Startup Originals Team
In a landscape flooded with artificial intelligence, US-based angel investor Roy Korner is making waves with a direct message to startup founders: leveraging AI isn’t enough to attract investors anymore. His recent comments are a wake-up call for entrepreneurs who believe simply mentioning “AI” in their pitch will open doors.
The Core Message: Focus on Value, Not Technology
Roy Korner, in a viral LinkedIn post, criticized startups for leading pitches with the phrase, “We use AI to…”. According to Korner, emphasizing the use of AI puts the spotlight on a tool rather than on the actual results or the specific problems being solved. He asserted that AI is neither a unique moat, nor a business model, or a genuine differentiator:
“Nobody cares that you’re using AI…AI is not a moat. It’s not a business model. It’s not what makes you unique. Everyone has access to the same APIs, the same models, and the same buzzwords.”
What Investors Really Want:
Korner made it clear that what truly attracts investors is how well a startup understands its customers, solves urgent, high-value problems, and executes quickly when faced with challenges. For today’s investors, market traction and customer obsession matter much more than technical flashiness or AI hype.
He stressed:
- Customer Focus: Deep knowledge of customers’ real needs.
- Execution Speed: The ability to quickly adapt and improve when things go wrong.
- Real Results: Demonstrable traction, not just sophisticated demos.
As Korner put it, “Real traction beats a flashy demo every single time.”
AI Is Ubiquitous – What Makes You Different?
In his words, the true differentiator is not AI itself but using it to build something indispensable—addressing issues that customers absolutely need solved. He concluded,
“Nobody’s throwing money at ‘AI startups’ anymore. But if you’re building something people can’t live without and AI just happens to make it better – now you’ve got my attention.”
Reaction From the Startup Community
Korner’s thoughts struck a chord on social media, going viral with over 4,000 reactions and more than 500 comments. Many users applauded his honesty and echoed his sentiment. Comments ranged from:
- “The value is never in the algorithm; it’s in the outcome it produces for a customer…”
- “The difference is in the value and outcomes created… For investors, ROI is key.”
- “Finally someone is saying this… I believe there could be an AI bubble leading to an AI winter soon.”
- “Love this. I invest in execution, obsession, and real pain killers. A perfect blueprint for tomorrow’s top organizations.”
Conclusion: Build for Impact, Not Just Buzzwords
For startup founders eyeing funding in the AI space, Korner’s message is clear: stop focusing on technology for its own sake, and concentrate on real-world impact and execution. Investors want solutions that change lives – AI should be the enabler, not the headline.
