Lance Cottrell
@lancecottrell.bsky.social
Startup Advisor, Angel Investor, Entrepreneur, Pinot Noir Grower
David Homan destroys the biggest myth in founder networking.
You think you’re bad at networking because you’re an introvert who hates schmoozing?
Think again.
See the full episode now at https://www.rfr.bz/b273a61
#Founder #Startup #VentureCapital #Networking #BusinessStrategy
You think you’re bad at networking because you’re an introvert who hates schmoozing?
Think again.
See the full episode now at https://www.rfr.bz/b273a61
#Founder #Startup #VentureCapital #Networking #BusinessStrategy
November 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
David Homan destroys the biggest myth in founder networking.
You think you’re bad at networking because you’re an introvert who hates schmoozing?
Think again.
See the full episode now at https://www.rfr.bz/b273a61
#Founder #Startup #VentureCapital #Networking #BusinessStrategy
You think you’re bad at networking because you’re an introvert who hates schmoozing?
Think again.
See the full episode now at https://www.rfr.bz/b273a61
#Founder #Startup #VentureCapital #Networking #BusinessStrategy
Most founders fail at fundraising before they ever pitch.
That’s why I’m excited to be running Fundraising Fundamentals again, the workshop that started it all.
Join the live Fundraising Fundamentals workshop: the foundation for successful startup fundraising.
https://www.rfr.bz/bac483d
That’s why I’m excited to be running Fundraising Fundamentals again, the workshop that started it all.
Join the live Fundraising Fundamentals workshop: the foundation for successful startup fundraising.
https://www.rfr.bz/bac483d
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Most founders fail at fundraising before they ever pitch.
That’s why I’m excited to be running Fundraising Fundamentals again, the workshop that started it all.
Join the live Fundraising Fundamentals workshop: the foundation for successful startup fundraising.
https://www.rfr.bz/bac483d
That’s why I’m excited to be running Fundraising Fundamentals again, the workshop that started it all.
Join the live Fundraising Fundamentals workshop: the foundation for successful startup fundraising.
https://www.rfr.bz/bac483d
Most cold outreach fails before it even begins.
Why? Founders open with a pitch. Investors hit delete.
In my last workshop, I shared my system for turning cold contacts into warm conversations.
The trick: start with a short question investors actually want to answer.
Why? Founders open with a pitch. Investors hit delete.
In my last workshop, I shared my system for turning cold contacts into warm conversations.
The trick: start with a short question investors actually want to answer.
September 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Most cold outreach fails before it even begins.
Why? Founders open with a pitch. Investors hit delete.
In my last workshop, I shared my system for turning cold contacts into warm conversations.
The trick: start with a short question investors actually want to answer.
Why? Founders open with a pitch. Investors hit delete.
In my last workshop, I shared my system for turning cold contacts into warm conversations.
The trick: start with a short question investors actually want to answer.
"From Cold Outreach to Capital: Fundraising When You Don’t Have Connections" shows you how to raise without a network.
This $99 workshop can bring you $1m+ in investments.
It runs live on Zoom Wednesday, September 24th, at 10 AM PDT.
👉 Click Here to Register: https://www.rfr.bz/b6a20f2
This $99 workshop can bring you $1m+ in investments.
It runs live on Zoom Wednesday, September 24th, at 10 AM PDT.
👉 Click Here to Register: https://www.rfr.bz/b6a20f2
September 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"From Cold Outreach to Capital: Fundraising When You Don’t Have Connections" shows you how to raise without a network.
This $99 workshop can bring you $1m+ in investments.
It runs live on Zoom Wednesday, September 24th, at 10 AM PDT.
👉 Click Here to Register: https://www.rfr.bz/b6a20f2
This $99 workshop can bring you $1m+ in investments.
It runs live on Zoom Wednesday, September 24th, at 10 AM PDT.
👉 Click Here to Register: https://www.rfr.bz/b6a20f2
Today, we bottled our 2024 Pinot Noir to make space for the 2025. 🍷
Many businesses have abstract results. It can be challenging to recognize the impact you have on your customers.
So, pop a cork and celebrate your successes and milestones along the way by sharing them in the comments! 🍾
Many businesses have abstract results. It can be challenging to recognize the impact you have on your customers.
So, pop a cork and celebrate your successes and milestones along the way by sharing them in the comments! 🍾
September 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Today, we bottled our 2024 Pinot Noir to make space for the 2025. 🍷
Many businesses have abstract results. It can be challenging to recognize the impact you have on your customers.
So, pop a cork and celebrate your successes and milestones along the way by sharing them in the comments! 🍾
Many businesses have abstract results. It can be challenging to recognize the impact you have on your customers.
So, pop a cork and celebrate your successes and milestones along the way by sharing them in the comments! 🍾
Behind every failed startup is one stubborn bottleneck they couldn’t escape.
What challenges or obstacles are you facing that would unlock massive potential if you could overcome them?
I’m planning the next round of Founder Quest workshops, and your answers will help shape them.
What challenges or obstacles are you facing that would unlock massive potential if you could overcome them?
I’m planning the next round of Founder Quest workshops, and your answers will help shape them.
August 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Behind every failed startup is one stubborn bottleneck they couldn’t escape.
What challenges or obstacles are you facing that would unlock massive potential if you could overcome them?
I’m planning the next round of Founder Quest workshops, and your answers will help shape them.
What challenges or obstacles are you facing that would unlock massive potential if you could overcome them?
I’m planning the next round of Founder Quest workshops, and your answers will help shape them.
I recently watched a crew in my vineyard hand-pluck leaves and move shoots. It doesn’t scale, but it’s critical to quality.
Startups are the same. “Do things that don’t scale” isn’t just for day one. It’s how you keep real feedback flowing.
What hands-on task do you still do yourself, and why?
Startups are the same. “Do things that don’t scale” isn’t just for day one. It’s how you keep real feedback flowing.
What hands-on task do you still do yourself, and why?
August 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I recently watched a crew in my vineyard hand-pluck leaves and move shoots. It doesn’t scale, but it’s critical to quality.
Startups are the same. “Do things that don’t scale” isn’t just for day one. It’s how you keep real feedback flowing.
What hands-on task do you still do yourself, and why?
Startups are the same. “Do things that don’t scale” isn’t just for day one. It’s how you keep real feedback flowing.
What hands-on task do you still do yourself, and why?
My Pinot grapes just hit veraison, when they turn sweet.
Startups go through the same shift: from pushing a product to customers pulling it from your hands.
If you’re there, you’re ready to pitch. But 80% of deals fail in due diligence.
DM me for details on my Surviving Due Diligence workshop.
Startups go through the same shift: from pushing a product to customers pulling it from your hands.
If you’re there, you’re ready to pitch. But 80% of deals fail in due diligence.
DM me for details on my Surviving Due Diligence workshop.
July 29, 2025 at 11:29 PM
My Pinot grapes just hit veraison, when they turn sweet.
Startups go through the same shift: from pushing a product to customers pulling it from your hands.
If you’re there, you’re ready to pitch. But 80% of deals fail in due diligence.
DM me for details on my Surviving Due Diligence workshop.
Startups go through the same shift: from pushing a product to customers pulling it from your hands.
If you’re there, you’re ready to pitch. But 80% of deals fail in due diligence.
DM me for details on my Surviving Due Diligence workshop.
Are you struggling to raise capital for your startup?
I’m hosting a 90-minute online workshop @ 10 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 23rd, to demonstrate how my system works, so you can start implementing it yourself.
Reply "Framework" or message me for pricing, link, and details.
I’m hosting a 90-minute online workshop @ 10 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 23rd, to demonstrate how my system works, so you can start implementing it yourself.
Reply "Framework" or message me for pricing, link, and details.
July 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Are you struggling to raise capital for your startup?
I’m hosting a 90-minute online workshop @ 10 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 23rd, to demonstrate how my system works, so you can start implementing it yourself.
Reply "Framework" or message me for pricing, link, and details.
I’m hosting a 90-minute online workshop @ 10 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 23rd, to demonstrate how my system works, so you can start implementing it yourself.
Reply "Framework" or message me for pricing, link, and details.
Most founders don’t fail because of their idea.
They fail because fear stops them from starting.
I sat down with mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what separates stalled founders from successful ones.
Read/watch: https://www.rfr.bz/bdd3ad3
They fail because fear stops them from starting.
I sat down with mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what separates stalled founders from successful ones.
Read/watch: https://www.rfr.bz/bdd3ad3
June 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Most founders don’t fail because of their idea.
They fail because fear stops them from starting.
I sat down with mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what separates stalled founders from successful ones.
Read/watch: https://www.rfr.bz/bdd3ad3
They fail because fear stops them from starting.
I sat down with mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what separates stalled founders from successful ones.
Read/watch: https://www.rfr.bz/bdd3ad3
Nobody visits wine country to see the vines bloom—but it’s the most critical week of the vintage.
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
May 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Nobody visits wine country to see the vines bloom—but it’s the most critical week of the vintage.
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Nobody visits wine country to see the vines bloom—but it’s the most critical week of the vintage.
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
May 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Nobody visits wine country to see the vines bloom—but it’s the most critical week of the vintage.
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Fundraising is the same. A short phase that sets everything in motion.
Get it right, and the rest has room to ripen.
(Photo: grape bloom. Tiny. Crucial.)
Most founders raise money too early—and pitch the wrong story when they do.
Paulo Andrez has helped over 200 startups. In our interview, he shares brutal truths and smart fixes for early-stage fundraising.
Read it here: https://www.rfr.bz/bdf3478
Paulo Andrez has helped over 200 startups. In our interview, he shares brutal truths and smart fixes for early-stage fundraising.
Read it here: https://www.rfr.bz/bdf3478
May 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Most founders raise money too early—and pitch the wrong story when they do.
Paulo Andrez has helped over 200 startups. In our interview, he shares brutal truths and smart fixes for early-stage fundraising.
Read it here: https://www.rfr.bz/bdf3478
Paulo Andrez has helped over 200 startups. In our interview, he shares brutal truths and smart fixes for early-stage fundraising.
Read it here: https://www.rfr.bz/bdf3478
Startups are like great vintages. 🍇
The hard work you do early—testing, validating, building—sets the foundation for success later.
Skip it, and you’ll be making wine from weeds. 🍷
Cheers to the founders doing the real work! 🥂
The hard work you do early—testing, validating, building—sets the foundation for success later.
Skip it, and you’ll be making wine from weeds. 🍷
Cheers to the founders doing the real work! 🥂
April 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Startups are like great vintages. 🍇
The hard work you do early—testing, validating, building—sets the foundation for success later.
Skip it, and you’ll be making wine from weeds. 🍷
Cheers to the founders doing the real work! 🥂
The hard work you do early—testing, validating, building—sets the foundation for success later.
Skip it, and you’ll be making wine from weeds. 🍷
Cheers to the founders doing the real work! 🥂
Most pitch decks fail because they don’t make investors care.
I’m running a workshop Monday to fix that: Pitch Deck Perfection.
Learn what every slide must do to win attention.
https://www.rfr.bz/b5fc5c7
I’m running a workshop Monday to fix that: Pitch Deck Perfection.
Learn what every slide must do to win attention.
https://www.rfr.bz/b5fc5c7
April 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Most pitch decks fail because they don’t make investors care.
I’m running a workshop Monday to fix that: Pitch Deck Perfection.
Learn what every slide must do to win attention.
https://www.rfr.bz/b5fc5c7
I’m running a workshop Monday to fix that: Pitch Deck Perfection.
Learn what every slide must do to win attention.
https://www.rfr.bz/b5fc5c7
Most founders build products no one wants. 💡
Learn how to pre-sell before you build and avoid costly mistakes in my chat with David Hirschfeld: https://www.rfr.bz/b621da2 🚀
#startups #founderlessons #productdevelopment
Learn how to pre-sell before you build and avoid costly mistakes in my chat with David Hirschfeld: https://www.rfr.bz/b621da2 🚀
#startups #founderlessons #productdevelopment
April 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Most founders build products no one wants. 💡
Learn how to pre-sell before you build and avoid costly mistakes in my chat with David Hirschfeld: https://www.rfr.bz/b621da2 🚀
#startups #founderlessons #productdevelopment
Learn how to pre-sell before you build and avoid costly mistakes in my chat with David Hirschfeld: https://www.rfr.bz/b621da2 🚀
#startups #founderlessons #productdevelopment
🌱 Budbreak in my vineyard reminded me of startups.
All the growth we’ll see this season was already inside those buds—just waiting for the right conditions to burst out.
Same with your startup.
Do the prep now. When the time’s right, growth will explode. 💥
All the growth we’ll see this season was already inside those buds—just waiting for the right conditions to burst out.
Same with your startup.
Do the prep now. When the time’s right, growth will explode. 💥
April 4, 2025 at 7:39 PM
🌱 Budbreak in my vineyard reminded me of startups.
All the growth we’ll see this season was already inside those buds—just waiting for the right conditions to burst out.
Same with your startup.
Do the prep now. When the time’s right, growth will explode. 💥
All the growth we’ll see this season was already inside those buds—just waiting for the right conditions to burst out.
Same with your startup.
Do the prep now. When the time’s right, growth will explode. 💥
Most pitch decks fail before the first slide.
Founders copy big-name decks without knowing why they worked. That’s cargo cult thinking—and it kills funding.
In Pitch Deck Alchemy (Apr 7 on Zoom), I’ll show you how to make a deck that actually gets investors excited. DM me for details. 💬
Founders copy big-name decks without knowing why they worked. That’s cargo cult thinking—and it kills funding.
In Pitch Deck Alchemy (Apr 7 on Zoom), I’ll show you how to make a deck that actually gets investors excited. DM me for details. 💬
April 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Most pitch decks fail before the first slide.
Founders copy big-name decks without knowing why they worked. That’s cargo cult thinking—and it kills funding.
In Pitch Deck Alchemy (Apr 7 on Zoom), I’ll show you how to make a deck that actually gets investors excited. DM me for details. 💬
Founders copy big-name decks without knowing why they worked. That’s cargo cult thinking—and it kills funding.
In Pitch Deck Alchemy (Apr 7 on Zoom), I’ll show you how to make a deck that actually gets investors excited. DM me for details. 💬
Why Pitch Deck Alchemy?
Because generic decks don’t get funded. You need to turn raw info into a story that shines.
I’m teaching exactly how to do that in a live workshop on April 7.
Want one of the guest spots? DM me and I’ll send details. 💬
Because generic decks don’t get funded. You need to turn raw info into a story that shines.
I’m teaching exactly how to do that in a live workshop on April 7.
Want one of the guest spots? DM me and I’ll send details. 💬
April 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Why Pitch Deck Alchemy?
Because generic decks don’t get funded. You need to turn raw info into a story that shines.
I’m teaching exactly how to do that in a live workshop on April 7.
Want one of the guest spots? DM me and I’ll send details. 💬
Because generic decks don’t get funded. You need to turn raw info into a story that shines.
I’m teaching exactly how to do that in a live workshop on April 7.
Want one of the guest spots? DM me and I’ll send details. 💬
Most founders make finance mistakes that can kill their startup. 💸
Want to avoid them? Learn when to hire help, what investors expect, and how to stay compliant in my chat with CFO Josh Aharonoff: https://www.rfr.bz/beafab3 🚀 #startups #fundraising
Want to avoid them? Learn when to hire help, what investors expect, and how to stay compliant in my chat with CFO Josh Aharonoff: https://www.rfr.bz/beafab3 🚀 #startups #fundraising
March 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Most founders make finance mistakes that can kill their startup. 💸
Want to avoid them? Learn when to hire help, what investors expect, and how to stay compliant in my chat with CFO Josh Aharonoff: https://www.rfr.bz/beafab3 🚀 #startups #fundraising
Want to avoid them? Learn when to hire help, what investors expect, and how to stay compliant in my chat with CFO Josh Aharonoff: https://www.rfr.bz/beafab3 🚀 #startups #fundraising
🚀 Are you ready to raise startup funding—but not sure where to start?
On Monday, March 10th, at 10 AM PDT, I’m running Fundraising Fundamentals—the first live workshop in my Funded Founder Framework™.
Sign up for Fundraising Fundamentals at: https://www.rfr.bz/b4eb479
See you there! 🚀
On Monday, March 10th, at 10 AM PDT, I’m running Fundraising Fundamentals—the first live workshop in my Funded Founder Framework™.
Sign up for Fundraising Fundamentals at: https://www.rfr.bz/b4eb479
See you there! 🚀
March 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
🚀 Are you ready to raise startup funding—but not sure where to start?
On Monday, March 10th, at 10 AM PDT, I’m running Fundraising Fundamentals—the first live workshop in my Funded Founder Framework™.
Sign up for Fundraising Fundamentals at: https://www.rfr.bz/b4eb479
See you there! 🚀
On Monday, March 10th, at 10 AM PDT, I’m running Fundraising Fundamentals—the first live workshop in my Funded Founder Framework™.
Sign up for Fundraising Fundamentals at: https://www.rfr.bz/b4eb479
See you there! 🚀
Are you talking about features or benefits when pitching your startup?
Here’s the thing: people don’t care about features.
They care about what those features do for them.
Benefits are what grab attention and close deals.
Here’s the thing: people don’t care about features.
They care about what those features do for them.
Benefits are what grab attention and close deals.
January 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Are you talking about features or benefits when pitching your startup?
Here’s the thing: people don’t care about features.
They care about what those features do for them.
Benefits are what grab attention and close deals.
Here’s the thing: people don’t care about features.
They care about what those features do for them.
Benefits are what grab attention and close deals.
🎯 Make your strengths hit immediately.
I see founders burying their most important points in a sea of bullet points. If you don’t make your strengths obvious, they’ll get missed.
🔑 Ready to refine your pitch? Let me help! Get personalized advice at ftb.bz/advising.
#Entrepreneurship #Pitching
I see founders burying their most important points in a sea of bullet points. If you don’t make your strengths obvious, they’ll get missed.
🔑 Ready to refine your pitch? Let me help! Get personalized advice at ftb.bz/advising.
#Entrepreneurship #Pitching
October 28, 2024 at 6:17 PM
🎯 Make your strengths hit immediately.
I see founders burying their most important points in a sea of bullet points. If you don’t make your strengths obvious, they’ll get missed.
🔑 Ready to refine your pitch? Let me help! Get personalized advice at ftb.bz/advising.
#Entrepreneurship #Pitching
I see founders burying their most important points in a sea of bullet points. If you don’t make your strengths obvious, they’ll get missed.
🔑 Ready to refine your pitch? Let me help! Get personalized advice at ftb.bz/advising.
#Entrepreneurship #Pitching
💡 If you don’t say it, people won’t know!
In presentations, your audience assumes what you don’t mention doesn’t exist. Watch my latest video to learn why being explicit about your wins is crucial for success.
🚀 For more insights, join my mailing list: ftb.bz/join
#StartupAdvice #Entrepreneurship
In presentations, your audience assumes what you don’t mention doesn’t exist. Watch my latest video to learn why being explicit about your wins is crucial for success.
🚀 For more insights, join my mailing list: ftb.bz/join
#StartupAdvice #Entrepreneurship
October 16, 2024 at 9:59 PM
💡 If you don’t say it, people won’t know!
In presentations, your audience assumes what you don’t mention doesn’t exist. Watch my latest video to learn why being explicit about your wins is crucial for success.
🚀 For more insights, join my mailing list: ftb.bz/join
#StartupAdvice #Entrepreneurship
In presentations, your audience assumes what you don’t mention doesn’t exist. Watch my latest video to learn why being explicit about your wins is crucial for success.
🚀 For more insights, join my mailing list: ftb.bz/join
#StartupAdvice #Entrepreneurship
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #532,790!
Interesting... Seems like the growth is too slow to enable takeoff.
Interesting... Seems like the growth is too slow to enable takeoff.
September 17, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #532,790!
Interesting... Seems like the growth is too slow to enable takeoff.
Interesting... Seems like the growth is too slow to enable takeoff.