Martin Barnes, 8Seconds2Connect, for GBIP

Slush 2026 Founder Scouting Report

Get your thoughts, experience and position down now, so we start strong on the 9th.

There are no right answers. This is about where you are, not how you score.

Give it about 5 minutes.

You're heading to Slush to meet investors. How do you feel about pitching?

A lot of experience
Little experience

Last time you pitched, how did it go?

What's one standout moment that got you to your spot on the grid?

It could be a pitch that landed, one that didn't, or a turning point that changed how you see it.

I'd like to improve…

Scenario 1 of 4

Dark and noisy

The deck question

You're at Slush, meeting an investor. Your deck is perfect, but it's dark and noisy.

Scenario 2 of 4

The coffee queue

The accidental meeting

You're in the coffee queue, about to be served. Right behind you is an investor on your target list.

Scenario 3 of 4

They glance away

Reading the signal

A scheduled meeting. Ninety seconds in, the investor glances at their phone.

Scenario 4 of 4

The circle

Finding your way in

The investor you want to meet is chatting in a small group. Another founder, very confident, is holding the floor.

You bump into an investor in the corridor. You have 30 seconds, and no slides.

In what order would you tell them these four things?

Slush is over. You're on the flight home from Helsinki, and it went brilliantly.

What happened? Who did you meet? What happens next?

Who was the most important person you met?

The mirror

Tap any line to change it.

Does this reflect how you actually feel?

Name your report

Your Slush game plan

Please email your pitch deck before the 9th.

See you in Reading.

Press Finish. Then send your report to Martin on the next screen.

Thank you.

Now send your report to Martin.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3Open your email
  4. 4Attach report
  5. 5Send it to Martin

See you on the 9th of October.

Martin Barnes, 8Seconds2Connect, for GBIP