Mike Sims

Founder @GrowBase 🚀 Helping startups replace pitch decks with real traction. Building in public. Hard truths about startups + fundraising.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@ItsARP, am I the only one mentally drawing a parallel between Millz/Organik and Aries Spears/Vlad?

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

I uncovered the hidden bottleneck slowing my startup.

It wasn't traction, fundraising, or a bad pitch.

The real structural issue: Launch Readiness.

See what may be slowing yours: https://t.co/4CFQ0dVgM1

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

I lined up two investor meetings for next week. But now, I got a 55/100 investor readiness score, and it's uncovered some weaknesses that have me feeling nervous

Should I postpone and fix the issues first?

https://t.co/ARgfDSHUeq

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

I'm meeting an investor next week, and honestly, I thought I'd score better. Now, this exposed some weaknesses I didn't even consider.
https://t.co/Nfw5VD3CO5

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

I'm meeting with a potential investor next week. A 68 is good, I guess... but honestly, this exposed some weaknesses that make me a bit nervous.
https://t.co/Nfw5VD3CO5

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

Hmm. I have a meeting with a potential investor next week and I don't know how to feel about this. Kind of exposed some weaknesses I wasn't expecting.

https://t.co/Nfw5VD3CO5

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

The #1 pitch mistake I see? OVER-EXPLAINING.

If you need 20 minutes to clarify what you "really meant," you've already lost the room. Investors don't see complexity as "intelligence." Nope, to them, it sounds like RISK.

Complexity is confusing. Clarity is fundable.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

If an investor says "...interesting..." that doesn't mean they are INTERESTED.

That's what I tell my kids when they show me the MUD and CAT LITTER SANDWICH they just made... "umm.... interesting...."

That's NOT what you want to hear after you've pitched your heart out.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

The most dangerous pre-seed metric is PIPELINE VALUE.

Having $3m in the pipeline isn't traction, it's nothing more than a projection. Investors aren't funding what MIGHT close, they fund what HAS closed, and what is repeatable.

1 paying customer > 1,000 in the pipeline.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@EntrepGrow Haha too many ideas… not enough me to follow through on 44 of them lol

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@Luv_Xcuses 100,000 times over. And I hope I can be half the man and father he is in this life.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@KevinSzabo14 If the Romans had AI, it would have been built in a weekend.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@rashiumapathi Ohhhh, that's good. That's right on the money.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@parkerworth For sure -- and they like being advised. If they trust you as the expert, they'll accept your recommendation (your product) without hesitation.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@DougKennedy93 Agreed. It's like in life -- I don't need the same advice as a teenager as I need when I'm 37.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@sabakarimm "Interesting" = not interesting at all, and I actually hate you and your idea.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@henkjan Love that. No one goes into a war fully prepared, but once you're in the war zone, you better start shooting!

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@1960dude Yep it's not a "product" either. In fact, I think 90% of founders have no idea what a startup really is.

[Mike Sims @MikeSimsTL]

@henkjan Back then, I 100% felt ready.... I 1,000% was not lol.. but I certainly agree. Just start.