What really a D(emo) Day means!

Enrico Di Oto
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

We are now approaching the Demo Day; the Incredible, Amazing, Exciting and Scaring final pitch!
While we are close to the event, there is something that I would like to share: what does a Demo Day is, really? which is the real meaning of the Demo Day?

For someone, It looks like the 1967 The Doors ‘ song “The End” (famous intro song of Apocalypse Now):
“This is the end, beautiful friend
This is the end, my only friend
The end of our elaborate plans
The end of everything that stands
The end”

For someone else it looks like the D-Day (6 June 1944)
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940–41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

I’m sure it is more than a “3 minutes pitch”, more than to show to the world that you are able to make your team and your company attractive.

It is, probably, where all the things start….for real!
Why? (you can ask me)
Let me respond with another question: “How many Demo Days have you ever got in your life?”
Yes!, not in your start-up company life…. but in your life!

Depending on how old are you, every time did you arrive at the end of a career’ pathway (the elementary school, the college, the university, the PhD) or personal life pathway (the engagement, the marriage, a new life ecc..) was never the end, but it was a transformation, a “level up”.

So, now it’s time to play the game!
Enjoy your presentation, live the moment
and think that tomorrow you will be bigger.
It will be harder but you will be prepared.

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