Ed Pierce, Chairman and co-founder of the Lion’s Den DFW, provides consistent and insightful investor feedback on the pitches. He is typically the first to offer his thoughts, setting a precedent for what the “kingdom minded investors” are looking for. His feedback generally focuses on clarity, market potential, financial viability, and the strategic underpinnings of the business.
In the context of investor feedback, Ed Pierce consistently emphasizes several key areas:
o For Green Bean Studios, Ed commended Anita for “really stat[ing] the problem and the
solution really well, right off the bat”. He noted that this clarity early in the presentation helps investors quickly grasp the core value proposition.
o For MyStreme, he recognized it as an “excellent presentation” and a “really great
opportunity”. He particularly liked the tagline “democratizing entertainment,” noting its
ability to quickly convey the idea and help investors categorize the opportunity within
their investment experience.
o When reviewing Green Bean Studios, Ed appreciated the “good mix of the creative and
science” in the presentation. He clarified that while he enjoys the creative aspects, as an
investor, he looks to “invest on the science”. This means he values data and evidence
that backs up the claims made, emphasizing the “good use of science as well to back up
what you’re saying”.
o For MyStreme, Ed specifically praised the “application of AI,” describing it as “very
robust, has some real comprehension to it”. He approved of MyStreme’s goal to
“consolidate all stremeing” services.
o He highlighted MyStreme’s “easy search” feature, relating it to his own experience of
difficulty finding content on various platforms.
o A significant point for him was the “content filtering” capability, specifically mentioning
the ability to filter out “the F word,” which he called a “huge winner” for his family.
o The “common view list” was also deemed “really important” because it creates
community and allows users to trust recommendations from friends over general hype.
o Ed stressed the importance of IP. For Green Bean Studios, he suggested considering
copyright and “Us. Patents”.
o For MyStreme, he explicitly noted that the patents “give a great…IP background to it
tremendously important to have patents in this business”.
o A recurring theme in his feedback is the need for clear financial information. For Green
Bean Studios, he advised including a slide on “revenue and the money,” demonstrating
an “internal rate of return over 3 to 5 years” and clarifying “How do I get my money
back?”. He emphasized that once an investor “likes” the project, the next step is
understanding the financial return. He also wanted to see how the “use of funds”
connects to marketing efforts.
o For MyStreme, while he acknowledged the “revenue upside” slide, he sought more
detail on “how my money is going to be protected” and wanted to know “What’s your
team behind you?”. This indicates that while the vision and market opportunity are
appealing, investors need clear financial strategies and confidence in the team’s ability
to execute.
o He recognized Green Bean Studios’ “multi-path approach to film” and focus on “toys and
retail” as strong strategic elements.
o For MyStreme, he acknowledged the challenge of “getting shelf space” in the market
but concluded that the team “got a great package going” and “have the background to
do it”.
Overall, Ed Pierce’s feedback provides a clear roadmap for presenters to refine their pitches for kingdom-minded investors, balancing compelling narratives and mission with concrete financial and operational details.