How the Venture Game Is Played

Now you strap on your armor and go into battle. Somehow, someway, you have finagled your way into the office of one of the high priests of venture capital. Wear your custom-made suit and tie, and make sure your shoes are shined so bright that you need sunglasses to look at them.

The first person you will meet is some geek who is a year or two out of one of the prestigious MBA programs, such as Wharton, Harvard or Stanford. He will be dressed in khakis with an open-collared shirt and holding a copy of your business plan. The geek is the first sentry you have to get by to have a shot at the emperor's gold.

The geek will ask you to tell him a story, and then the games begin.

My next column will walk you through what to say, the land mines to avoid and the magic incantations that your presentation should contain.