In the fast-moving world of small and medium enterprises, especially in our Central and Eastern Europe region, where capital is often tight and markets are constantly shifting, the idea of stepping into the shallow waters of fundraising or even the deep end of “startup shows” might feel scary. Yet, for many entrepreneurs, this leap can work like a strategic growth catalyst. Think of it not as a gamble, but as a move that, when carefully planned, aligns funding, visibility, talent and organisational development into one string of wins.
Why the shark-tank mindset makes sense for SMEs
Because at its core, growth requires resources, most importantly: money, talent, networks, and legitimacy. Without them, even the most promising business idea can come to a stall.
When it comes to the first, money, private investment into small and medium enterprises remains the backbone of European venture capital: over the past decade, VC funds invested in nearly 27,000 companies, with a value of €96 billion. Essentially, that is ca. 9.6 billion euros per year that is being put into work in business, just like yours.
What often scares founders away is not just funding itself, but the exposure, the public pitch, the risk of rejection. That’s where “startup shows” or pitch events come in: pitching prepares you for scrutiny, tests your story in front of real people (not just friends and colleagues), gives you exposure and often leaves you better equipped, even if you don’t end up “closing the deal.”
What fundraising and pitch events do beyond money
Raising capital through crowdfunding, angel networks, or equity investors does far more than just inject cash. It signals that you believe in your idea enough to put it on the line. For many early-stage companies, such fundraising serves as a form of market validation, a live test of whether your product or service resonates beyond your inner circle.
At the same time, the act of pitching, whether that’s on a show, during an accelerator demo day, or at a local startup event, builds what academics call “social capital.” Studies show the personal and business networks of founders significantly increase their chances of securing funding. In other words, pitching isn’t just about giving a presentation to that group of people across the table. It’s also about building relationships and networks, as well as visibility and credibility.
And then there’s that side effect, particularly relevant for SMEs who hire: employer branding. A successful pitch, or even participation in a business-centric TV or YouTube show, can increase public visibility overnight. That exposure can make your company more attractive to talent. For small and medium enterprises, that’s gold: better visibility often means better applicants, and a stronger narrative about “here’s a company with ambition, growth, and vision.”
Real-world risks and how to manage them
Of course, the “sharks” in pitch events don’t bite gently. For example, the widely-known show Shark Tank reportedly receives between 35,000 to 40,000 applications per season in the US, yet only around 150 reach the pitch stage and fewer than 100 ever make it on air. That’s an acceptance rate of less than 0.25 %. Of course, the numbers are much smaller, for example, in the Hungarian Cápák között, but rejection doesn’t have to mean failure. In fact, in Hungary, the show reached ca. 500k people on each Sunday in its last season. That’s ca. 500 thousand potential customers, investors, or even talent that could become interested in your company and its products.
If you decide to take the plunge, here are 5 quick steps to prep like a pro
- Clarify your value proposition and growth story. What problem are you solving? Why now? How will funding help accelerate your roadmap?
- Map your network first. Identify not just “investors,” but advisors, mentors, potential partners. Early funding often comes from people–connections more than cold outreach.
- Know your numbers. One of the most common feedback received by participants who fail to gain attention is that they are not aware (or realistic) about the numbers underlying their business plan. Price, profit, revenue, margins, sales numbers from last year, the last 5 years, and planned for the next year and the next 2-3 years.
- Think beyond cash, talent and legitimacy matter. Frame fundraising as a way to build credibility, brand awareness, and attract talent, not only to grow your product or service. Show your product and your team. Be concrete and don’t just focus on the future – show what you do and have done so far as well.
- Listen, follow up, and execute. Secure funds or not, the momentum from a pitch needs to be converted into operational steps: hiring, go-to-market, product-development, etc. Also listen to your audience: even without investment, real feedback from real investors or peers can highlight weaknesses or blind spots you’d otherwise miss.
Conclusion: Sharks or not, swim with the ones who get you to swim faster if you want to get ahead.
Yes, stepping into the “water with sharks” can feel risky. But through fundraising, pitch events and startup shows, organizations gain more than money: they get exposure, credibility, network connections, and often concrete next steps and an actionable plan for the future ahead. For SMEs especially, these tools can accelerate growth and help build organizational muscle they might otherwise lack.
If you approach this as a calculated leap, i.e with clarity, preparation, and a follow-through plan, you might find that the sharks don’t bite you. Instead, they help you grow.
