While Meetup groups are a super effective way to connect with fellow startups, entrepreneurs and technologists in any community, Seattle is craving one that is focused on the needs of the B2B entrepreneur. Why you ask? The answer is simple, B2B startups have a different set of challenges and opportunities to consider than their B2C counterparts, which we outlined in a blog post earlier this year. One of the biggest factors impacting B2B startup success rests on the effectiveness of the early marketing and sales strategy. It’s just not the same selling to an enterprise or retailer as it is selling to mom or her kids. In an effort to address that need, the first Seattle B2B Tech Entrepreneur Meetup will focus on the B2B funnel — arguably the most important sales tool for any B2B entrepreneur.

Join the partners, mentors and companies from the 9Mile Labs accelerator program, along with masters of the sales funnel at Altus Alliance for a discussion on how to master your own B2B sales process. You’ll learn about the most fundamental, yet essential tool that every B2B company needs to know and understand — a winning B2B sales process. Management needs it to grow the business and manage sales. Sales needs it to manage the pipeline and sales engine. Investors demand it to value the company and determine investment worthiness. So, effectively designed and executed, the sales funnel will determine your marketing needs, headcount, forecast, product roadmap, bottlenecks to close, how you compare to others in your industry, and a lot more. Whew, that’s important stuff!

We’re looking forward to the short session from Altus Alliance and then informal networking with other like-minded entrepreneurs over drinks to talk about the business trends and opportuntiies that matter to B2B’ers like us. We’ll see you there!