Early users can feel like validation, but that doesn’t mean you’ve nailed product-market fit. At the Elevate Ventures Go-To-Market Summit, speakers warned founders not to confuse compliments or pilots with real demand. From buyer urgency to budget signals, this post outlines the mindset and metrics that separate momentum from mirage.
In the early-stage startup world, visibility is no longer the challenge—memorability is. At the Go-To-Market Summit, experts like Wade Breitzke, Michelle Kidd, and Pat Rodgers revealed how emotional clarity, tailored messaging, and consistent content can cut through the noise. If your brand isn’t sticking, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Many founders assume early sales wins can be passed off to a new hire—but that’s a fast track to stalled growth. In this post, we unpack insights from the Go-To-Market Summit with leaders like Ian Illig, Jeanette Renshaw, and Wade Breitzke. From defining your ICP to building repeatable sales systems and messaging frameworks, this is your guide to turning founder hustle into a scalable Go-To-Market strategy.
Indiana has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse for innovation over the last five years, propelled by technology breakthroughs, large-scale funding, and more.
Indiana innovation is surging forward, propelled by forward-thinking public policy, world-class infrastructure, and so much more.
The group discussed the myth of the perfect GTM plan. There’s no clean playbook - there’s a willingness to test, a feedback loop that actually informs decisions, and the courage to say no to the wrong audience. Nolan guided the conversation toward a central theme: GTM success is not about the size of the budget, it’s about how tightly aligned your product, team, and messaging are with the market moment you’re in.
Wade introduced the idea that early-stage branding doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be intentional. Your identity should match your promise. Your tone should match your customer’s worldview. And your visuals should match the level of clarity you want people to associate with your company.
Ian Illig of Stompbox brought high-speed energy and tactical precision to his session on founder-led sales. Ian showed attendees how to translate a strong ICP into an actual sales strategy that doesn’t rely on luck or charm. Instead, it’s built on thoughtful structure, tight messaging, and an empathetic approach to outreach.
Jeanette Renshaw of GrowthX opened the Go-To-Market Summit with a bold truth: most founders aim too wide and sell to the wrong audience. In a high-energy, no-fluff session, Jeanette explained why getting ultra-specific about your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is the most powerful step a startup can take in its go-to-market strategy.
Missed the Go-To-Market Summit? From expert insights to a curated summer playlist, this half-day workshop was packed with actionable takeaways, bold perspectives, and serious summer energy. Catch the recap video, scroll the photo gallery, and get a front-row seat to one of our most electric events yet.
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