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In this episode, host Tom Ryan discusses the importance of traction for startups seeking investment. But what is traction, exactly? And how can a young, vulnerable business gain traction to increase their business momentum?

Joined by co-host Jason Pyles, Tom takes listeners through a step-by-step examination of traction, from understanding its importance to investors to exploring some of the most common indicators that a business is gaining real momentum.

• Introduction: “What is traction?”
• Venture Asheville’s Josh Dorfman’s presentation at the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program’s “Founders Meeting”
• The importance of traction in pitching to investors and angel groups: “If you don’t have traction, you don’t have a deal. You will not get funded.”
• Traction as a measure of business performance
• Key traction indicators:

• Sales
• User adoption
• “Subject to” agreements
• Purchase orders

• Lesser traction indicators

• Letters of intent
• Low-cost demos
• Freemiums
• Trademarks and patents

• Next episode: Getting traction through sales

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