Just as you should introduce your startup concept in a way that highlights its strengths, so should you introduce yourself. There is a significant perceived correlation between the integrity of a leader and the culture of the organization under his/her leadership. Now is the time to do a deep dive into your own self and ask the question: which of my qualities make me a reliable investment prospect?

This process can be somewhat intensive. As entrepreneurs, we are often so focused on understanding and influencing the external world that we sometimes forget to put in the same work on ourselves. Here is a good exercise to start figuring out which characteristics make you an excellent leader:

Consider some of the biggest challenges you have faced over the years. How did you solve them? What qualities did you rely on to change your circumstances from dire to prosperous? Instruct each of your team members to complete this exercise as well. Once you have finished, put these ideas together and figure out what are the key qualities that you collectively bring to the table.

Venture capitalists and angel investors are interested in teams that work well together. Specifically, they are looking for a combination of talent, experience, respect, follow through, adaptability, and resilience. You should come up with situations in which your team has come together to embody all of these concepts. Although you shouldn't share these stories during your pitch, you should have them available, as any interested investor will likely ask you for examples.

Once you have come up with a deeper understanding of the intrinsic value of your team, work together to come up with a modest yet declarative statement that portrays your strengths. Here is an example:

"With over 35 years of collective experience, our team is well aware of the lesser-known intricacies of our industry. We leverage this expertise towards innovation by maintaining a strong emphasis on mutual respect, adaptability, and follow through."

Action Items:

• Reflect on past challenges and how you solved them to discover your core qualities as a leader.

• Work with your team to come up with a list of personal attributes that make your firm highly valuable in the eyes of a VC.

• Distill these qualities into a precise statement about the intrinsic value of your team.