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Ask HN: How to Respond to request for demo

2 points by permanent ↗ HN
Hi,

My friends and I have been working on a side, but passionate, project using LLM. Recently, a well-known consulting company has contacted us asking for a demo session and details about the underlying system/model. Initially, I was confused because the product is already available (free trial), so not sure how to present a demo. Otoh, the system/model may be our secret sauce.

How should I prepare a demo presentation? Just screen share and use our app/web? I have never gotten this type of 'cold call', so I'm both flattered and lost. Is the presentation meant to be more of a pitch deck?

PS: Sorry for not describing more about our project! Thought this company may be looking at HN as well.

3 comments

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prirun
IMO they are impressed with your demo and fishing for inside information. If they can get you on the phone, get you talking, and flatter you enough, you'll probably blab some stuff they can use for their own project.

You have a demo available, so obviously that is not what they are interested in.

rainytuesday
They might be trying to "pick your brain" aka rip you off by learning enough details so they can replicate in house -- and maybe you're falling for it because you're "flattered". Don't give them any sauce, give them no sauce.
gofreddygo
well you could double down.

They're a consulting company. they know a client whom they plan to contract your product/services out to, keeping their middle man commission.

if only you could find out who their real client was... ;)