Daniel Ahmadizadeh: Recent Episodes
Daniel Ahmadizadeh
Two years ago our company was in your shoes. X days before demo day. Counting down on the makeshift whiteboard in our Mountain View cottage. First off, congrats on getting through YC! Demo day feels like a graduation and us alumni are excited to support you in anyway we can on and after alumni demo day. You've heard that YC doesn't end at demo day and that is categorically true, regardless of which city you call home.
We were first time founders and having now gone through the experience of demo day, a $3.1m raise closed/wired within 10 days of demo day, and now shutting down a company and returning almost a million bucks back, I hope to share some of my experience, things I've observed, and some possible strategies that will allow you to make the most of this unique experience.
Below are things I wish someone asked me or spoke to me about and I'll dive into each in more depth. I also added a few that I heard from founders I was close with. If I'm missing anything / if anyone has alternative suggestions, please let me know:
- Aside from raising money at demo day, what are other outcomes that you can consider?
- Should we raise money and why?
- What would happen if we don't raise money?
- How should we raise money?
- What is the main goal of alumni demo day?
- Are we a startup or did we just grow really fast for 3 months?
- What is an outcome that I personally would be ok with?
- What is YCs goal with demo day and are our interests aligned?
- We don't have much traction, what should we do?
- Do you truly believe in your vision or have you painted a narrative that you now accept as truth that allows you to make it easier for you to raise money?
- Do you give a shit about the customers you are building software for and do you even need to?
- Is your startup the best environment for you to learn a unique insight?