Why No One Gets Your Startup (Yet) – And How to Fix It
Hosted by: Edinburgh Innovations · The University of Edinburgh · Startup Summer Accelerator
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025 · 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Edinburgh Futures Institute
About the session
If you struggle to explain your startup, you’re not alone. Most founders jump straight to features and vision, but miss the deeper forces that shape how people understand — and value — what they do.
This hands-on workshop, led by Sid Kathirvel, Founder and Strategic Growth Partner at Unlock Growth, helps early-stage founders uncover why people really buy, what’s stopping them from switching, and how to reframe their pitch so it lands instantly and persuasively.
You’ll learn how to sharpen your positioning, cut through the noise, and communicate your startup in a way that makes people pay attention.
What you’ll learn
- Why customers buy or switch to a new product.
- The hidden forces that create resistance or confusion.
- How to position your product so it feels clear, credible, and desirable.
- How to craft messaging that sparks interest and makes people want in.
Expect actionable frameworks you’ll use immediately — not theory. Past participants often say this is the workshop that finally made their pitch “click”.
Who it’s for
- Early-stage founders.
- Anyone who struggles to explain what they do or why it matters.
- Teams preparing for pitching, fundraising, marketing, or go-to-market.
About the programme
The Startup Summer Accelerator is a 3-month programme designed to help University of Edinburgh students, graduates, and staff turn ideas into real companies. Backed by funding, mentorship, and weekly expert-led workshops, it supports founders across sectors such as fintech, public services, creative industries, tourism, health, climate, digital, AI, and more.Sponsored by the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), the accelerator blends practical training with deep sector expertise, culminating in a final showcase with the opportunity to pitch for further funding.