What happens when an FBI-trained negotiation coach brings elite sales psychology into the startup world? You get a masterclass in influence, integrity, and investor persuasion.
Today’s episode of Startuprad.io features Matthias Bullmahn, a crisis negotiation expert, former Accenture executive, and storytelling coach — here to show founders how to negotiate like pros and scale without manipulation.
What You'll Learn:
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How to apply BATNA to investor negotiations and enterprise sales
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The 3 killer words ruining most pitches — and what to say instead
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Why founders fail when they ignore buyer psychology and emotional triggers
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How to use the Motive Compass to close deals faster
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How AI fits (and fails) in human-centric sales strategies
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</ul>
Guest Spotlight: 
Matthias Bullmahn is one of Germany’s leading voices in ethical sales psychology, negotiation, and strategic communication. He’s trained with the former heads of the FBI and Scotland Yard, founded a department at Accenture focused on agile transformation, and today advises founders, corporates, and investors on emotionally intelligent deal-making.
Now It Is Up To YOU: 
If you’re a founder, executive, or investor who values clear strategy over sales fluff, this episode is your playbook.

Subscribe to Startuprad.io on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone negotiating their next big deal.
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<h2>📌 Show Notes</h2>
Guest Name: Matthias Bullmahn, Sales Psychologist & Strategic Communications Expert
Related Blog Posts on Startuprad.io:
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🎙️ <a href="https://www.startuprad.io/post/mastering-startup-negotiation-tactics-sales-psychology-meets-fbi-playbooks" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">Mastering Startup Negotiation Tactics: Sales Psychology Meets FBI Playbooks</a>
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🧠 <a href="https://www.startuprad.io/post/batna-for-founders-your-ultimate-safety-net-in-investor-talks" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">BATNA for Founders: Your Ultimate Safety Net in Investor Talks</a>
</li>
<li>
💬 <a href="https://www.startuprad.io/post/3-words-that-kill-your-startup-pitch-and-what-to-say-instead" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">3 Words That Kill Your Startup Pitch (and What to Say Instead)</a>
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📊 <a href="https://www.startuprad.io/post/case-study-ecotech-startup-closes-investor-without-product-in-market" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">Case Study: Ecotech Startup Closes Investor Without Product in Market</a>
</li>
</ul>
Relevant External Resources:
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<li>
<a href="https://www.pon.harvard.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">Harvard Negotiation Project</a>
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<a href="https://www.eilert-akademie.de" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_new">Motive Compass by Dirk Eilert (German)</a>
Timestamps: 
00:00 – Introduction to Matthias & FBI Training 
04:54 – BATNA and Deal Power for Founders 
08:45 – Ethical Sales Psychology Explained 
18:55 – The Motive Compass: What Drives Buyers? 
27:40 – AI in Sales: When It Works, When It Fails 
39:10 – How to Win Trust in a Distracted Market 
47:05 – Final Advice for Founders & Pitch Mistakes
</li>
</ul>

Negotiate Like the FBI: Sales Psychology for Startup Founders

What happens when an FBI-trained negotiation coach brings elite sales psychology into the startup world? You get a masterclass in influence, integrity, and investor persuasion. Today’s episode of Startuprad.io features Matthias Bullmahn, a crisis negotiation expert, former Accenture executive, and storytelling coach — here to show founders how to negotiate like pros and scale without [&hellip;]