Scott Kelly: How to Find and Pitch to Investors

Scott Kelly: How to Find and Pitch to Investors

Scott Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, a business accelerator that helps disruptive companies secure funding, grow sales, and scale faster through a network of over 13,000 investors and 40,000 business partners. With more than three decades of experience working with entrepreneurs and investors, Scott has trained thousands of salespeople and built a reputation for driving innovation and growth.

He is also the creator and host of VC Fast Pitch, a national series of investor-founder matchmaking events that connect startups with top venture capitalists and angel investors. Known as a dynamic MC and connector, Scott leverages his network to help founders and investors succeed.

In addition, Scott is a college professor and host of The Emerging Managers Podcast, where he explores why new VC funds might be the next great investment. Outside of work, he is a proud father and owner of Melvin, the company’s namesake mascot.

During the show we discussed:

- Building a list of potential investors
- Using LinkedIn to find investors
- The power of relationships in raising capital
- Creating the perfect pitch deck
- The importance of a due diligence checklist
- Knowing when to raise capital
- Angel investing vs. venture capital
- Finding local investor groups
- What sets Black Dog Venture Partners apart
- How the investor network benefits startups
- How business partners support growth
- The best-fit companies for the accelerator
- Client results and success stories
- What to expect at VC Fast Pitch events
- Common mistakes in investor pitching
- Preparing founders for investor meetings