Have a project that just needs some cash to get off the ground? Need someone to fund beer and food for an event? Have a great idea and want to get paid for implementing it? Come find out how we did it. Asking for money doesn’t have to be so hard. Whether you’re working on a non-profit, or a small side project. Or you’re bootstrapping a sweet new developer event. Or you want to find angel investing or venture capital… The same skills apply. Come learn all about how to ask for money from Selena Deckelmann, J Chris Anderson and Teyo Tyree. Selena co-founded Open Source Bridge, raises money for the open source project PostgreSQL and has found funding for many small non- and for-profit projects. J Chris and Teyo both founded VC-backed startups – Couchbase and Puppet Labs – based on open source products. They’ll lead you through their process, their successes and failures. You’ll leave with proven strategies for developing relationships, asking the right questions and providing the right information to people who want to give you their money.

1. How to ask for money
Selena Deckelmann, PostgreSQL + Emma @selenamarie
J Chris Anderson, Couchbase @jchris
Teyo Tyree, Puppet Labs @brainfinger

2. Who’s asked for
money?

3. You can do this.

4. 3 acts

5. The Acts
1. Boot-strapping
2. Venture Capital
3. Lessons Learned

6. Act 1
Boot-strapping

7. 2008

8. DAY 1
Bart - $2000
Selena - $2500 (loan)
Rick - $5000 (loan)

9. DAY 165
Bart - $2000
Selena - $2500 (loan)
Rick - $5000 (loan)
And ~$-16,000 in contracts

11. Ted Kaczynski
of conference chairs.

12. Only sent to one company.
And they had a lot of feedback.

13. Who do I know
that will give me money?

14. Who do I know
that will give me money?

15. 2009 stats:
$36,000 in cash
$15,000 in-kind
$26,000 in registrations
$4,000 left over
~70 people, 29 companies
~20 knew me personally

16. Your network is bigger
than you think.

17. Act 2
Venture Capital

18. J Chris Anderson
Seriously, we can be friends with VCs.

19. Teyo Tyree
I have a special relationship with my VC.

20. Act 3
Lessons Learned

21. • Build relationships and communicate.
• Ask again anyway.
• Hire a graphic designer.
• It’s really six steps.
• Find a mentor.

22. Build relationships and
communicate.

23. Communication is the
compost of fundraising.

24. Be visible.

25. Do what you say you’ll do.
And if you don’t,
communicate why - now.

26. Ask again anyway.

27. People say no, a lot.
But not as often the second time.

28. In 2009 In 2010
Asked 49 companies Asked 33 companies
No No
41% 34%
Yes
59% Yes
66%
$1241 per $2006 per
sponsor sponsor

30. Hire a graphic designer.

31. 3. Hire a graphic designer.

33. 3. Hire a graphic designer.

34. “charging big sponsorship fees with marketing-centric
sponsor benefits”
“How does it serve the community?”
“I suggest you refine your plans to focus on 2 or 3 areas.”

36. • Ask for money

37. It’s really six steps.

38. It’s really 6 steps.
1. Identify a need.
2. Tell someone.
3. Ask for money.
4. Get the money.
5. Spend the money.
6. Say thank you.

39. Find a fundraising mentor.

40. “charging big sponsorship fees with marketing-centric
sponsor benefits”
“How does it serve the community?”
“I suggest you refine your plans to focus on 2 or 3 areas.”

41. Refine your pitch.
Practice.

42. • Build relationships and communicate.
• Ask again anyway.
• Hire a graphic designer.
• It’s really six steps.
• Find a mentor.

43. Thanks!
How to ask for money
Selena Deckelmann, Emma @selenamarie
J Chris Anderson, Couchbase @jchris
Teyo Tyree, Puppet Labs @brainfinger