Only in startup fundraising does a ski lift make an ideal work environment. A lift ride is about as long as any investor would want a pitch to last, it enforces a definite and nonnegotiable stop time, and — at least on a beautiful 65 degree day that would otherwise be spent in an office — generally creates congenial passengers.
Venture capital firm Village Ventures‘ partner funds have been taking advantage of this ideal pitch environment since 2005 by inviting entrepreneurs and investors for a day on the slopes. At their Peak Pitch events, each of these groups wears a different color race bib (“Money wears green, vision wears blue,” explains Brad Svrluga, a managing director at host company, High Peaks Venture Partners). The riders can then match up for mid-air pitches at the base of the mountain.
Unsurprisingly, there are usually more entrepreneurs than investors, c ausing a buildup of blue bibs at the bottom of the ski lift where startups wait to pair up with investors. Still, it’s a better ratio than at other pitch events, says Joe Coleman, the co-founder of Contently, a company that matches freelance writers with publishers. Plus, the quality of time spent dangling over the ski slopes is hard to beat.
“I think the investors are more attentive to what you're talking about because they’re stuck on a lift with you, so they don't want to turn their shoulder and start talking on their BlackBerry or something,” Coleman says. “Are they in a better mood? I guess that depends on what kind of a skiers they are.”
There were definitely some wince-worthy tumbles by investors and startup founders alike at last Friday’s Peak Pitch held at Hunter Mountain. However, the event website promises that the “Ability to ski will not reflect on your abilities as an entrepreneur or investor.̶ 1; If history is any...
