SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 15
Download to read offline
http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
VanVR: The Business of VR
Thinking about
Investment for your VR
Startup
Q4 2015
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Boris Mann
• COO, HUMAN — http://ishuman.co
• Managing Partner, Full Stack — http://fullstack.ca
• Founding Director, Open Angel — http://openangel.ca
• Over 10 years of community building in Vancouver
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Venture Businesses
• Are you building a venture business?
• All businesses are not a candidate for venture investment
• Big idea, big market, big growth, big outcomes
• For the purposes of this presentation, I’ll be talking about venture
businesses
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Big Hairy Audacious Goal
• You need a BHAG
• Vision and purpose that form core passion & “true north” for the company
& team
• You also need an execution plan:
• What can you build and sell today?
• Prove you can ship
• Charge money to prove early demand OR show end user traction OR find investors
who believe in your big vision
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Early Stage Funding
• Pre Seed: < $500K
• Working code & customers
• Seed: > $500K to $1.x M
• Paying customers or significant traction
• Series A: $1M++
• At least one known, repeatable sales channel / distribution model
Day job
F&F
$30K prototype
Cofounder
Accelerators
Futurpreneur
Consulting
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
VR Landscape - 234 companies, $13B
• Application / Content
• Tools / Platform
• VR Content Studio
• Reality Capture
• VR Content Distribution Platform
• Infrastructure
• HMD
• User Input
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Market Segmentation
• Types of VR Experiences
• Film
• Gaming
• Practical
• Types of Headsets
• Powered Headsets
• PhoneVR
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
What’s your business model?
• Film / Gaming Studio
• Hits driven
• Large teams
• Need to continually sell units
• Need “web” marketing & advertising skills
• Any plans for recurring revenue?
• Hardware
• It’s hard, and the giants are in already
• B2B / SaaS
• Find early customers, solve their pain
• Charge money right away
• Recurring revenue
• B2D
• Dev tools, SDKs, analytics, etc.
• B2C
• Works at scale
• Really hard, lots of $$$ to get to scale
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
11 Pitch Types (Jason Shen)
• #1 Traction
• #2 X for Y
• #3 Personal Story
• #4 Pivot / Offshoot
• #5 Evolution Next
• #6 Painting the Future
• #7 Service at Scale
• #8 Wouldn’t it be cool if
• #9 Insane Tech
• #10 The Dream Team
• #11 Consumerification of
Enterprise
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
Prayer is not a strategy
• I’m praying that I can sell units in the future
• How do you de-risk?
• How do you stay alive as the wave crests?
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
The Consulting Trap
• We’re going to do consulting while working on our product on the side
• Wow, we’re busy and need to hire people to work on these projects!
• (too busy to work on product)
• Wow, we have all of these people and need to find more consulting work
to pay them
• (too busy to work on product)
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
The Consulting Upside
• Learn using other peoples’ money
• Involvement in a number of different areas
• Invest in internal tooling, expertise
• Feel the pain yourself, discover then build
–Mark MacLeod, @StartupCFO
The best investors don’t want to just fund
revenue growth, they want to create the future.
When you look back at the biggest startup
successes, they are all based on a simple, clear
insight about the future of a market.
http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
THANK YOU
Email: boris@ishuman.co
Twitter: @bmann / @isHumanCo
Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo
References
• VR Landscape, Venture Beat
• http://venturebeat.com/2015/10/12/the-landscape-of-vr-is-complicated-with-234-
companies-valued-at-13b/
• 11 Startup Pitch Archetypes, Jason Shen
• http://www.jasonshen.com/2012/eleven-compelling-startup-pitch-archetypes-with-
examples-from-yc-companies/

More Related Content

Similar to Thinking about investment for your VR Startup

Social Media Recruitment: an Introduction
Social Media Recruitment: an IntroductionSocial Media Recruitment: an Introduction
Social Media Recruitment: an IntroductionAlex Bond
 
Marketing march2014
Marketing march2014Marketing march2014
Marketing march2014devansroc
 
Brilliant PR on a Startup Budget
Brilliant PR on a Startup BudgetBrilliant PR on a Startup Budget
Brilliant PR on a Startup BudgetCourtney Myers
 
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket Guide
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket GuideLaunching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket Guide
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket GuideBrian Kelly
 
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for app
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for appDreamOn- Marketing Plan for app
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for appAnshi Madhwar
 
How to think like startup
How to think like startupHow to think like startup
How to think like startupRoomian.org
 
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016David Forster
 
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investors
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investorsHow to sell your business idea to your customers & investors
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investorsEspeo Software
 
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdf
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdfBoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdf
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdfBusiness of Software Conference
 
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | Startup
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | StartupSMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | Startup
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | StartupSouthern Methodist University
 
Untangling spring week3
Untangling spring week3Untangling spring week3
Untangling spring week3Derek Jacoby
 
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa Workshop
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa WorkshopInfluencer Marketing - Social Samosa Workshop
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa WorkshopAnaggh Desai
 
TTA Bootcamp
TTA BootcampTTA Bootcamp
TTA Bootcamp昀 李
 
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal Translation
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal TranslationNew globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal Translation
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal TranslationLorraine Artur de La Villarmois
 
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)Marcin Szeląg
 
Marketing 101 for Startups
Marketing 101 for StartupsMarketing 101 for Startups
Marketing 101 for StartupsStartupcentral
 
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2Henry S
 

Similar to Thinking about investment for your VR Startup (20)

Social Media Recruitment: an Introduction
Social Media Recruitment: an IntroductionSocial Media Recruitment: an Introduction
Social Media Recruitment: an Introduction
 
Marketing march2014
Marketing march2014Marketing march2014
Marketing march2014
 
Brilliant PR on a Startup Budget
Brilliant PR on a Startup BudgetBrilliant PR on a Startup Budget
Brilliant PR on a Startup Budget
 
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket Guide
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket GuideLaunching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket Guide
Launching A Startup in 2017: A Founder's Pocket Guide
 
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for app
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for appDreamOn- Marketing Plan for app
DreamOn- Marketing Plan for app
 
How to think like startup
How to think like startupHow to think like startup
How to think like startup
 
EIA2019Italy - Product-Market Fit - Jeff Abbott
EIA2019Italy - Product-Market Fit - Jeff AbbottEIA2019Italy - Product-Market Fit - Jeff Abbott
EIA2019Italy - Product-Market Fit - Jeff Abbott
 
Lee Hecht Harrison Startup
Lee Hecht Harrison Startup Lee Hecht Harrison Startup
Lee Hecht Harrison Startup
 
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016
Edmonton Alberta Google Partners Recap - Sept 2016
 
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investors
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investorsHow to sell your business idea to your customers & investors
How to sell your business idea to your customers & investors
 
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdf
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdfBoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdf
BoSON22 | Rich Mironov | Resolving Incompatible World Views - Slides.pdf
 
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | Startup
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | StartupSMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | Startup
SMU Starting a Business | Social Media | Digital Strategy | Startup
 
Untangling spring week3
Untangling spring week3Untangling spring week3
Untangling spring week3
 
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa Workshop
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa WorkshopInfluencer Marketing - Social Samosa Workshop
Influencer Marketing - Social Samosa Workshop
 
TTA Bootcamp
TTA BootcampTTA Bootcamp
TTA Bootcamp
 
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal Translation
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal TranslationNew globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal Translation
New globe translations - From Trailing Spouse to Legal Translation
 
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)
Before Growth - where things can go wrong. (Startup Risk Model)
 
Marketing 101 for Startups
Marketing 101 for StartupsMarketing 101 for Startups
Marketing 101 for Startups
 
Social marketing
Social marketingSocial marketing
Social marketing
 
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2
Velocity Campus - Customer Discovery 2
 

More from Boris Mann

Nuts & Bolts of Interactive Retail
Nuts & Bolts of Interactive RetailNuts & Bolts of Interactive Retail
Nuts & Bolts of Interactive RetailBoris Mann
 
Embracing Social Media
Embracing Social MediaEmbracing Social Media
Embracing Social MediaBoris Mann
 
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn Raising
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn RaisingOpen Data Semantic Web Community Barn Raising
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn RaisingBoris Mann
 
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009Boris Mann
 
Muse Smaug Demo
Muse Smaug DemoMuse Smaug Demo
Muse Smaug DemoBoris Mann
 
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your Data
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your DataGetting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your Data
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your DataBoris Mann
 
3stages Wdn08 V3
3stages Wdn08 V33stages Wdn08 V3
3stages Wdn08 V3Boris Mann
 

More from Boris Mann (7)

Nuts & Bolts of Interactive Retail
Nuts & Bolts of Interactive RetailNuts & Bolts of Interactive Retail
Nuts & Bolts of Interactive Retail
 
Embracing Social Media
Embracing Social MediaEmbracing Social Media
Embracing Social Media
 
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn Raising
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn RaisingOpen Data Semantic Web Community Barn Raising
Open Data Semantic Web Community Barn Raising
 
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009
Practical Semantic Web and Why You Should Care - DrupalCon DC 2009
 
Muse Smaug Demo
Muse Smaug DemoMuse Smaug Demo
Muse Smaug Demo
 
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your Data
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your DataGetting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your Data
Getting out of Silo, Using Open Source Software to Share your Data
 
3stages Wdn08 V3
3stages Wdn08 V33stages Wdn08 V3
3stages Wdn08 V3
 

Recently uploaded

TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...
TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...
TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...TalentView
 
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessQ2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessAPCO
 
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursDeveloping Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursKaiNexus
 
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdf
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdfAMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdf
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdfJohnCarloValencia4
 
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig OnlineTo Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Onlinelng ths
 
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfGraham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfAnhNguyen97152
 
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing ExamplesIntellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing Examplesamberjiles31
 
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyAnyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyHanna Klim
 
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfPDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfHajeJanKamps
 
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup Berlin
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup BerlinSlicing Work on Business Agility Meetup Berlin
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup BerlinAnton Skornyakov
 
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...Khaled Al Awadi
 
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxIntroduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxJemalSeid25
 
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsData skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsyasinnathani
 
MC Heights construction company in Jhang
MC Heights construction company in JhangMC Heights construction company in Jhang
MC Heights construction company in Jhangmcgroupjeya
 
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfTalent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfCharles Cotter, PhD
 
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...IMARC Group
 
7movierulz.uk
7movierulz.uk7movierulz.uk
7movierulz.ukaroemirsr
 
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023Steve Rader
 

Recently uploaded (20)

TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...
TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...
TalentView Webinar: Empowering the Modern Workforce_ Redefininig Success from...
 
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for BusinessQ2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
Q2 2024 APCO Geopolitical Radar - The Global Operating Environment for Business
 
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, OursDeveloping Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours
 
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdf
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdfAMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdf
AMAZON SELLER VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PRODUCT RESEARCH .pdf
 
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig OnlineTo Create Your Own Wig Online  To Create Your Own Wig Online
To Create Your Own Wig Online To Create Your Own Wig Online
 
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV IndustriesInvestment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
Investment Opportunity for Thailand's Automotive & EV Industries
 
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdfGraham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
Graham and Doddsville - Issue 1 - Winter 2006 (1).pdf
 
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing ExamplesIntellectual Property Licensing Examples
Intellectual Property Licensing Examples
 
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdfWAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation Mar 25 2024.pdf
 
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agencyAnyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
Anyhr.io | Presentation HR&Recruiting agency
 
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdfPDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
PDT 89 - $1.4M - Seed - Plantee Innovations.pdf
 
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup Berlin
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup BerlinSlicing Work on Business Agility Meetup Berlin
Slicing Work on Business Agility Meetup Berlin
 
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...NewBase  25 March  2024  Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
NewBase 25 March 2024 Energy News issue - 1710 by Khaled Al Awadi_compress...
 
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptxIntroduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
Introduction to The overview of GAAP LO 1-5.pptx
 
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story pointsData skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
Data skills for Agile Teams- Killing story points
 
MC Heights construction company in Jhang
MC Heights construction company in JhangMC Heights construction company in Jhang
MC Heights construction company in Jhang
 
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdfTalent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
Talent Management research intelligence_13 paradigm shifts_20 March 2024.pdf
 
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
Boat Trailers Market PPT: Growth, Outlook, Demand, Keyplayer Analysis and Opp...
 
7movierulz.uk
7movierulz.uk7movierulz.uk
7movierulz.uk
 
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023
NASA CoCEI Scaling Strategy - November 2023
 

Thinking about investment for your VR Startup

  • 1. http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo VanVR: The Business of VR Thinking about Investment for your VR Startup Q4 2015
  • 2. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Boris Mann • COO, HUMAN — http://ishuman.co • Managing Partner, Full Stack — http://fullstack.ca • Founding Director, Open Angel — http://openangel.ca • Over 10 years of community building in Vancouver
  • 3. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Venture Businesses • Are you building a venture business? • All businesses are not a candidate for venture investment • Big idea, big market, big growth, big outcomes • For the purposes of this presentation, I’ll be talking about venture businesses
  • 4. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Big Hairy Audacious Goal • You need a BHAG • Vision and purpose that form core passion & “true north” for the company & team • You also need an execution plan: • What can you build and sell today? • Prove you can ship • Charge money to prove early demand OR show end user traction OR find investors who believe in your big vision
  • 5. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Early Stage Funding • Pre Seed: < $500K • Working code & customers • Seed: > $500K to $1.x M • Paying customers or significant traction • Series A: $1M++ • At least one known, repeatable sales channel / distribution model Day job F&F $30K prototype Cofounder Accelerators Futurpreneur Consulting
  • 6. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo VR Landscape - 234 companies, $13B • Application / Content • Tools / Platform • VR Content Studio • Reality Capture • VR Content Distribution Platform • Infrastructure • HMD • User Input
  • 7. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Market Segmentation • Types of VR Experiences • Film • Gaming • Practical • Types of Headsets • Powered Headsets • PhoneVR
  • 8. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo What’s your business model? • Film / Gaming Studio • Hits driven • Large teams • Need to continually sell units • Need “web” marketing & advertising skills • Any plans for recurring revenue? • Hardware • It’s hard, and the giants are in already • B2B / SaaS • Find early customers, solve their pain • Charge money right away • Recurring revenue • B2D • Dev tools, SDKs, analytics, etc. • B2C • Works at scale • Really hard, lots of $$$ to get to scale
  • 9. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo 11 Pitch Types (Jason Shen) • #1 Traction • #2 X for Y • #3 Personal Story • #4 Pivot / Offshoot • #5 Evolution Next • #6 Painting the Future • #7 Service at Scale • #8 Wouldn’t it be cool if • #9 Insane Tech • #10 The Dream Team • #11 Consumerification of Enterprise
  • 10. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo Prayer is not a strategy • I’m praying that I can sell units in the future • How do you de-risk? • How do you stay alive as the wave crests?
  • 11. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo The Consulting Trap • We’re going to do consulting while working on our product on the side • Wow, we’re busy and need to hire people to work on these projects! • (too busy to work on product) • Wow, we have all of these people and need to find more consulting work to pay them • (too busy to work on product)
  • 12. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo The Consulting Upside • Learn using other peoples’ money • Involvement in a number of different areas • Invest in internal tooling, expertise • Feel the pain yourself, discover then build
  • 13. –Mark MacLeod, @StartupCFO The best investors don’t want to just fund revenue growth, they want to create the future. When you look back at the biggest startup successes, they are all based on a simple, clear insight about the future of a market.
  • 14. http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo THANK YOU Email: boris@ishuman.co Twitter: @bmann / @isHumanCo
  • 15. Boris Mann, @bmann HUMAN • http://ishuman.co • @IsHumanCo References • VR Landscape, Venture Beat • http://venturebeat.com/2015/10/12/the-landscape-of-vr-is-complicated-with-234- companies-valued-at-13b/ • 11 Startup Pitch Archetypes, Jason Shen • http://www.jasonshen.com/2012/eleven-compelling-startup-pitch-archetypes-with- examples-from-yc-companies/