Whether you’re looking to use the Pre app at your next event, or just want to try it out, this guide will get you up to speed.
With this guide you will learn how to...
1. Setup your Event on the app
2. Customize it to your liking
3. Run your Event with the app
First Things First
Download the Pre app. There are two types of accounts on Pre: preInvestor and Startup. You want to select the preInvestor account. (Startup accounts cannot host events or play the role of investors on Pre). Once you have created your account, launch the app and sign in.
1. Setting up your Event Details
When you sign into Pre, you will land on the Home screen. Tap the Host button and fill out your basic event info.
- Event Name: How your event will appear on Pre
- Event Location: City, State
- Event Date: Select a date
After you fill out the basic information, tap the Submit button. Tapping on the submit button will create an event on the app, but will not yet make it “live” for others to be able to join your event. After clicking on the Submit button, you will be taken to the Event Info page where you can fully customize your event.
2. Editing your Event Info
You should now be on the Event Info page. This is the page where you can edit all your details and activate your event so that others can join. Go through the following three sections to understand what you can do.
A. Event Details
Here you can edit the event details you entered earlier. This is also where you can edit the amount of preMoney everyone in the audience will receive. To make changes, tap the Edit button at the top of the box. After making changes, tap Submit.
B. Startups Participating
The Startups Participating box is where you add or delete startups to your event list. You add them to the list. They confirm their participation. When everyone has confirmed, you are ready to activate the event.
There are three ways for you to add startups to the list:
Option 1: Adding each startup manually
Tap on the green 
button at the bottom right corner of the box and fill out the startup's name and email.
By using this button, an email is sent from Pre directly to the startup's email you enter.
If the startup already has a Pre account, it will only need to confirm its participation by clicking on a link received.
If it does not have an account, clicking on the link creates an account for the startup and also
the startup's participation at your event is confirmed.
Until the startup clicks on the link to confirm its participation, it will show up as “awaiting startup response” in the box at your end.
Option 2: Send participation info to all startups at once
Use the Share icon 
on the top right corner of the box to send them event information.
They will receive the 6-digit Startup Code to apply to your event as well as instructions on how to download the app and apply to your event.
In this case, the startup will have to first create a startup account on Pre.
After creating an account, they can join your event using the Startup code.
Option 3: Send participation info to all startups at once
Alternatively, if you are still accepting applications from startups to pitch at your event,
you can post the 6-digit code on your website as well as in your communications. Startups
can use the code to apply directly through the app. The startup code can be found in the
Instructions box at the bottom of the Event Info page. You can also find it in the email
you received from Pre when you first submitted your event details.
You can remove any applicant from the list by simply tapping the Delete button next to their name. Once you do so, the deleted presenter will be automatically notified.
The order in which the startups are displayed in the Startups Participating box is the order in which they will be displayed on the Investment screen. You can reorder the startups by clicking on the Reorder button. This will take you to the Startups Reorder screen where you can hold + drag the startup name to the order you like.
C. Rating Criteria
You can change the default rating criteria that your audience will use to rate each pitch. To change the default criteria, tap on the Edit button. It will take you to the Rating Criteria screen.
If you do not want to have a ratings feedback for the startups at your event, tap the Disable switch at the top of the page.
The questions displayed are the ones that the audience will see and rate. To delete or edit any question, tap on the right end of the box containing that question. If you want to add a custom question, tap the ADD button at the bottom of the page.
To change the order of a question, tap on the question, hold it and drag it to the position you will like it to be at.
Once you are satisfied with your Rating selections, exit the screen using the back arrow button.
3. Activating the Event
The final step is to activate the event. This means that the event will be live. After you activate the event, audience can join and start investing preMoney in the startups at your event.
Before you activate, make sure ...
1. Your Event Details are correct
2. All of the Participating Startups are on the list.
3. Your rating criteria are relevant to your event
4. Running your Event with the app
So you’ve set up your event details, Activated your event into the app... now it’s time to compete! After activation, you’ll be taken to the Host screen.
This is the interface for controlling the event! To get to this screen from the Dashboard, tap the Host button and tap the name of your event on the View Info screen.
A. Event Code
Your event code will be the way for your audience to gain access to your event in the app. Your audience will login to their preInvestor accounts, and enter this Event Code into the Join section on the Dashboard.
Once you give your audience access to your event, they will immediately be able to start investing, rating, and messaging the startups; so it is best to release your event code as close to the start of your event as possible.
Your event code can be found at several places: 1) in your event creation email, 2) in your event activation email, 3) on the Event Info page before activation, and 4) on the Event Console screen after activating the event.
B. Judges Code
If your event will have judges or panelists, they should use the 8-digit Judges Code. Judges use a preInvestor account similar to the audience.
The judges and the audience will use the same criteria and the same amount of preMoney for the event. However, the judges' collective preInvestments and rating decisions will be calculated and displayed separately from that of your audience.
In the absence of a panel, you can use the judges code to differentiate certified investors from the general audience.
C. Reminders
Throughout your event, be sure to remind your audience to Rate each pitch (if you’ve enabled Ratings), to send messages to startups, and to actively invest. The more engaged they are throughout your event, the more rewarding their experience and the more valuable your event becomes for every participant!
A simple announcement in between pitches or reminder slides in a presentation are effective ways to keep your audience active and participating!
5. Ending the Event
Once your last startup has presented, you’re almost at the end of your competition! Give a 5 minute warning before you end the event in the app, so your audience and judges can make any final adjustments to their preInvestments.
On the Host Screen, tap the End Event button to officially close the Investment Window. At this point, your audience cannot make any more changes to their investments. When you are ready to announce the winners, tap the Display Results button. When you do so, all participants will be immediately able to view the results on their devices.
That is how you use the Pre app to make your pitch event more fun, engaging and rewarding for all your participants. For further help or details, you can contact us.