Lions Den – Your Gateway to Grant-Funded Startup Success

Lions Den is a powerful launchpad for startups and small businesses to secure non-dilutive capital and expert support by pitching their business ideas to a panel of fundraising specialists and Investors. Inspired by the Shark Tank model, Lions Den gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to access expert guidance, strategic connections, and funding—without giving up equity.

BOOK YOUR SLOT FROM AVAILABLE TIMES HERE. LIONS DEN HAPPENS 3 DAYS A WEEK - PLEASE BOOK ANY AVAILABLE SLOT WHICH SUITS.

HAVE YOUR PITCH DECK READY TO UPLOAD BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Before booking your slot please read our advice below. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED IN YOUR LIONS DEN PRESENTATION.

Submitting below will lead you to our calendly Lions Den booking link.

Actions to complete to confirm your space:

  1. Make your booking at an available time which suits you

  2. Once the booking is made you will be requested to upload your deck on Calendly

  3. It will redirect you to a Google form where you are required to upload your deck and give us your company name so the judges can view your deck before or after the event if they still have questions.

  4. You will receive the outcome of the Lions Den pitch within 48 hrs as well as a Grant offer.

  5. On the day we request that you arrive on time. Our bookings go fast and slots are only 15 minutes each so we cannot allow for any time overruns.

  6. Each company is allowed to present twice at Lions Den, so if you stumble or have problems on the day, please come back and try again.

What’s the Ideal Presentation Format?

For an 8-minute pitch, this is a proven structure:

  1. 0:00–1:00 — Hook + What you do

  2. 1:00–2:00 — Problem & why it matters now

  3. 2:00–3:00 — Your solution (product demo, if live)

  4. 3:00–4:00 — Market size + business model

  5. 4:00–5:00 — Traction & key milestones

  6. 5:00–6:00 — Team & competitive edge

  7. 6:00–7:00 — Go-to-market or growth plan

  8. 7:00–8:00 — The ask: funding, what for, and closing statement

For more on why we structure it this way please keep reading below.

How Lions Den Works

Pitching:
Entrepreneurs present their business, vision, and growth potential to a panel of fundraising experts & investors. Instead of pitching for equity investment (like in Shark Tank), businesses pitch for access to grant funding and professional fundraising support.

Funding Access:
If selected, startups receive angrant offer and fundraising support services—sometimes covered up to 100% through available Moonbase Foundation Grants. These grants are designed to help cover the www.maxnx.com membership fees, giving you access to their expert fundraising team and resources as well as pay 3rd Party related fees associated with preparing each company for presentation to the Capital Council for the STACK NOTE™ or other investment from our placement funds or database of investors.

Support and Services:
Rather than taking a percentage of your business, Lions Den Fund & Investment partners and MAXNX secure grant funding on your behalf from the Moonbase Foundation, identify aligned opportunities, and assist you in fundraising for your start up.

Why Grant Funding Matters for Startups

At Moonshotnx, we believe founders should be able to build before they dilute.

That’s why every startup accepted into our Capital Stack Accelerator receives up to $50,000 in grant funding from the Moonbase Foundation — non-dilutive capital designed to help you move faster, hire smarter, and raise better.

Key Benefits of Grant Funding

1. Non-Dilutive Capital

You keep 100% of your equity.
Grant funding doesn’t take shares or impose investor pressure. It lets you grow on your terms.

2. Build a Better Foundation

Grants are managed by Maxnx and assigned to be used for critical early-stage needs like:

  • Valuations & legal structuring

  • Pitch advisory & data room setup

  • Investor readiness support

  • IR Advisory & IR deposits

3. De-Risk Your Next Raise

Our Grant + STACK Notes™ are designed to reduce the pressure to raise too early — giving you time to build traction, improve your terms, and raise from strength.

4. Signaling to Investors

Foundations, governments, and ecosystem funds rarely back “just ideas.”
Receiving a competitive grant signals confidence, credibility, and commitment — making you more attractive to institutional investors.

5. Layered with Venture Capital

At Moonshotnx, grants are just the beginning.
You can combine your grant with:

  • STACK Note™ funding ($100K–$250K from the M1 Fund)

  • Debt or RBF capital

  • Follow-on equity via MaxF1 or partner funds

  • Equity rounds from the Maxnx Database of 70k+ investors

How It Works:

  1. 8 MINUTES TO PITCH

  2. 7 MINUTES FOR Q & A

  3. APPROVAL WITHIN 24 HOURS

  4. Receive up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding

  5. WHAT YOU NEED TO STAND OUT

  6. Strong Business Concept: A clear business model and value proposition.

  7. Market Potential: Evidence of demand, traction, or a scalable idea.

  8. Preparedness: Basic documentation (pitch deck, business plan, financials).

  9. Commitment: Willingness to work with MAXNX’s team to secure and deploy funding effectively.

And yes, there is research and investor feedback that supports the idea that 8 minutes (or less) is an optimal pitching duration for startups. While it's not “scientifically proven” in a lab-controlled sense, it is backed by behavioral science, attention span research, and patterns observed by hundreds of VCs and accelerators.

Here’s why the 8-minute pitch rule exists:

1. Cognitive Load and Attention Spans

  • Studies show that adults maintain focused attention for about 7–10 minutes before needing a break or stimulus shift.

  • Investors typically sit through multiple pitches in a single session, so even high-performing founders are competing against mental fatigue.

2. First Impressions Count Most

  • According to data from accelerators like Y Combinator and Techstars, most investors make up their minds within the first 3–5 minutes of a pitch.

  • The rest of the time is typically used to validate or challenge that first impression, not to form it.

3. Investor Feedback

  • Many VCs have shared publicly (e.g., via blogs, interviews, Twitter) that shorter pitches are more impressive because they demonstrate:

    • Clarity of thought

    • Strong prioritization

    • Respect for the investor’s time

4. The “TED Talk Effect”

  • TED Talks are capped at 18 minutes for a reason — even on compelling topics, audience attention drops sharply after 10–15 minutes.

  • In startup pitching, that curve is even steeper due to the volume of pitches investors see.

What’s the Ideal Format?

For an 8-minute pitch, this is a proven structure:

  1. 0:00–1:00 — Hook + What you do

  2. 1:00–2:00 — Problem & why it matters now

  3. 2:00–3:00 — Your solution (product demo, if live)

  4. 3:00–4:00 — Market size + business model

  5. 4:00–5:00 — Traction & key milestones

  6. 5:00–6:00 — Team & competitive edge

  7. 6:00–7:00 — Go-to-market or growth plan

  8. 7:00–8:00 — The ask: funding, what for, and closing statement

No, it's not "proven" like a physics formula — but yes, data-driven insights, attention research, and real investor behavior all point to 8 minutes (or less) being a sweet spot for startup pitches.

Success Stories

Much like Shark Tank launched companies like Scrub Daddy and Everlywell, Lions Den helps startups access non-dilutive capital that propels them forward—especially helpful for mission-driven and early-stage businesses that want to retain full ownership.

Next Steps

Fill in the request form and someone will be in contact. This unlocks access to top-tier fundraising experts, support tools, and curated funding opportunities—without sacrificing equity or control.

HAVE YOUR PITCH DECK READY TO UPLOAD BEFORE PROCEEDING.