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About invisible founders
+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London
Vasily Alekseenko
August 09, 2024
Invisible Founders
Superheroes with their superpowers might seem like science fiction, but one “power” that’s all too real is invisibility.
We’ve all felt invisible at times—whether to our parents as kids, to the cool kids at school, or to someone we’re interested in. This sense of invisibility can feel disheartening, not at all empowering.
Earlier this week, we took to the streets of London to encourage more founders to apply to pitch at London’s Largest Demo Day before the deadline next week.
During this effort, I experienced invisibility firsthand. People avoided eye contact and would not even let look at me, let alone talk to me. This made me empathize deeply with those who face this daily—like the homeless or those with disabilities.
It also made me think about founders trying to catch investors’ attention. To many investors, founders are invisible, as they are simply faceless applications and metrics. Breaking through this barrier feels nearly impossible.
But here’s a thought: 99% of founders are doing the same things—automated cold outreach, pitching to every single investor (regardless of what this investor is interested in) and hoping their unique idea will win everyone over.
To truly make an impact, think how you can do things differently to what other 99% of founders are doing. What can you do to make an investor—or anyone— really take notice?
Practical Tips:
Break the Routine: Stop for a moment and think about how others are handling their outreach (if you don’t know, ask someone). Just because everyone is doing something a certain way doesn’t mean it’s effective. Sometimes, what’s overused becomes less effective.
For example, instead of relying solely on digital marketing, why don’t you create and distribute your own newspaper to reach your target audience.
Another example: instead of just using email or LinkedIn for outreach, try picking up the phone. No one calls anymore, so it can be a refreshing change and you might be surprised how many investors would give you their time simply because you made an effort.
Add Value Beyond Money: When talking to investors, don’t just ask for funding or pretend you need their advice. Instead, see if you can help them, be it relevant introductions to other investors or founders who might be more relevant for them than you. Play a long game!
Personal Touch: Make an effort to get to know your investors. Invite them for coffee or lunch. This personal touch can make a big difference and help build a genuine connection.
Our street experiment didn’t achieve our goal of connecting with many founders, but we did grab attention! It reinforced a crucial lesson: to stand out, be different, and embrace discomfort.
Learning to stand out and take risks opens doors to limitless possibilities, whether in fundraising, business, or daily life. If you want to succeed as a founder, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
OPPORTUNITY OF THE YEAR🔥
 | Rare FoundersLondon’s Largest Demo Day - Apply to pitch now!Calling all founders! 📢 Applications to pitch at our big Demo Day in Oct are closing down soon. Apply now to get exposure to hundreds of investors. Application deadline: 16 Aug 2024 |
RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS🔥
 | Rare FoundersStartup RunBi-weekly 5k running events for anyone in the startup ecosystem, followed by networking drinks in the nearby pub. Same time same, place. In-person event Green Park, London, W1J 9DZ, UK Thu 22 Aug, 18:00 - 22:00 BST |
 | Rare Founders & HotbedFounder Pitch RelayEver wondered how others pitch your startup when you're not in the room? As a founder, you'll often have other people pitching your startup on your behalf, whether it's through introductions, or because investors are pitching you to their committees / syndicates. Join us to learn what they're saying, and what key points they might be missing. In-person event Blue Marlin Ibiza London, 45 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3PT, UK Thu 29 Aug, 18:00 - 22:00 BST |
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OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
 | ScribeSupercharge your Outreach - Angel Investors on AutopilotJoin this webinar covering common investor outbound strategies, where Scribe will showcase how this can be automated using different tools. Online event Tue 13 Aug, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
 | NovabookPitch | The Founder & Angel Investor PartyJoin this event for an exclusive evening designed to connect ambitious founders with active angel investors. Fundraising during the summer can be challenging, but events like like this make it a bit easier. In-person event Marble Arch area, London, UK Wed 14 Aug, 18:30 - 23:00 BST |
 | Google AI Community Summer PartyThe sun is shining, and it's time to celebrate! We're excited to invite you to the Google AI Community Summer Party In-person event Google Central Saint Giles, 1 - 13 St Giles High Street, London, WC2H 8AG, UK Wed 14 Aug, 18:00 - 21:00 BST |
 | SeedLegalsHow to prepare your dataroom to be investment readyFind out what to include in your dataroom and how to share it effectively with angel investors. Online event Thu 15 Aug, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
 | UKBAAFuel For Growth: Financial Modelling For Your Next Investment RoundNavigating the fundraising process is one of the most critical challenges early-stage startups face. Join this insightful webinar where financial modelling will be demystified and you will be equiped with essential strategies to secure your early institutional funding round 💸 Online event Thu 15 Aug, 15:30 - 16:30 BST |
 | Founden.xyzCurated Social Poker NightJoin the elite circle of tech founders, investors, and operators for a regular evening of poker. Seats are as coveted as a royal flush. Secure your spot early and join a night where fortunes can turn on a dime, and a handshake can lead to your next venture. In-person event Canning Town area, London, UK Thu 15 Aug, 19:00 - 23:00 BST |
PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES🐣
 | shiftFintech incubator programIgnite is an exclusive incubator programme designed to transform disruptive fintech ideas into reality with financial support, expert guidance, and extensive industry networking. Applications to join close on the 12th of August. |
 | AntlerFast-Track to Antler's UK Autumn ResidencyDon't miss the chance to have an in-person interview with the Antler team at their London office on August 22 by applying before August 14. The fast-track opportunity ends on August 14. However, we will continue to consider applications after this date. |
 | ColorintechBlack Tech Fest 2024BTF brings together thousands of students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors thanks to support from numerous global influencers, brands, and policymakers. In-person event Drumsheds, London, UK Thu 10 Oct, 9:00 - 18:00 BST |
Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders
Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.
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