Preparing kids to become startup founders by having them do pitch contests is like preparing kids to become pilots by having them run around the room with their arms stuck out, making whooshing noises.
The idea comes last. The way you actually prepare is by learning how to build things.
Pitch contests are not merely useless, but actively misleading, because they train people that the audience they have to convince is investors, when actually it's customers.
I've had to tell a lot of founders not to care so much about investors' opinion of them.
I have never once told a founder not to care so much about customers' opinion of them.
I have never once told a founder not to care so much about customers' opinion of them.
