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Helping Founders Master the Art of Selling Without Slides

The Challenge:

Most International Founders Arrive in the U.S. With...

Strong technical backgrounds but limited understanding of American business culture

Confusion about what investors and customers really want to hear

Rehearsed pitches that don't work in casual conversations

Discomfort "selling" at networking events

The result? Missed opportunities at the exact moments that matter most.

Our Solution

Master the Cocktail Party Pitch

We teach founders to sell their vision while holding a wine glass—because if you can pitch your company in a social setting without slides, you can sell it anywhere.

Our Focus:

Founder-led sales in social situations

Cultural intelligence for the U.S. market

Objection handling that builds curiosity

Authentic relationship-building over rehearsed pitches

Proven Results

Michael Dobersberger

Austrian Trade Commissioner, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA San Francisco

"Ashley and Carl's masterclass offered a glimpse into a different side of Silicon Valley; one without electronics or rehearsed pitches, where founders have to dive into a social setting and must connect personally with Valley veterans to sell their vision. The session was very well received by all participating startups and provided the perfect counterbalance to the many pitch sessions."

Founder

European AI startup

"Before this workshop, I was pitching our technology. After, I learned to pitch the outcome our customers actually care about. That shift changed everything."

What Founders Learn

Sales & Cultural Intelligence

  • The POS Formula: Problem + Outcome + Story (60-second intros)
  • Bay Area sales hacks that work in conversation
  • Decoding American business culture ("That's interesting" ≠ interested)

Objection Handling

  • The ARR method: Acknowledge, Reframe, Re-engage
  • Converting skepticism into curiosity

Investor Readiness

  • What Bay Area investors really look for
  • Demonstrating coachability and momentum

Our Signature Format

The Cocktail Pitch (6 hours total)

Part 1: Masterclass (2 hours)

Interactive training on:

  • Founder-led sales fundamentals
  • Value-based selling techniques
  • Social persuasion skills
  • Live objection handling practice

Part 2: Evening Networking Event (4 hours)

Founders practice with real investors and customers

  • No podiums, no slides—just conversations
  • Real-time coaching from Ashley and Carl
  • Leave with actual connections and next steps

Outcome: If you can sell at a cocktail party, you can sell anywhere.

Sample Program:

Pre-Departure

  • 2-day In-Country Bootcamp

Silicon Valley (Week 1)

  • 3-day Intensive with masterclasses
  • The Cocktail Pitch evening event

Mid-Program

  • Business Model Pit Stop Breakfast
  • The Founders' Burger Lab

Follow-Up

  • 3 months virtual coaching

Result: Founders gained confidence, made real connections, and learned to navigate U.S. business culture authentically

What Makes Us Different

01

We Practice What We Teach

Active investors and operators, not consultants

02

Experiential Learning

Founders practice in real situations with real feedback

03

Cultural Translation

We explain why American business works differently

04

Lasting Relationships

Programs often lead to investments, partnerships, and ongoing coaching

05

Perfect Counterbalance

While others teach pitch decks, we teach the conversations that happen before and after

Who This Is For

Ideal Partner Organizations

  • Trade associations supporting market entry
  • Chambers of commerce with startup programs
  • Government agencies promoting international business
  • Accelerators with global cohorts

Ideal Founders

  • B2B SaaS and tech companies
  • Pre-seed to Series A
  • Product-market fit in home market
  • Serious about U.S. expansion

Let's Start a Conversation

Next Steps:

Discovery Call

Discuss your founders' needs and timeline

Custom Proposal

We design a program for your budget

Program Delivery

We bring the expertise and networks

Meet Your Expert Guides

Ashley Trick

Seasoned venture capitalist with expertise in early-stage investment, portfolio growth, and strategic fundraising. Ashley helps global founders refine investor pitches and navigate U.S. market entry complexities. LinkedIn

Carl Hinrichsen

Expert in sales and business expansion who built global reseller programs at Meta and Amazon. A Global Startup Awards jury member specializing in helping international startups master U.S. sales strategies. LinkedIn

Let's Get Your Founders Selling in the U.S.

Because entering the American market isn't just about having a great product—it's about knowing how to sell it, one conversation at a time.