APX: Automating Startup Pitch Management
How we helped Axel Springer Porsche X (APX) streamline their dealflow process with conditional logic forms and middleware automation, reducing manual work by 85% while tripling their pitch processing capacity.
About APX
Based in Berlin, the startup hotspot of Europe, APX is a joint-venture between Axel Springer and Porsche, two best-in-class companies in their respective industries. APX is on a mission to connect portfolio startups to mentors, customers, and investors.
Project Scope
- Conditional logic form development
- Middleware automation system
- Database integration & automation
- Dealflow management dashboard
The Challenge
APX was facing significant challenges in managing their growing volume of startup pitches efficiently
Manual Pitch Processing
APX was manually processing hundreds of startup pitches, leading to delays and inconsistencies in their evaluation process.
Our Solution:
Implemented conditional logic forms that automatically categorize and route pitches based on industry and stage.
Data Fragmentation
Pitch data was scattered across multiple systems, making it difficult to track and manage the dealflow effectively.
Our Solution:
Created a unified middleware system that consolidates all pitch data into a centralized database.
Inconsistent Evaluation Criteria
Different team members were using varying criteria to evaluate startups, leading to inconsistent assessments.
Our Solution:
Built standardized evaluation forms with industry-specific criteria and automated scoring systems.
Time-Intensive Administration
The APX team was spending too much time on administrative tasks instead of focusing on startup evaluation.
Our Solution:
Automated the entire dealflow process from pitch submission to database entry and team notifications.
Technical Implementation
Advanced automation features designed to streamline APX's dealflow management
Conditional Logic Engine
Smart form that adapts questions based on startup industry and stage
- Dynamic question routing
- Industry-specific criteria
- Stage-based validation
- Real-time form adaptation
Middleware Automation
Seamless data transfer from forms to database with pre-filled values
- Real-time data processing
- Automated categorization
- Database integration
- Error handling & logging
Dealflow Dashboard
Centralized dashboard for managing and tracking startup pitches
- Pitch status tracking
- Automated scoring
- Team collaboration tools
- Analytics & reporting
Process Automation
Automated workflows that reduce manual administration overhead
- Automated notifications
- Status updates
- Follow-up scheduling
- Team assignments
Project Timeline
11-week development process from discovery to deployment
Discovery & Analysis
Analyzed APX's current pitch process and identified automation opportunities
Deliverables:
- Current process audit
- Stakeholder interviews
- Technical requirements
- Automation strategy
Conditional Logic Design
Designed and developed intelligent form logic based on industry verticals
Deliverables:
- Form logic mapping
- Industry-specific questions
- Validation rules
- User experience flow
Middleware Development
Built middleware service to automate data transfer and dealflow management
Deliverables:
- Database architecture
- API integration
- Automated workflows
- Data validation system
Testing & Deployment
Comprehensive testing and smooth deployment to production
Deliverables:
- System testing
- User acceptance testing
- Performance optimization
- Production deployment
Results & Impact
Transformative results that revolutionized APX's dealflow management
Reduction in manual pitch processing time
Increase in pitch processing capacity
Improvement in data accuracy
Faster decision-making process
Team satisfaction with new system
Reduction in administrative overhead
Technologies Used
Modern tech stack for scalable and efficient automation
What APX Says
Feedback from the APX team on our automation solution
Dr. Andreas Stegmann
Managing Director
APX
"RankSaga's automation solution transformed our dealflow management. We can now process 3x more pitches with the same team size while maintaining higher quality standards."
Sarah Mueller
Investment Manager
APX
"The conditional logic forms are brilliant. They automatically surface the most relevant information for each startup, making our evaluation process much more efficient."
Key Learnings
Important insights from the APX automation project
Conditional Logic Impact
Smart conditional logic can reduce form completion time by 40% while improving data quality through targeted questions.
Middleware Automation
Proper middleware design eliminates manual data entry errors and ensures consistent data flow across systems.
User Experience Focus
Balancing automation with user experience is crucial for adoption and long-term success of any system.
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