Andrew Ackerman is a serial entrepreneur, startup mentor and early-stage investor. He has invested in over 70 startups and mentored hundreds more over the past 15 years. Previously, Andrew founded two companies and has a keen appreciation for how hard it is to build a successful startup, even under the best of circumstances. In addition to investing, Andrew consults for startups, venture and corporate venture funds, accelerators and venture studios.

PART I: LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A GREAT STARTUP, CHAPTER 1 - OPEN MIC NIGHT, STARTUP STYLE, CHAPTER 2 - IN THE END, THERE CANNOT BE ONLY ONE, CHAPTER 3 - A GOOD ELEVATOR PITCH PUSHES ALL THE RIGHT BUTTONS, CHAPTER 4 - TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS, CHAPTER 5 - LET'S GET PERSONAL, CHAPTER 6 - THE PERFECT PERSONA, CHAPTER 7 - THINK SMALL. THINK MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT, CHAPTER 8 - NEW PRODUCT FLOW, CHAPTER 9 - EATING UP CUSTOMER FEEDBACK, CHAPTER 10 - FULLY FED, CHAPTER 11 - DE-RISKING THE MODEL, PART II: PREPPING YOUR PITCH DECK, CHAPTER 12 - ORDERING THE NARRATIVE, CHAPTER 13 - JUDGING A DECK BY ITS COVER, CHAPTER 14 - HOLD THE SIZZLE, CHAPTER 15 - SOLVING THE PROBLEM, CHAPTER 16 - CO-FOUNDER WANTED, CHAPTER 17 - THERE'S NO COMPETITION, CHAPTER 18 - CO-FOUNDER... NOT, CHAPTER 19 - THE PRICE IS RIGHT (A.K.A. THE REVENUE MODEL), CHAPTER 20 - GO-TO-MARKET OR GO HOME, CHAPTER 21 - CO-FOUNDER WANTED (REDUX), CHAPTER 22 - (MARKET) SIZE MATTERS, CHAPTER 23 - THE ATTRACTION OF TRACTION, CHAPTER 24 - AVOIDING A FOUNDER EQUITY #FAIL, CHAPTER 25 - THE REGULATORY STORY, CHAPTER 26 - GETTING UP TO SPEED ON ACCELERATORS, CHAPTER 27 - 20/20 VISION, CHAPTER 28 - GETTING (MILE)STONED, CHAPTER 29 - THE ART OF THE ASK, CHAPTER 30 - TEAM (WHY, NOT WHO), CHAPTER 31 - SHOW ME THE MONEY FINANCIALS, PART III: FINDING AND MEETING INVESTORS, CHAPTER 32 - PROSPECTING FOR INVESTORS, CHAPTER 33 - "I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET..." (WARM INTRO REQUESTS), CHAPTER 34 - MASTERING THE INVESTOR MEETING, CHAPTER 35 - PORTCO JUJITSU, CHAPTER 36 - DRY FUNDS, CHAPTER 37 - PAY TO PLAY DOESN'T PAY, CHAPTER 38 - THE PERILS OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, CHAPTER 39 - MONTHLY UPDATE EMAILS FOR FUN AND FOMO, PART IV: SEALING THE DEAL, CHAPTER 40 - NOTES, SAFES, PRICED ROUNDS, CHAPTER 41 - TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, CHAPTER 42 - BEYOND VALUATION, CHAPTER 43 - SEALING THE DEAL, CHAPTER 44 - MONEY IN THE BANK