ShadyIsBack123

Hi Rachel,

Really interesting app idea - I'm quite intrigued. I think Debbie is truly a great idea. I have a few questions:

​

1. How did you come up with the name of Debbie? (I think it's a great name)
2. How does Debbie make money from financial partners? I've taken a look at the app store and it's free (which is good!), and since you don't sell user data and I've read that Debbie provides rewards as an incentive, which is amazing!
   Are these financial partners banks/loan agencies, and can Debbie connect users with these companies? Apologies if I have misunderstood.
3. What kind of finance companies is Debbie looking to work with in the future?
4. I imagine as an entrepreneur, you must have had many ideas for potential businesses - what made you take the leap of faith and start Debbie opposed to any other business venture.
5. What is the process of getting a VC firm to back your idea? I understand that you worked for Credit Suisse and then worked in a venture capital firm - was it the same VC firm that backed Debbie?
   How would an entrepreneur even get in contact with a Venture Capitalist firm?
6. Did you have to pitch your idea to venture capitalists? If so, how was your pitch, and what did you talk about? Were you nervous? (I know I would be!)
7. Everyone has different financial situations - how does the app tailor the advice for the given person's financial information?
   Do you use artificial intelligence? (I think it would be an interesting avenue to explore if you don't use AI already)
8. Since your experience is mainly in finance, how did you get the app developed, and what was the process of getting it developed? How did you ensure that the final product was what you wanted it to be?

Looking forward to hearing more about Debbie and your journey!

Thank you so much for being honest in your responses; don't see that often from entrepreneurs these days!

As an aspiring entrepreneur, I have learned a lot from your answers. I really appreciate it.

I hope Debbie achieves great success.

Oh my god pitching to your own company must have been scary - was it ever discussed that if your pitch was accepted/approved that you would have to resign from the VC firm you were working at (to work on Debbie).

150 investors is a lot of investors to talk to! Must have been hard work and very tiring!

I'd like to ask another question that delves into a nuanced aspect of entrepreneurship and start-ups. Given your background in the VC sector, where you've likely acquired first-hand insights into the factors that enhance a start-up's attractiveness, could you elaborate on how you leveraged this experience to enhance Debbie's appeal and attractiveness to potential investors?

Apologies if I'm asking too many questions, I'm just really impressed with what you and the other founders of Debbie have accomplished.