It has been three long years since I last stepped foot on that stage. I thought I had it all under control, but as I stood behind the podium, a rush of uncertainty and nerves washed over me, just like it did the first time.

I had forgotten how to synchronize my thoughts with the content, how to effortlessly switch slides with the pointer, and even the arc of the narrative I was trying to share escaped my grasp.

Thankfully, my wife Tas came to my rescue. She suggested that I practice the presentation the night before, but the exhaustion from putting our little ones to bed took its toll on me.

The event, organized by our valued partners at Roynat Capital and Fasken, was a remarkable opportunity for VCs to pitch to founders. Unlike most pitch events where founders are put on the hot seat, this one was different. It gave us a chance to be on the other side.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Neelam and Ally for considering GetFresh Ventures and including us in the lineup. The focus of the event was fundraising, and we wanted to ensure that founders walked away with practical considerations as they embarked on their own fundraising journeys.

One of the most self-serving exercises for any founder at this stage is building a robust, defendable, and actionable Go To Market (GTM) strategy. This strategy should instill the highest confidence in revenue predictability.

When you have unwavering confidence in execution, bolstered by the traction you're gaining and your unwavering belief in your ability to build the engine that drives growth, it becomes pervasive and impossible for investors to ignore.

The ability to plan, predict, execute, deliver, and adapt to challenges stems from the clarity in your GTM approach. Investors love founders who possess determination and can defend and prove their trajectory, both through numbers and their unyielding passion.

Essentially, you need to make your venture more investible than the other ventures vying for attention at the investors' bi-weekly investment committee meetings.

So, what does it take to build a defensible GTM, especially one that you can execute, whether or not you secure venture investment? From a top-down perspective, it boils down to the following:

• Revenue projections by month, quarter, and year

• The unit economics that multiply to generate your revenue

• The sales tactics that will achieve those leading multiples

• The marketing activities and channels that drive leads to sales

• A clear customer journey and lifecycle that transform leads into prospects, buyers, and advocates

• Compelling messaging and narratives that drive awareness, interest, and decision-making for your solution

• A well-developed customer persona based on needs, buyer profiles, and user insights

• A product strategy and roadmap that aligns with your customers' needs

• The supporting cast and operational infrastructure necessary to bolster product, sales, marketing, and customer success

• The financials and capital required to support the GTM engine.

Once you have these elements in place, you'll be able to defend your GTM strategy confidently in front of investors.

Check the comments section for a link to the presentation.

Despite stumbling through the presentation, the joy of connecting with numerous local innovators left me feeling revitalized and reenergized. It reminded me of the endless possibilities right in our own backyard.