Entrepreneurs looking to raise money are advised to practice how they ask for it. Now they have an opportunity to do so in a casual environment.
Raleigh venture capital investor Lookout Ventures is starting a recurring monthly event called “Pints & Pitches.” Lookout said that the motivation for the event is to reduce the anxiety that some entrepreneurs feel about raising money and providing an informal environment for pitching. Lookout Ventures is a division of Lookout Capital.
Each month, founders and executives from up to three Triangle companies will have an hour to talk with Lookout staff, investors and associates about their respective ventures. Entrepreneurs may do a live investment presentation, a practice pitch and then receive feedback from Lookout. They may also informally discuss company activities an plans.
Lookout will provide draft beer from a local craft brewery and some refreshments. Entrepreneurs who are not presenting are invited to watch. The monthly event will be hosted at Lookout’s offices at 7 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh.
“Our hope is that this is a positive step in demystifying capital raising and building relationships among the entrepreneurial community in the Triangle,” Walt Clarke, director of Lookout Ventures, said in a statement.
The first Pints & Pitches will be held on January 2 and will be held in subsequent months on the first Thursday of the month. Lookout has time slots at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. To get a slot, companies should e-mail a pitch deck to Clarke at wclarke@lookoutcapital.com and await a confirmation and time slot.
