FAQ
Unlock the answers to all your burning questions!
- About Demo Day
What is Demo Day?
Demo Day is an opportunity for all startups across the world to pitch their ideas to over 600+ investors and raise funding.
What is the date and time for upcoming Demo day?
Date and time for upcoming Demo Day is 17 September from 5pm SGT
Can I pitch for the Demo Day online?
Yes, The Startup Buddy has over 1600+ founders from 60 countries and they will be pitching completely online!
What kind of investors will I be pitching to?
Our global network of over 600 investors includes all types of investors interested in all industries. We have angel investors, venture capitalists, family offices, government representatives and accelerators joining us in-person and online from their home countries.
- Preparation for Demo Day
How can I prepare my pitch for Demo Day?
To prepare your pitch for the Demo Day, it is mandatory to participate in the Pitch Drill.
What is the Pitch Drill?
The Pitch Drill is for the sole purpose of making your pitch “investor proof” by assessing and providing suggestions to present the final pitch on the Demo Day.
When and where is Pitch Drill?
Once you have submited your application for demo day, our team will contact you to schedule Online Pitch Drill training with you.
Is there any training session for pitching?
Yes, for selected startups, there will be a pitch training session which will take place online.
- Fees and Pricing
What is the fee for pitching on Demo Day?
Please check the TSB Store for the different pricing options.
We distinguish 3 types of startups and pricing:
- The Startup Buddy Premium Pack members: You are paying subscriber on The Startup Buddy. Members always get a discount to pitch compared to non-members.
- Startups from developing countries: We try to support founders every where and therefore charge a significantly lower price to startups where the GDP per capita according to the IMF is < USD 20,000
- Regular pricing: This is the undiscounted price for everyone else.
To avoid abuse of the different listings you always initially pay the regular price. We will check your elligability to the your discounts and refund the difference.
When you are not selected to pitch, we will inform you and your full payment is refunded.
- Registration for Demo Day
How can I register myself to pitch on Demo day?
To register yourself for pitching on Demo Day you need to
1. Add Online Investor Pitching on The Startup Buddy Store
2 Submit your Pitch Deck
3 Subscribe to Premium Pack to avail discount.
How can I make my pitch investor proof?
The Startup Buddy can help you prepare your pitch by assessing and building it at the Demo Day Pitch Drill. The Pitch Drill is specifically designed to help you make your pitch “investor proof” by revamping your entire pitch using our pitch assessment tools and building products.
- Tools and Resources for Demo Day
What are the Pitch Assessment tools and building products?
The Startup Buddy Provides tools and products such as Live Pitching to The Startup Buddy Investors along with a 1 hour pitch drill training and Investor matching benefit.
Is there any fee for pitch assessment and building?
Yes, member fee is USD 599.99 and non-member USD 799.99
Can I get personal assistance to prepare for my pitch building?
Yes, you can find mentors on The Startup Buddy platform who will help you in pitch building and assessment
- Demo Day and COVID 19 outbreak
The Startup Buddy is an online platform with users from 60 countries which is why we have prepared to do this demo day completely online.
We are continuously monitoring the Singapore government announcements around the outbreak and we will adapt our program accordingly.
The The Startup Buddy Online Demo Day will follow through since at this moment we don't expect any impact on that because of the COVID 19 outbreak.
- What is the latest I can apply to Demo Day?
You can always apply to pitch for Demo Day. We have 1600 founders continuously building startups, so we will organize a Demo Day every 2 or 3 months. Subscribers of The Startup Buddy are informed first and get the first available slots.
Pitch Drill is done one day before a Demo Day and mandatory, so when you apply after that, you are automatically applying for the next Demo Day.
- For Investors attending Demo Day
Where do I get tickets for Demo Day?
You need to buy an "I'd like to Invest Demo Day" ticket to attend demo day. There is US$5.00 contribution to confirms your commitment to participate
Can I watch Demo Day online and how?
Yes, you can watch demo day online. To watch demo day online you need to buy an "I'd like to attend Demo Day" ticket.
What kind of startups can I expect to pitch on Demo Day?
The startups pitching at Demo Day belong to our community of over 1500 founders from 60 countries. The Startup Buddy is industry agnostic so we have a wide variety in our portfolio. For Demo Day, we have selected and prioritized startups for their business quality over the ability of their founders to deliver a pitch. Most of the startups pitching are post-revenue and need investment purely to scale.
How can I view the portfolio of companies on The Startup Buddy?
- Sign up on The Startup Buddy as Investor
- After you have verified your email, login again with your username and password
- Click on “Companies to fund” to browse through the portfolio of companies on The Startup Buddy
What happens when I add a startup to my favourites?
You can select your favourite startups and display them separately under the “Companies to Fund” section for easy access.
THE STARTUP BUDDY NEXT
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What is The Startup Buddy NEXT?
The new, gamified, and free for startups, investors, and mentors version of The Startup Buddy platform!
Thanks to the support and feedback of 4000 entrepreneurs, 1500 investors, and hundreds of mentors, accelerators, educators, and other innovators we are relaunching an entirely rebuilt online accelerator.
The Startup Buddy is still the place to go and learn how to build a business from scratch, available for all entrepreneurs anywhere around the world, 24x7. We just made it more fun:)
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What is the Accelerator As A Service?
Many schools, enterprises, and governments regularly initiate innovation programs or collaborate with innovative startups. Often they lack the experience and knowledge on how to effectively and successfully do so. The Startup Buddy Accelerator as a Service is a combination of our software platform and additional services which enables you to set up and start your program within 2 working days.
Check the PRICING page for the different offerings or book a DEMO here.
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How do I get started with The Startup Buddy NEXT?
Accelerators, innovators, educators, and enterprises
Schedule a DEMO HERE or EMAIL us. The standard program can be made available within 2 working days. We always advise you on the best option for you. To get an idea of the options check HERE.
Entrepreneurs, startup teams, investors, and mentors
Are you new to The Startup Buddy? Join totally free HERE. Already an account? Login using your existing account details HERE.
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How can I access my "old" The Startup Buddy data and account?
Your old profile is still available and accessible as you are used to HERE.
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How does The Startup Buddy NEXT work?
Visit our YouTube channel to get watch the explanation of The Startup Buddy NEXT platform for your specific role.
For specific questions on features, functions, buttons, and everything else it is best to use the CHAT function which you activate by clicking the bubble with our logo in the right bottom corner of your screen.
ACCELERATORS, EDUCATORS AND INNOVATORS
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Why are accelerators, educators, governments and enterprises The Startup Buddy customers?
Of course, there are very many different reasons that prefer to DEMO or tell you. A few points we regularly hear are:
- Standard program components of acceleration and innovation programs from around the world are built-in and ready to be used.
- Get started with your own program starting at $199,- per month. This is equivalent to ~2 hours of consultancy by most traditional accelerator organizers.
- Tap into a global community of startups, mentors, and investors of 4,000 platform users and 11,000 (social)media followers.
- Set up international market expansion and exchange programs within days.
- Your program dashboard provides real-time data, and reporting, is flexible to set up, and has a friendly user interface.
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Who are already using The Startup Buddy Accelerator As A Service?
The Startup Buddy is proud to have worked with many educators, accelerators, governments, and enterprises over the years like AWS APAC, Canada Technology Accelerator, Kickstart Bahrain, etc. We will be happy to put you in touch in case you like to learn from their experiences.
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What is the Accelerator As A Service?
Many schools, enterprises, and governments regularly initiate innovation programs or collaborate with innovative startups. Often they lack the experience and knowledge on how to effectively and successfully do so. The Startup Buddy Accelerator as a Service is a combination of our software platform and additional services which enables you to set up and start your program within 2 working days.
Check the PRICING page for the different offerings or book a demo here.
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How do I get started with The Startup Buddy NEXT?
Accelerators, innovators, educators, and enterprises
Schedule a DEMO HERE or EMAIL us. The standard program can be made available within 2 working days. We always advise you on the best option for you. To get an idea of the options check HERE.
Entrepreneurs, startup teams, investors, and mentors
Are you new to The Startup Buddy? Join totally free HERE. Already an account? Login using your existing account details HERE.
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What is a "program" on The Startup Buddy?
During setup, we create a "program code" for your organization. This code needs to be used by your program participants when they sign up.
This code ensures that your participants have access to all the features on the platform which are included in your license.
This code also ensures that your participants are directed through specific GOALS which you as the program organizer can define.
All the data and steps that your program participants create are accessible under your ORGANIZER ACCOUNT. This account provides you with a dashboard of the progress, allows you to make changes and for example select the best/most promising participants.
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What is an "organizer account"?
With your ORGANIZER ACCOUNT, you have an overview and can control everything that is happening within your The Startup Buddy program.
It provides a management dashboard to see high level what progress is being made and you can drill down into the details of every program participant.
It also allows you to change your own program by adding new GOALS or STEPS.
STARTUPS, INVESTORS AND MENTORS
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Why are startups, investors and mentors using The Startup Buddy?
There are too many reasons to list here and the quickest way to find out is by making your own free (1st reason) account. But a few motivations:
- Learn how to build a sustainable new business based on the best practices from around the world at your own speed wherever you are.
- Enjoy building your business while keeping track of it through your startup's gamified dashboard.
- Earn coins by completing GOALS for your business.
- Use these coins in the SHOP where you can unlock special partner offerings, events, and services.
- Did I already mention it is free?
- Network with a global community of 4000 startup entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors.
- Find your co-founder or next customer.
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Who are already using The Startup Buddy Accelerator As A Service?
The Startup Buddy is proud to be trusted and used by over 4000 users in more then 100 countries around the globe that are looking to built new businesses the right way.
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What is a "program" on The Startup Buddy?
The Startup Buddy Accelerator as a Service platform is used by enterprises, accelerators, and educators around the world to build and manage their specific programs.
To join one of those programs you need a PROGRAM CODE which you can get from the organizer.
You can also join a program by applying to it via the SHOP
Do you know a program that should be on The Startup Buddy? Email us at [email protected] or get in touch via the chat.
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How do I get started with The Startup Buddy NEXT?
Entrepreneurs, startup teams, investors, and mentors
Are you new to The Startup Buddy? Join totally free HERE. Already an account? Login using your existing account details HERE.
Accelerators, innovators, educators, and enterprises
Schedule a DEMO HERE or EMAIL us. The standard program can be made available within 2 working days. We always advise you on the best option for you. To get an idea of the options check HERE.
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What is a GOAL?
Building your business takes a lot of work, time, and determination. It gets easier by setting GOALS to focus on.
On The Startup Buddy, a GOAL is a series of STEPS that guide you through doing the right things for your company that you typically have to do at that stage.
A GOAL is split into 4 or 5 STEPS and most STEPS have 3 to 5 actions or questions that you need to complete.
When you complete all STEPS of a GOAL you automatically get new COINS added to your account which you can use to unlock new features, events, networking options, etc.
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What is a COIN and what is it for?
By working on The Startup Buddy and finishing your GOALS, you automatically earn COINS that can be used within the platform to unlock new features, opportunities, and networking options. The startups which make the fasted progress (have the most COINS) also have more visibility for the INVESTORS, MENTORS, and other PROGRAMS. The COINS can be used to unlock:
- Events
- Network with people you match with
- Partner discounts, credits, and services
- Avatars, backgrounds, etc for your dashboard
- And much more!
THE STARTUP BUDDY LEGACY SOFTWARE CUSTOMERS
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What is The Startup Buddy "legacy" software?
The Startup Buddy currently offers two software platforms. Anyone who has been a customer with The Startup Buddy before May 2023 has been using the "Legacy" software which can be accessed here. All features, functions, and offerings that you are used to are available and supported. This version will not be upgraded anymore.
To enjoy The Startup Buddy NEXT you can log in here by using the same login details. Your data have NOT been migrated. They stay available on the "Legacy" platform.
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How can I cancel my paid membership?
Canceling your membership can only be done by the owner of an account by following these steps:
- Login on The Startup Buddy Legacy
- Open the menu on the left side of your screen and click "My Membership"
- In the "My Membership" screen you click "Change Plan"
- To cancel a paid membership select "Ideation Membership"
- Confirm by clicking "Pay FREE".
- Your paid membership is now cancelled and you won't get future charges anymore.
NOTE: Changing your membership is your responsibility. The Startup Buddy does not cancel memberships on your behalf unless there is a technical error.
NOTE: The Startup Buddy does not refund your membership fees unless you have been charged for a mistake we made.
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Why are memberships not refundable?
The Startup Buddy Legacy software platform is paid for by the users depending on what they have access to. The "Ideation Membership" is totally free.
The other memberships give access to partner benefits, our community network, investors, and dedicated events.
You receive access to these services immediately upon upgrading your membership. It is your responsibility to make a conscious decision about that. We are always happy to help you choose the best option.
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What should I do when my credit card has been wrongly charged?
All membership payments on The Startup Buddy are checked and processed through Stripe, one of the largest and most trusted online payment solutions in the world.
The Startup Buddy does NOT have access to any other (payment) information as what has been provided when setting up a membership.
If you suspect your payment information has been abused to set up an account on The Startup Buddy follow these exact steps and we will refund the payment:
- Inform us immediately, but latest within 5 days of the payment. In your message let us know the last 4 digits of your payment method.
- Inform your bank that your payment solution (debit or credit card) has been compromised and sent us a copy of this message.
- Upon receipt of both of the above, we will cancel your membership and refund your payment.
NOTE: We will only consider cancellations and refunds when you sent us proof of informing your bank about the potential misuse of your details. We do NOT have the possibility to set up payments without your knowledge, so in any other scenario we assume you setup the membership yourself.