How to Establish Initial Customer Relationships in Deep Tech Startups. A chat with Ryan Lewis, Partner @ SRI Ventures

Host: Nicola Marchese Guest: Ryan Lewis #DeepTechCatalyst ------------------------ Don't miss the ⁠full video podcast⁠ on our educational platform⁠⁠⁠! ------------------------ KEY THEMES COVERED: 1. Product or Feature Dependency: Exploring how deep tech innovations must translate into real-world applications for customers and the challenges founders face in demonstrating this. 2. Cost of Acquiring Customers: Discussing the importance of understanding the total cost of change or adoption for potential customers, particularly in deep tech where technology adoption requires significant changes. 3. Engagement Strategies with Customers: Highlighting the necessity for startups to explore multiple engagement strategies with customers, avoiding 'all-or-nothing' scenarios, and finding various entry points to de-risk the business. 4. Advantages of Multiple Customers for VCs: Addressing the risks associated with over-reliance on a single customer and emphasizing the importance of developing additional partnerships to ensure scalability and long-term success. 5. Relationship Between Founders and Investors: Exploring the importance of transparency, communication, and trust between founders and investors, highlighting the iterative nature of early-stage business development and decision-making. 6. Discussing Deep Tech Trend in the US: Analyzing the factors driving the growth of deep tech investments, including shifts in market dynamics, increased R&D investment from corporations, and changes in the funding landscape. ------------------------ MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST: - Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more: https://www.thescenarionist.org/ - Stay in the loop with our latest news: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thescenarionist/ - Let’s connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmarchese-md/ ------------------------ #entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital