The Art of the Start/Kawasaki 145-147

147 Investors are looking for people who can implement ideas, not simply come up with them.

Here are the fine points of using an NDA:

Never ask an investor to sign one to have a first meeting or in the first meeting.

If you’re asking for an NDA to merely discuss your idea…you’re clueless.

Freely circulate your executive summary and PowerPoint pitch. They should not reveal your magic sauce.

It is reasonable for an interested investor to ask this (NDA) in the due diligence stage.

Once patents are filed, you should feel pretty safe in discussing your magic sauce under an NDA.

The bottom line is still that the best protection of an idea is great implementation of the idea.

When do I stop trying to find/negotiate a better deal and take what’s offered?...It’s a good idea to stop looking and negotiating if you can’t meet payroll. If the deal that you’re offered is within 20 percent of what you wanted.