If you don't love your idea, don't do it.

As well as this point, Nick Gerritsen, speaking at Supercharge, a recent startup event that attracted 150+ in Wellington, said that it is possible to smash it big from Aotearoa.

Not that it is easy to do it from here, or from anywhere – given that well over 90% of startups don't manage to carry on as operating companies (though that's not failure).

Gerritsen, who has founded and grown a number of ventures such as Carbonscape (charcoal and very valuable components through microwaving) and Nxtfuels (algae-derived renewable hydrocarbons).

[caption id="attachment_2732" align="aligncenter" width="270"] Nick Gerritsen, Crisp Start[/caption]

Here's 10 key points he made, along with celebrating the fact of being a Kiwi.

1. Quality

• Quality of your proposal

  • How does it stand out?
  
  
  • Why is it unique?
  
  
  • Massive impact?
  
  
  • What's it going to take?
  
  
  
  

• How disruptive can you be?

  • What stage are you at and does it matter?
  
  
  • Low hanging fruit?
  
  
  • How fast can you move?
  
  
  • Global?
  
  
  
  

• What is your defensible position?

  • What is the IP?
  
  
  • Any big gorillas on your side?
  
  
  • Scale to market?
  
  
  • What is there to invest in?
  
  
  
  

• Compelling plan

  • How much and for what?
  
  
  • Own the use of fund?
  
  
  • Does the 'ask' match the 'potential'?
  
  
  • Capitalisation trajectory
  
  
  • Build the capability picture
  
  
  • (The way to build credibility is by having capable people in your team)
  
  
  
  

• The right flavour of capital?

  • Venture (vulture)?
  
  
  • Strategic
  
  
  • Can you get there with partnerships?
  
  
  • Sample the mix
  
  
  • (There is an opportunity for NZ at the moment; multinationals are under pressure. They know they have to change...and are talking to cool early stage companies, even if they are from NZ)
  
  
  
  

• How authentic are you?

  • Is it about the $ or real change
  
  
  • Use the Kiwi humility card
  
  
  • Earn respect
  
  
  • Under promise and over deliver
  
  
  
  

• Remember that most over-sell

  • Understand the culture
  
  
  • Target your pitch
  
  
  • Research the portfolios (of people pitching to)
  
  
  • Ensure it makes sense
  
  
  • Be nice
  
  
  
  

• Commit to following up

  • Be part of the team
  
  
  • Reach out
  
  
  • Admit to problems and ask for help
  
  
  • Be there
  
  
  
  

• Continually look for tipping points

  • Don't get too complacent/comfortable
  
  
  • Drive results
  
  
  • Remain open to opportunities (not locked into your plan)
  
  
  • Trash the founder syndrome (to be successful, you'll have to build a team)
  
  
  • Deliver, deliver, deliver
  
  
  
  

• Always leave something on the table

  • Everyone has to win
  
  
  • Bad energy will always limit progress
  
  
  • Generosity pays
  
  
  • Achieve liquidity for ALL
  
  
  • Get ready for the next one/build a following