you will have to take a risk is during your youth. Your adult enough to make your own choices, yet young enough to have little to lose. Your smart enough to understand that great risk can lead to great reward, and stupid enough to push in all your chips instead of folding.

Most young entrepreneurs make the mistake of thinking it’s an old professionals game. While this is true it some circles (especially investments and funding), for the most part you will never be more hard working or enthusiastic about your venture than at this stage in your life. Professionals can see this in you, and it is the best quality that you will never be able to put on a resume.

Simply put, being young and driven is better than being old and experienced. There are perks to being an expert as well. You may get better financing choices, and you certainly have more contacts, but being an entrepreneur is tough work that sometimes requires tough choices.

Show investors a great idea, enthusiasm, and Ramen Noodle receipts for the last four years - and they will see someone that can get an idea off the ground and knows how to live frugally.

Young entrepreneurs also are more likely to burn the midnight oil, travel relentlessly, and entertain prospective clients - then get up and do it again. Entrepreneurs don’t give up easily. When they are successful it’s called perseverance. Before they succeed, or if they fail, it’s called stubborn, bullheaded, arrogant, or foolish. Take advantage of this concept while your young. Arrogance is similar to confidence in your youth, but old stubborn people are a dime a dozen.

If you launch a successful startup, years from now the odds are you’ll look back on it and note how it wasn’t what made you money. Your pursuit of the original idea will likely either reveal a flaw, or expose you to a more compelling idea which is profitable.

Investors know this. Which makes direct communication between investor and entrepreneur essential. They are investing in you as much as they are any idea or technology.

All of a sudden, as soon as you talk to an investor, there’s this massive disconnect. That massive disconnect is why its so hard. Its not really about being smart at finance. And they’re not really trying to be smart about technology. Everyone’s just trying to get comfortable to make the investment. -MJ

As much as a potential investor cares about the technology you’re pursuing, they want to know they can work together with you when unforeseen circumstances arise. Your business may unexpectedly change, but you won’t.