Is your pitch working or are people just being polite?Reality check from Techstars: If people give you a quizzical look and walk away politely, your pitch failed. If they ask questions or make connections, you're onto something.Test your pitch: https://toolkit.techstars.com/position-your-product

Why do founders suck at pitching?Techstars insight: Because they think pitching is for Demo Day. Wrong. Your pitch is your only weapon—it keeps you focused and tests if your business resonates.Master this weapon: https://toolkit.techstars.com/position-your-product

Is your vision wearing the right suit size?Techstars wisdom: Don't create a category name for who you are today. Create one you can grow into. Amazon started with books but the name allowed infinite expansion.Size your future: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design

What's your "lightning strike" moment?Learned from Techstars: You need lightning strikes—coordinated moments that jolt customers away from old thinking patterns and into your new category. One message won't cut it.Plan your strikes: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design

Is category design just fancy marketing?Techstars truth bomb: Category design isn't marketing or branding—it's company strategy. It determines how you build, sell, AND think about your entire business.Learn the difference: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design

Are you selling the solution or the problem?Game-changer from Techstars: Category leaders spend more time educating the market about the PROBLEM than their solution. The problem creates urgency; the solution just fills the need.Master this shift: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design

Is your category name killing your company?Techstars insight: If your category name is complex, no one will use it. The best category names are utilitarian, simple, and instantly understood. Think "smartphone" not "mobile telecommunications device."Name it right: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design

How do you rewire customer brains?Key insight from Techstars: Our brains naturally categorize everything. Category design isn't about your product—it's about creating new mental shortcuts in customers' minds.Start designing: https://toolkit.techstars.com/understand-category-design

What problem didn't we know we had until you showed us?Learned from Techstars: Steve Jobs didn't ask if we wanted an iPad. He showed us a problem we didn't realize existed, then owned the solution.Master this approach: https://toolkit.techstars.com/understand-category-design

Can you draw your category on a napkin?Key insight from Techstars: Your category blueprint should be visual and simple show, don't tell, how you solve the problem. If it's too complex to sketch, it's too complex to sell.Build your blueprint: https://toolkit.techstars.com/create-new-markets-category-design