The Seedcamp interviews were to be conducted on 9th September and our designated time slot was the oddly precise 17:06. We were asked to be at the venue near Oxford Street half an hour before with our presentation on an otherwise blank USB stick. The only other instructions were to “Turn up at the right place and time”.
Our idea of attack was simple; we walk confidently into the room, make eye contact, smile and introduce ourselves, perhaps crack a light-hearted joke and then gently work into delivery of the presentation itself having engaged both personally and emotionally with everyone in the room.
Reality bestowed an alternative experience on us.
Waiting outside the judgment room we were models of zen-like serenity; I, fascinated in their fish tank and the number of wireless routers they seemed to have. Jonny nonchalantly ambling around the area mulling over potential answers to inevitable questions and Dave, reclining on a beanbag thumbing through e-office, faux-literature.
Our little bubble of tranquility was in marked contrast to the poor gentleman who emerged from the judgment room immediately before us. His cracked smile worn through a veneer of perspiration spoke of the realisation of a greatest fear.
The people we really felt sorry for though were the judges. Forty, ten minute interviews in a single day could not have been much fun and the scene that greeted us was one of office squalor; twenty or so people crammed round a table designed for half as many and a room twice as large. Coffee cups outnumbered notepads and the haphazard arrangement of chairs suggested a fruitless jockeying for personal space.
To their credit, the room did not smell like one might have feared.
We were ushered to the far end of the room and before I had changed from the action of ‘walking’ to one of ’standing’ I had a controller thrust into my hand, accompanied with a warm smile and the word, “Go!”
I neatly ignored this and took a moment to compose myself, made sure that Jonny and Dave were comfortable, made eye-contact with everyone whose head was not buried in some form of Apple product and began.
Could you move? You’re standing in front of the screen
I’ll spare you the details of the presentation, suffice to say it was greeted with attention for the most part and some not inconsiderable laughs (intentional). The questions showed a surprising amount of both interest and understanding from about half the room and that we left with people’s hands still up was pleasing.
Emerging into the early evening of Wednesday in the West End, we generally felt we had portrayed ourselves and Advertag about as well as we could have expected for a first time out of the comforting cloak of stealth.
Good stuff guys. Let’s put it this way; if we don’t get to the final, they will have twenty, really good companies
Our key learnings were:
- Regardless of what you are told, always take your time and only start when you’re ready.
- Don’t assume the people you are presenting to are as excited in your subject as you are.
- Enjoy the questions! They aren’t trying to ‘catch you out’, this is your best chance to convey your knowledge and enthusiasm.
Next up: Part 4 – Success & Hotels
Ever pitched to a room of VC’s? Ever had that dream when you’re standing in front of a room of people and realise you’re naked? Comment about it below!
