Ep.2 -Pitch, Persistence, and Purpose: Building with the Veteran Fund

In this episode of 50 Chairs, host Gary Hensley engages with Ryan Micheletti and Mike Sherbakov from the Veteran Fund, exploring the journey of building a community for veterans through entrepreneurship. They discuss the importance of integrity, conviction, and relationship-building in the investment process, as well as memorable pitches and the future of innovation. The conversation emphasizes the significance of supporting veteran-led startups and the unique qualities that veterans bring to the entrepreneurial landscape.TakeawaysThe Veteran Fund is a culmination of decades of work.Building a community of veterans is essential for success.Investing is a people business, focusing on relationships.Integrity is crucial when pitching to investors.Conviction and passion are key to inspiring others.Memorable pitches often come from founders with deep conviction.The future of innovation relies on supporting veteran-led startups.Clear and simple communication is vital in pitches.Building a tribe of like-minded individuals enhances success.The journey of entrepreneurship is often non-linear and requires resilience.Sound bites"It's important to build a relationship.""It's a people business.""You have to be very clear and simple."Chapters00:00 The Genesis of the Veteran Fund02:58 Building a Community and Ecosystem06:00 The Journey of Entrepreneurship08:52 Connecting the Dots: Military to Business11:57 The Unique Value of Veteran Leadership15:00 The Investor's Mindset17:54 Evaluating Founders and Startups20:56 The Role of Veterans in Innovation24:03 Navigating Challenges in the Tech Space27:04 Red Flags in Pitching29:49 The Long-Term Relationship Between Founders and Investors33:51 Navigating Rejection and Building Relationships36:10 The Importance of Consistency in Communication38:23 Identifying Key Traits in Founders40:06 The Intangible Qualities of Successful Founders42:20 The Role of Conviction in Entrepreneurship45:08 Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators48:05 Memorable Pitches and Their Impact50:58 The Power of Conviction in Founders54:20 Inspiring Future Generations Through Innovation56:34 Crafting the Perfect Pitch for Investors@50chairs For the 50chairs Playbook from every episode go to www.50chairs.com