Go-to-market strategies for startups

Emergence Capital's Sean Jacobsohn gives a workshop class at Splash Oakland

Sean Jacobsohn, Partner at Emergence Capital joined us in our Palm Tree room during Vator Splash Oakland for workshops presented by entrepreneurs and venture capitals for entrepreneurs and investors.

On background, Jacobsohn said that Emergence Capital invests in 10 deals a year, out of 1200 qualified leads. If they consider all the startups that are put in front of them, it's about 5,000. 

In his presentation, he encourages entrepreneurs to focus on how to get the first $1 million, rather than showing off financials that show five-year revenue at $50 million. Most investors know that for startups, years 4 and 5 may look very different from year 1. So unless you can explain how you get to the first million, don't bother showing $50 million several years out.

Jacobsohn also talks about how to land channel partners. 

Thanks to our Vator Splash Oakland video sponsor, Oakland Forward and Bryan Parker.