The “investor relations tightrope” edition | Dec 18th, 2024

Strap in! In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM and Cameron get some adult supervision. To help them tiptoe across the perilous tightrope of investor relations, they are joined by Brooke Borseth from Moneta Ventures, who brings wisdom and wit to their torpor and timidity.

This week, we’re going to pull back the curtain to reveal why your “groundbreaking” pitch deck is gathering more dust than dollars. We’re breaking down the art (and occasional tragic comedy) of the difference between pitching and presenting.

We’ll roast those financial projections you call “conservative”, roll our eyes at wild market size claims, and learn why storytelling isn’t just for bedtime.

Plus — Brooke dishes on how to keep investors intrigued without giving away the entire recipe. We cover the delicate dance between transparency and TMI — and remind you that if you’re boring the money people, you’re doing it wrong. The episode wraps up with some laughs, cautionary tales, and maybe a cringe or two.

As usual, we finish with some frivolous thoughts to take your mind off the pain:

* Cameron ponders whether Tahoe is worth the drive;

* Brooke wonders about the economics of a local musical; and

* JDM eyes a kitschy t-shirt from Jewish TikTok.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com