SAN FRANCISCO — At 'Snark Tank,' start-up founders pitch their businesses to a panel of comedians who offer brutally honest feedback, often laced with humor. One such founder, Anastasia Prosina, presented her start-up’s chatbot for astronauts, named 'Tom.' A judge pointed out that the name 'Tom' might not inspire confidence, given its association with the ill-fated astronaut in David Bowie’s 'Space Oddity.'
Despite the laughter, the event has a serious side. It provides a platform for founders to receive candid feedback, which can be hard to come by in Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Bay Area is a hub for start-up investment, with billions of dollars in venture capital pouring into the region each quarter. However, many young businesses struggle to succeed.
'Snark Tank' offers founders a unique opportunity to refine their pitches and business models. The show combines the atmosphere of a comedy show with a tech industry networking event. Founders are coached on presentation basics and grilled on key business questions. The event was created by Elizabeth Swaney, a former recruiter and Olympic skier turned stand-up comedian, who aims to make tech more accessible and inclusive.
The companies pitched at a recent show included BioSieve, PigPug, and Degas, among others. The panelists challenged the founders with provocative questions and offered praise with a twist. Several founders reported revising their pitch decks based on the feedback received.
Prosina’s Stellar Amenities attracted significant attention, partly due to her dramatic presentation ending with a reference to Hal 9000 from '2001: Space Odyssey.' Prosina assured the audience that her AI would be a helpful one. She found the event cathartic and received valuable feedback that led her to update her slides. Despite the criticism, Prosina is sticking with the name 'Tom' for her chatbot.
Swaney is now working to turn 'Snark Tank' into a formal business, Tech Pitch Roast Comedy LLC. She plans to pitch the show to potential investors and TV executives, acknowledging that her own pitch would likely face the same scrutiny as those at her events.
No comments yet