Written By: Kelly Bryant
If you haven’t seen Netflix’s latest series Squid Game you’ve probably been living under a rock. It was only released last month and is “poised to become Netflix’s biggest non-English-language show in the world” according to Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO.
I will admit I had to pick my jaw up off the floor at the end of the first episode. The Korean thriller is bloody, violent and dark, but surprisingly addictive. Here’s the cliff notes: a contest is held on a remote island where 456 “players” (all in debt) agree to play a set of six deadly children’s games. The person who makes it through all six games alive wins a prize of 45.6 billion Korean Won.
I know what you’re thinking – “Kelly, what on earth does this have to do with raising capital?”
Hear me out… I was asked the other day what ‘success’ looks like when one of our founder’s has their first meeting with a venture capital firm. My answer? Getting invited to a second meeting. Much like Squid Game, your focus should be on getting through the first game, then the second game, then the third game… you get the idea.
Now I’m not saying that venture capital is anywhere near as life or death (although it does feel like it on occasion!) or that you should treat fundraising as a type of children’s game. Nonetheless, there are certainly similarities (albeit odd) when it comes to making it through “filters” to ultimately get a check.
In fact, it makes sense why entrepreneurs go into the fundraising process with their eye on the prize. There is a lot at stake in terms of the ultimate success or failure of your business. That said, if you keep one foot in front of the other and focus on the meeting in front of you, you’ll set yourself up for success in the long run.
So channel your inner Seong Gi-hun and get to work. Good luck!
Kerosene Ventures – Helping Great Founders Raise Capital