how to give a great business presentation to investors

Best Practices for Creating a Top-Notch Investment Presentation

Raising venture capital is difficult. On top of having a business or product that a VC finds “fundable,” you need to have a system in place to raise capital. This includes everything from identifying the right investors to pitching investors to nurturing investors.

Related Resource: How To Write the Perfect Investor Update (Tips and Templates)

Inevitably, you will have to present or pitch to investors over the course of a fundraise (typically using a pitch deck ). To learn more about how to best pitch and present to your potential investors, check out our tips below:

What is the purpose of an investment presentation?

An investment presentation or pitch is a tool to help founders share their company story and vision with investors. An investor presentation is a visual representation of your company narrative and includes things like metrics, roadmaps, team members, etc.

Kristian Andersen of High Alpha breaks down how founders should think about crafting their pitch deck and story below:

Related Resource: Tips for Creating an Investor Pitch Deck

How long should an investment presentation be?

There is no exact answer when it comes to determining the length of your pitch deck. Different businesses and pitches will require different pitch decks, but we have found that as a rule of thumb founders should shoot for a pitch deck that is 12 slides or less.

We studied our own data from our pitch deck sharing tool and found that the average number of slides in a pitch deck (where 100% of slides were viewed) was 12.2 slides.

Related Resource: Pitch Deck 101: How Many Slides Should My Pitch Deck Have?

Many investors agree with somewhere between the 10 to 15 slide range as well. Alex Iskold of 2048 recommends a short pitch deck that should be 10 or fewer slides.

What your pitch deck should look like for your investment presentation

As we mentioned previously, every business is different. The needs for different slides and narratives will differ from business to business. However, there are a few slides that are typically used regardless of the business. Check out a few popular pitch deck slides below:

1) Discuss the company overview

First things first, clearly present your company and what you do. This should be easy to digest and understand for the investors you are pitching.

2) Present the problem

Use data, stories, or a compelling way to present the problem you are solving. Ideally, you’d like your audience to feel the problem or have a good grasp of others experiencing the problem.

3) Present your solution

Once investors understand the problem you are tackling, you need to lay out how your solution solves the problem. Make the case why you and your solution are the ones to solve the problem.

4) Highlight the target market

Next, lay out the target market and what your ideal customer looks like. This can help investors answer the “why now?” question.

5) Illustrate the market opportunity

At the end of the day, investors want to invest in companies that can turn into huge companies. Demonstrate the market and how it is (or has the opportunity) to become a large market.

6) Identify the competition

Investors will want to understand the space. Lay out your competitors and explain how you are different and better than them.

7) Showcase your product

Next, showcase the status of your product and future plans. Use data or customer stories to share how awesome your product is.

8) Share why your team is the one to solve the problem

Show your executive team members and share their relevant experience and skills so investors understand why your team is fit to execute the problem and the solution.

9) Explain your business model and marketing strategies

Investors want to know that your business has a clear plan and strategy to generate revenue. Clearly lay out your acquisition strategy and sales & marketing efforts to date so investors can understand how your business will attract and close new customers.

10) Present financial data and metrics

Of course, investors want to see the data and metrics behind your business. Lay out key financial and core metrics so investors know the status of your business.

Qualities investors want to see

An investor’s job is to generate returns for their investors (limited partners, LPs). What investors look for in a potential investment will vary from firm to firm but we laid out a few of the common attributes investors want to see in a founder and their business below:

• Large market
• Clear customer acquisition strategy
• Experienced team
• Strong leadership
• Traction and growth
• Coachability

Of course, those are just a few of the traits investors will look for in a founder or startup. Different investors will place a different level of importance on different attributes. It is important to understand what an investor looks for in an investment and tailor your pitch to them.

Related Resource: Startup Metrics You Need to Monitor

Best practices for a top-notch investor presentation

As we’ve mentioned, different investors will look for different attributes in a presentation. However, most things investors look for can be boiled down to a few key areas. Below we lay out a few best practices for putting together a top-notch investor presentation.

Practice your pitch

This should go without saying but make sure you practice your pitch. You should know the ins and outs of your presentation and business. Of course, practicing in front of a mirror or friend can only go so far.

Some founders and investors recommend “ranking” your investors before approaching investors. E.g. Tier 1 investors are the best fit, Tier 3 are less of a fit for your business. If you rank your investors you’ll be able to spend some of your earliest pitches on “Tier 3” (or lower fit) investors to dial in your pitch and prepare for your pitches with better fit investors later on in your fundraise.

Related Resource: How to Pitch a Perfect Series B Round (With Deck Template)

Keep your message simple and clear

Investors see hundreds or thousands of pitches over a given year. Being able to clearly articulate your message and pitch is a surefire way to remove any confusion. By keeping your message simple and clear, you’ll remove any back-and-forth wasted on small details and be able to spend time on what matters most — having a conversation about your business.

Find ways to connect with the investors

At the end of the day, a founder is selling their company to potential investors. Like a good sales process, a good investor pitch starts by building a relationship and trust. When pitching potential investors, find ways to connect with them in advance of the pitch. This could be everything from following and interacting with them on Twitter to going to in-person events where they are present.

Highlight early successes and wins

Get potential investors excited about your business by sharing early successes and wins. This will get the presentation off on the right foot and allow everyone to build excitement around your business. Of course, try to back up your early successes and wins with data when possible.

Know your metrics

Inevitably, investors will want to dig into the metrics and data behind your business. For most investors, this is used to evaluate your business and could be considered the best predictor of success for your business.

However, metrics can also be a barometer for how well you know your business. You don’t need to remember every data point behind your business but need to know how different metrics are calculated and what causes any major fluctuations.

Include engaging visuals and graphics

An investor presentation is a tool used to pitch your business. In order to best engage with your audience, you should aim to have engaging visuals and graphics throughout your presentation. Of course, the underlying data is what is most important but having engaging and easy-to-understand visuals and graphics is a great way to support and improve your pitch.

Leave time for questions

The best pitches and presentations tend to be more conversational. You’ll want to balance feeding your investors with the material they need and also be able to have a constructive conversation about your business. By coming prepared, having a clear and simple presentation, and engaging with your investors beforehand is a surefire way to have a conversation about your business.

Communicate before your presentation

Investors need months of data and interactions to make a decision about a potential investment. In order to best help investors build conviction and have more meaningful conversations, make sure you are engaging with potential investors on a regular basis. This can be in the form of your monthly investor updates or sharing your pitch deck in advance before a meeting.

Sharing your pitch deck in advance of a meeting is a hot topic. Some investors will say you should and some will say the opposite. At the end of the day, it is important for you to feel out the investor and do what you believe is best for you and your business.

Related Resource: 18 Pitch Deck Examples for Any Startup

In-person vs remote investment presentations

Before 2020, investment presentations were generally in-person. However, since the way we work has shifted so have investment presentations. Investors are largely open to receiving pitches and making investment decisions via a remote presentation. Learn more about the pros and cons of both in-person and remote presentations below:

In-person presentation

Before 2020, in-person presentations were the go-to for investment presentations. In-person presentations come with both pros and cons. On the positive side, in-person presentations are typically a better way to build relationships and will make sure an investor’s time is undivided.

On the other hand, in-person presentations can be expensive (both financially and time-wise) for an early-stage startup founder that might not have the resources to travel across the country. This will likely limit the number of potential investors that a founder can meet with over the course of a fundraise.

Remote presentation

Remote presentations and investor pitches have risen in popularity since COVID. Many investors are becoming comfortable with investing in companies remotely and is largely accepted by most investors. Like in-person presentations, remote presentations come with their own unique set of pros and cons.

On the positive side, remote presentations allow founders to meet with more investors as it is more viable financially (and time-wise) to meet with investors remotely. On the flip side, some individuals might find that developing a relationship remotely is more difficult and can take more meetings and a different style of communication to build trust.

Share your pitch deck with Visible

With our suite of fundraising tools, you can easily find investors , share your pitch deck, and track your fundraising funnel. Learn more about our pitch deck sharing tool and give it a free try here .

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How to Prepare a Successful Investor Pitch Deck and Presentation

The investor pitch is one of the most important tools an entrepreneur has for raising capital. It is no secret that a successful investor pitch can make or break your chances of securing funding for your business venture. 

As an entrepreneur, you only have a limited amount of time to make a good impression on potential investors. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs fail to prepare a successful pitch, resulting in missed opportunities and wasted time.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to prepare a successful investor pitch deck and presentation. We will discuss topics such as what information should be included in your pitch, how to structure your presentation, and how to effectively deliver your message. By following the advice in this guide, you will be well on your way to impressing potential investors and securing the funding you need for your business venture.

One of the most important aspects of a successful investor pitch is the content. 

Your pitch should include information about your business model, your competitive landscape, and your financial projections. In addition, you will need to address any concerns that investors may have about your business. For example, if you are pitching a new technology product, you will need to explain why consumers will want to use it and how you plan on marketing it effectively. If you are pitching a new app or service, you need to explain what problem it solves and why people would be willing to pay for it. 

The key is to provide enough information so that investors can understand your business and see the potential for growth but not so much that they get bogged down in the details. The best pitches strike a balance between being informative and concise.

Content Structure

A typical structure we recommend to entrepreneurs includes the following

• Executive summary : The executive summary should be a one-page overview of your business that includes your company’s mission statement, a brief description of your products or services, and an overview of your target market.
• The problem : This describes the issue that your product or service is attempting to solve. Also, you should describe who faces this problem,how it is currently being dealt with today, and the shortcomings and costs of existing solutions.
• Your solution : This is where you describe the solution you will offer for the problem your potential customers currently face. 
• Your team : Highlight the team behind your product and their qualifications to be trusted in handling your project.
• The market size : Talk about the size of the industry you’re serving and its projected growth.
• Traction : What milestones have you achieved so far? Traction is the measurable demonstration of your business’s ability to solve the problem combined with the proof of the business’s potential to grow over time.
• Competition: How does the competitive landscape. What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats vis-a-vis your competitors?
• Financial statement : This is where you include your financial models, income statement, cash flow forecast, and balance sheet.
• Your long-term future plans : These are your next steps. It explains what your plans are for future funding and how these funds will be used to continue your business growth.
• FAQ : The final section should be reserved for frequently asked questions. This allows you to answer any lingering questions that the investors may have about your business venture.

Let's probe into each of these in more detail.

Executive Summary

This is a one-page overview of your business that includes your company’s mission statement, a brief description of your products or services, and an overview of your target market. 

The purpose of the executive summary is to give investors a zoomed-out view of your business so that they can quickly decide if it is something they are interested in.

It should be clear, concise, and free from any unnecessary jargon or technical terms. The executive summary should be visually appealing and easy to read; bullet points are often helpful in this regard. Finally, you want to make sure it leaves potential investors wanting more by providing just enough information to pique their interest without giving away too much detail about your business plan.

Remember when crafting your own executive summary, the goal is to give investors a quick and easy way to understand what your business is all about. Keep it short, and free of any unnecessary fluff.

One great historic example of an executive summary is from Ronald Wayne, the third co-founder of Apple . In 1976, he wrote up a one-page agreement that summarized the key points about the new company. The document included information such as the name of the company (Apple Computer Company), its address (360 N Virginia St.), and its purpose (“To develop and sell personal computers.”)

It also listed out each founder’s roles and responsibilities within the company. 

While this executive summary was short and to-the-point, it provided enough information for investors to understand what Apple was all about and see potential in investing in the young startup.

You, too, can use the executive summary to give investors a quick overview of your business and what makes it unique.

By including key information such as your company’s mission statement, a brief description of your products or services, and an overview of your target market, you will be well on your way to preparing a successful investor pitch.

The next piece of information you need to include in your investor pitch is the problem that your product or service is solving.

The Problem

This should describe the issue that your potential customers are facing and how it is currently being dealt with. In addition, you will want to show investors why your solution is better than any existing alternatives. 

For example, if you are pitching a new app that helps people save money on groceries, you would want to describe the current methods people use for grocery shopping (such as clipping coupons or comparison shopping) and how they often fall short (such as not knowing which coupons are available or taking too much time comparing prices).

You would then explain how your app solves these problems by providing users with personalized recommendations for where they can find the best deals on groceries. By showing investors how your product solves a specific problem in a more effective way than existing solutions, you will be one step closer to impressing them and securing funding for your business venture.

When Peter Thiel was pitching PayPal to potential investors, he focused on the problem that people were facing with online payments. At the time, there were no safe and convenient ways to pay for goods and services online.

This created a major pain point for consumers as well as businesses who were trying to sell products or services online. Thiel’s solution was PayPal, which allowed users to securely send and receive money using only an email address. By focusing on the problem that people were facing with online payments, Thiel was able to show potential investors why his solution was needed and how it would revolutionize the way people interact with businesses online.

What problem is your product or service solving? 

How does it compare to existing solutions? 

By answering these questions, you will be able to craft a convincing argument for why investors should believe in your business and fund your venture.

When describing the problem your product or service solves, it can be helpful to use what is known as the “job-to-be-done” framework. 

This framework was popularized by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen and focuses on understanding the underlying reasons why people purchase a particular product or service.

For example, when someone buys a drill, they are not actually buying the drill itself but rather the “job” that they need to get done (such as drilling a hole in their wall). 

By understanding the job that your potential customers are trying to get done, you will be better equipped to position your product or service as the best solution for them.

After describing the problem, now is your chance to show investors how your product or service solves the pain points that you have previously described.

The Solution

This is an opportunity for you to describe the solution to the problem your potential customers currently face. 

So, if you are pitching a new money-saving app for those purchasing groceries, you would want to explain how your app provides users with personalized recommendations for where they can find the best deals on groceries. 

When Mark Zuckerberg was pitching Facebook to potential investors, he focused on its unique ability to connect people online in a way that had never been done before. He explained how Facebook allows users to stay connected with their friends and family members no matter where they are in the world.

Zuckerberg also talked about how businesses could use Facebook as a platform to reach out directly to consumers and build relationships with them (something that was not possible with traditional advertising methods). By focusing on its unique ability to connect people online, he was able to highlight why Facebook deserved investment despite being just another social networking site at a time when there were already many established players such as MySpace.

Describe how your solution addresses the problem your potential customers currently face.

This is your chance to show investors how your product or service solves the pain points that you have previously described. 

Two key questions to ask yourself (and answer) are: a) what makes my product or service unique? And b) how does it solve the problem in a better way than existing solutions? 

Remember that when describing the solution, you want to focus on how your product or service is uniquely positioned to solve a specific problem. 

Tips for Presenting your Solution: 

• Keep it simple : The solution should be easy for investors to understand. Avoid using any technical jargon or terms that they may not be familiar with.
• Be specific : Describe exactly how your product or service solves the problem in a better way than existing solutions.
• Focus on the benefits : Explain how your product or service will make life easier for potential customers and why they would want to use it over existing alternatives.
• Paint a picture : Use visuals to help investors visualize how your product or service works. A demo video can be especially helpful in this regard. Make it tangible.
• Address any concerns : If there are any potential concerns that investors may have about your product or service, make sure to address them head-on. For example, if you are pitching a new technology product, you will need to explain how you will achieve the technological edge over your competitors, why consumers will want to use your solution and how you plan on marketing it effectively.

Let's now talk about the team behind your product and their qualifications to be trusted in handling your project. 

This is your chance to show investors that you have assembled an A team of qualified individuals who are passionate about solving the problem that your product or service addresses. 

For example, if you are pitching a new app that helps people save money on groceries, you would want to include information such as the experience of your team members in fields such as grocery-chain veterans, software development, user experience design, and marketing.

Some key points to keep in mind when crafting this part of your presentation include:

• Keep it short: You only have a limited amount of time to make an impression on potential investors so make sure not to bog them down with too many details about each team member’s background. Instead focus on highlighting their most important credentials and why those credentials make them well-suited for working on this particular project. 30 to 45 seconds for every key team member should suffice, and no more than 4 highlighted individuals.
• Focus on diverse backgrounds: Potential investors will often look favorably upon teams with diverse backgrounds as it shows that different perspectives are being represented
• Highlight Awards & Recognition: Be sure to mention any major awards or recognition

Take some time to think about the different backgrounds and skillsets that your team members bring to the table. Then, highlight why those credentials make them well-suited for working on this particular project.

The Market Size

It can be helpful to provide some context around why this particular market is growing or changing. For example, an increase in online shopping due to Covid-19. Show investors that there is a large potential customer base for your product or service and explain why this market is attractive.

A couple of questions you should answer are:

• How big is the total addressable market for your product or service?
• Is this particular market growing or changing (and if so, why)? 

Consider the following resources when researching the size of your market:

• Industry reports : These can be helpful in understanding the overall size and growth of a particular market. For example, if you are pitching a new app for pet owners, you could look at industry reports such as the American Pet Products Association’s “Pet Owners Survey” to learn more about this market. Also consider websites like statista.com, pewsocialtrends.org , edisonresearch.com
• Government data : Websites like census.gov can provide useful information on population trends that might impact the potential customer base for your product or service. Consider websites like census.gov and usa.gov/statistics
• Secondary research : In addition to industry reports and government data, there are a number of other sources that can provide helpful insights into the size of your target market. These include trade associations, market research firms, and business directories. Consider websites like nasdaq.com , www.dnb.com, marketsandmarkets.com , bcg.com

Traction is a measure of your business’s growth and momentum within the market you are addressing. It can be helpful to think of traction as the “proof” that your business is working and that there is customer demand for your product or service.

There are a number of different ways to measure traction, but some common metrics include pilots, numbers and names of customers, revenue growth, user growth, and engagement metrics. 

Some other metrics could include marketing campaigns (and their success), press coverage (the more prestigious the media outlet - the better), brand mentions on tweets and big-shots that have tweeted about your idea or company, testimonials, subscribers, and more. 

Including information about your business’s traction in your investor pitch can be helpful in convincing potential investors that now is the right time to invest in your company. After all, if you can show them that you have already achieved significant growth with limited resources, they will likely be more interested in supporting your venture moving forward. 

How do you go about including this information in your presentation? 

Start by focusing on one or two key metrics that best demonstrate the momentum behind your business. Then provide context around these numbers by explaining what they mean and why they are important. For example, if you are pitching a new app for pet owners and have seen strong revenue growth over the past six months, highlight this trend by showing investors a graph depicting this increase over time. You could then explain why this uptick is important (perhaps pet ownership has increased during Covid-19) and how it positions your company for continued success in the future.

Imagine you are pitching a new social media platform to potential investors.

One way to showcase the traction behind your business would be to include information about the number of users who have signed up for your platform, as well as how much time they are spending on the site each day.

You could also highlight any partnerships you have formed with other businesses or influencers and mention any press coverage you have received. All of this information will help show potential investors that your business is gaining momentum and has what it takes to be successful in the long run.

The Competition

Be sure to address the competition in your investor pitch. This will show that you have done your homework and are aware of the other companies in your industry. Reviewing your competition openly will give you an opportunity to discuss why you believe your company is better positioned for success than others. If you come to the conclusion that you don’t have any direct competitors, it may be that investors who hear this might decide that you have not performed your due diligence and will decline to back your business.

There are a few key points you’ll want to hit when discussing the competition in your investor pitch:

• Competitive landscape: Provide an overview of the competitive landscape. Consider all the products similar to yours in the market, and all the companies that solve similar problems to the one you are addressing. List your key competitors, and what they've done to succeed. Include a brief description of each competitor and their respective market share. Investors will be particularly interested in hearing customers' complaints about your competitors' products. 
• Your uniqueness: Discuss what makes your company unique and better positioned for success than others. This could be anything from a new technology you have developed to a more efficient production process. 
• Threats: Don’t forget to mention any potential threats that could impact your business down the road such as new entrants into the market or changes in consumer preferences.

Including this information in your presentation will show investors that you have taken the time to research the industry and understand where your company fits within it.

We recommend using a competitive analysis framework to help you organize your thoughts and gather the relevant information to include in your pitch. One great framework to use is known as the Five Forces framework. 

The Five Forces is a tool created by economist Michael E. Porter that can be used to assess the competitive intensity of an industry and the corresponding attractiveness of opportunities within that industry. The five forces are:

• Threat of new entrants : How easy is it for new firms to enter the market and compete against existing firms? (e.g., high barriers to entry)
• Bargaining power of buyers : How much negotiating leverage do buyers have when purchasing products from suppliers in the industry? ( e. g., few buyers, switching costs)
• Bargaining power of suppliers : How much negotiating leverage do suppliers have when selling inputs to firms in the industry? ( e. g., many supplier options, differentiated products)
• The threat posed by substitute products : What alternatives do customers have if they decide not to purchase your product? (e.g., close substitutes, low switching costs)
• Intensity of competitive rivalry : How intense is competition among existing firms in this market?

The Five Forces framework can help you identify which areas of the industry are most attractive for opportunities and where there may be more competition. By taking the time to assess the competitive landscape prior to pitching your business, you will be better prepared to discuss why your company has what it takes to succeed in spite of any challenges that exist.

One critical question to address during this part of your investors deck is - what is your moat? A moat is a competitive advantage that makes it difficult for other companies to compete against you. This could be anything from a loyal customer base to patents or proprietary technology. When assessing your company’s moat, ask yourself the following questions:

• What does my company have that others don’t? 
• How hard would it be for another firm to replicate what I have built? 
• What are the costs associated with replicating my business model? 
• What switching costs do my customers face if they decide to leave me for another supplier?

To assess your company’s moat, you will need to spend some time researching your industry and looking at what others are doing. Once you have a good understanding of the landscape, you can begin to identify areas where you may have an advantage over others.

Financial Statement

The next step is to provide potential investors with an overview of your financial situation. This should include information such as your current revenue, expenses, and burn rate (the rate at which you are spending money). 

In addition, it is often helpful to include a short-term and long-term forecast of your finances so that investors can see how you expect your business to grow over time.

Think of your financial statement as a snapshot of your company’s health. For example, if you are currently generating $1 million in annual revenue but anticipate doubling this figure within the next year, be sure to mention this on your financial statement slide. 

By providing potential investors with a clear picture of your current financial situation as well as where you expect things to be in the future, they will be able to get a better sense of whether or not investing in your company is a wise decision.

Remember when crafting your financial statement that the goal is to provide potential investors with a clear picture of your current financial situation as well as where you expect things to be in the future. Warren Buffet is famously quoted as saying, “If you can’t write it down on one page, I don’t want to hear about it.” Buffett understands that by looking at the numbers, he can get a clear picture of a company’s financial health and make more informed investment decisions. As an entrepreneur, you should take a page out of Buffett’s book and make sure that your financial statement is clear, concise, and easy for potential investors to understand. 

We suggest the following format for your financial statement:

• Income Statement : Showing revenues, expenses, and profits over a period of time
• Balance Sheet : Showing what the company owns (assets) and owes (liabilities) at a specific point in time
• Cash Flow Statement : Showing how cash is moving in and out of the business over a period of time.

Terms of the Round

The financial plan is a critical component of your investor pitch deck. This section will give investors a clear idea of your business’s financial situation, including your current revenues and expenses, as well as your projected revenues and expenses for the future.

In addition, the financial plan should include information on how you intend to use any funding that you are seeking from investors. For example, if you are looking for $1 million in funding, what specific purposes will this money be used for? 

Will it be used to hire new employees? To launch a new marketing campaign? To open up a new office location? Be sure to include these details in your financial plan.

Some key elements you will want to include in your financial plan are:

• Amount you’re seeking, amount of equity you are giving away and conditions
• Use of proceeds: how you intend to use the investment money
• A detailed description of how you intend to generate revenue
• Your short-term and long-term business goals
• A breakdown of your costs and expenses
• A valuation assessment of your company
• Current cap table
• Shares outstanding pre-money and post-money
• Funding source for previous rounds

A well thought out financial plan will give investors confidence that you have a clear understanding of your business model and how you intend to generate revenue. It will also demonstrate that you have put serious thought into the feasibility of your business idea and its potential for long term success.

Your Long-term Future Plans

You will also want to include some information about your long-term plans for the company. 

This is important because it shows investors that you are thinking ahead and have a vision for where you see the business going. 

It can be helpful to include things such as long term product pipeline, milestone syou hope to achieve, projected financials (revenue, expenses, etc.)

We recommend addressing the following items when presenting your long-term plans:

• Plan of action
• Sources of revenue, projected sales, margins
• Profitability forecasts
• Balance sheet projection
• Growth and opportunity timeline
• Impact of team expansion on cash flow
• Exit strategy

Plan of Action

Your plan of action is a high-level overview of the steps you will take to achieve your long-term goals. It should include things such as when you plan on launching new products, expanding into new markets, or hiring additional staff.

Include information about your projected sales and margins for the next few years. This will give investors an idea of how much revenue you expect to generate and what kind of profit margin they can expect from investing in your company. It is also important to include any assumptions that you are making about future sales (e.g., market growth rate, product pricing). Being transparent about your projections will help build trust with your investors.

Exit Strategy

An exit strategy is a plan for how (and to whom) you may sell your company or when you plan to offer it on the public market. This information is important because it helps investors understand what they can expect from investing in your business. It shows that you have thought about the future of the company and have a plan in place for when it is time to capitalize on the initial investment. There are many different types of exit strategies, so be sure to include the one that makes the most sense for your business. Some common examples include selling the company to a larger company or taking it public through an IPO.. 

Discussing your exit strategy shows that you have thought about your investors’ interests and that their investment will generate more value down the road, and not just help you to keep the lights on for another month.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Make time in your investors' pitch to allow for questions and be prepared to answer them, even if the question is not directly relevant. It shows that you're truly interested in what they think and care about their input. While it's nearly impossible to predict every question an investor may ask you, prepare for some of the most common questions that were not covered in your pitch:

• How did you come up with the idea for your business?
• Why do you believe your team is qualified to execute on this opportunity?
• What are your unit economics?
• How have you validated your market opportunity?
• Describe your competitive landscape and how you plan to differentiate yourself in the market.
• When do you anticipate reaching profitability?
• What are the biggest risks and challenges facing your business?
• How did you come up with your valuation?
• Have you had any conversations with potential acquirers?
• How much money are you looking to raise and for what purpose?
• Do you have any existing relationships with potential investors?

Consider these questions and prepare to answer them with confidence.

Now you know the critical ingredients you should prepare for your pitch. 

Before we let you go, here are a few key tips to delivering an effective presentation. Remember - content is only half of the ingredients of a successful pitch.

Presentation Tips

If you were making a cake, the content would be the ingredients, and how you mix them together and bake them would be your presentation skills. Here are a few key tips:

• Practice, practice, practice - A successful investor pitch requires careful planning and execution in order to convince investors to provide funding for your startup. Knowing your material cold is not enough; it is important to rehearse your delivery daily so you come across as polished and professional. Preparing well will allow free you from the dreadful reading from your slides or notes.
• Start strongly - Grab investors' attention from the beginning with a compelling story or statistic that will make them want to hear more.
• Be clear and concise - Use simple language that can be understood by everyone in the room, and get to the point quickly without beating around the bush. Being concise is so important that, perhaps somewhat ironically, Y Combinator partner Kevin Hale speaks about the importance of this point for seven whole minutes in his outstanding lecture about pitching startups .
• Be passionate - Show excitement about your business and market opportunity; you're trying to convince others to believe in your vision!
• Visuals matter - Use high-quality visuals (e charts, graphs, photos) throughout your presentation to support your points; slides should complement what you're saying, not repeat it verbatim.
• Do not read off your slides - This is a surefire way to lose investors' attention. Instead, use your slides as a guide and speak extemporaneously about the topics you've prepared.
• Be prepared for questions - Have answers ready for commonly asked questions about your business and industry. Be sure to answer each question thoroughly but concisely; if you don't know the answer to a question, be honest and say so.
• Speak slowly and clearly - An investor presentation is not the time to speed up your talking or try out a new vocal fry.
• Make eye contact - With each person in the room, if possible. This will help you come across as sincere and trustworthy.
• Smile! - A genuine smile goes a long way in making a good impression; it makes you appear more likable and creates a positive association with your business in investors' minds.
• Avoid filler words such as “um” or “like“   -  Using filler words makes you come across as nervous and unprepared, two qualities that will not instill confidence in investors.
• Dress the part - First impressions matter, so be sure to dress professionally in clothing that is clean and wrinkle-free. This shows that you're taking the pitch seriously and are respectful of investors' time.
• End on a strong note - Thank investors for their time and interest, then provide a brief overview of your key points to leave them with a lasting impression of your business.

One Final Tip...

Always follow up. After the pitch, be sure to send a thank-you note or email to each investor. You can use this interaction to send answers to questions you didn’t have the answer to during the presentation. 

This not only shows your appreciation and professionalism, but also keeps you top of mind in case they have any additional questions or are interested in investing.

Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to delivering a successful investor pitch and securing the funding you need to grow your business.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How to Present to Investors: 5 Proven Ways to Nail Your Pitch

Presenting a business pitch can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first time doing so. Before you can get your investor’s nod of approval, you must first succeed in getting them to listen to your business plan. After all, your goal is to persuade your investors into funding your startup. With enough funding, you’ll be able to take your small business to the next level.

If you want to learn how to present to investors, here are some tried and true tips for creating a successful pitch for your business.

Table of Contents

Getting a suitable investor to invest in your business isn’t a walk in the park. You must succeed in proving that your business has the potential to grow. For this to happen, you’ll need to come up with a  convincing business pitch presentation .

How to Present to Investors? Tips to Improve Your Business Presentation

You might ask yourself how to present to investors in a way that will pique their interest. While showcasing your enthusiasm can be a good thing, it won’t be enough to incite your investors to give you some funding. Below are some tips on how to successfully present your pitch to potential investors:

1.) Skip the small talk.

Cut to the chase. Don’t try to appeal to your investors using small talk. Investors want to know more about how you plan to take your business to the next level. Avoid overloading them with information. Instead of overfilling your slides with charts and graphics, focus on coming up with a good business narrative. 

Being straightforward also helps create a positive first impression. You’re demonstrating professionalism by understanding the value of time.

2.) Know your investor.

Before you meet up with your investor, do some background research first. Take time to learn about your investor’s level of commitment and expected returns. Knowing who your investor is will make it easier for you to communicate your needs upfront. It’ll also help you determine whether your potential investor is the right fit for your business.

3.) Be transparent with your financial needs.

When presenting your pitch, be authentic and clearly state the amount you need to fund your business or project. Be transparent about your financial statements and expected returns. Don’t even attempt to bluff your way into getting the funds. Investors are keen on observing whether you’re telling the truth or not.

4.) Practice some effective relaxation techniques.

Anxiety can ruin your presentation. No matter how confident you are with your pitch, your nervousness could ruin your chance at presenting a perfect business proposal. It’ll help a lot if you practice some relaxation techniques. If you’re relaxed, you can focus on the presentation instead of worrying about what could go wrong.

5.) End on a good note.

When presenting to investors, never forget to end your presentation on a good note. The last slide of your pitch deck should consist of something that will leave a positive and lasting impression. Remember that the purpose of your pitch is to get your investor engaged and interested. Concluding your presentation with a bang helps cultivate your investor’s eagerness to get on board. 

Free Template: Investment Proposal

Getting your next investment for your business can be challenging. Simplify the process by using a template that’s proven and tested.

Download the  Investment Proposal template  below for FREE:

investment proposal

What Is a Business Pitch Presentation?

An investor presentation, also known as pitch deck, is a type of presentation you present to an investor or group of investors. The primary objective of a pitch deck is to give your investors an overview of your business in such a way that they’ll be able to grasp its growth potential. Your business presentation could be in the form of an email or letter, but one of the most effective ways to do it is via a 10-20 slide presentation .

How to Create a Good Pitch for an Investor?

An effective pitch should have the essential elements that can get investors to understand the potential worth of your business or company. Before you schedule that meeting with your potential investor, you better iron out the details that you need to include in your pitch deck first.

In designing a successful pitch, you need to provide concise answers to the following questions:

• What is your business all about?
• Who is your target market?
• What makes your business stand out from your competitors?
• What is your marketing and sales strategy?
• How much money is needed to fund your project?

Keep in mind that your business pitch plays a crucial role in getting investors on board. If you succeed in attracting the interest of your potential investors, then you are certainly off to a good start.

Click here to learn more  about the essential elements of a good pitch.

What Is the Best Software for Presenting a Business Pitch?

Apart from knowing how to present to investors, you’ll need a reliable presentation tool to help deliver your pitch without a hitch. While MS PowerPoint has always been the go-to tool for creating slides, there are plenty of good alternatives like Prezi, Visme, and Canva.

Having a secure document-sharing tool like Fill will also help you gain a strategic advantage. It enables you to share important files with investors without risking your security and privacy. You can also keep track of your documents in real-time using audit logs and analytics. 

With Fill , you can:

• Streamline your document signature workflow
• Enable multi-party signing, making it possible for multiple people to sign your documents simultaneously regardless of location
• Simplify your deal management by providing an intuitive digital signing experience

Key Takeaway

No matter how carefully crafted your pitch deck is, it won’t be as effective unless you succeed in delivering its objective. Thus, it is crucial to prepare ahead. If you manage to present your pitch successfully, then you’re already one step closer to reaching your funding goal.

Are you in need of a reliable tool for document signing and deal agreements? Fill offers an innovative approach that aims to simplify the way you sign, fill and share documents. It also uses state-of-the-art security to protect your data while you sign documents on the go.

Start using Fill today.

Manage contracts, forms and eSignatures effortlessly.

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How To Pitch Investors in Investor Meetings – An Expert Guide

March 14, 2023

Will you soon be meeting investors?  Are you feeling a little nervous?  Don’t worry – it’s perfectly normal. Here, we’ll guide you through how to pitch to investors, from making a great first impression to delivering a winning pitch presentation.

When you pitch investors, you want to be successful.  But how do you pitch to investors convincingly?  What do investors look for in a pitch?   

Pitching to investors is a hard-won skill.  The greatest challenge most people face is that they only present to investors a few times in their career.  Whereas we’ve been helping firms improve their investor pitches for over 15 years. We help private companies, private equity-owned businesses, fund managers and public companies improve their investor presentations.   We know how to pitch to investors. We’ve seen what works.  And we can help you too

First.  An investor pitch is more than the pitch deck. 

When we say ‘ investor pitch ’ we mean your investor story, your pitch deck and how the team comes across in investor pitch meetings – the whole package.  Every element needs to be right to win the investment you want.  

Whether you are pitching your business to a trade buyer or you are raising money from an external investor, you need to be compelling when you pitch to investors. We’ve been creating investor pitch decks and coaching teams to pitch investors for over 15 years. These are some of our top tips:

How to pitch investors in investor meeting – 10 top tips

Now, let’s review each of these pitch presentation tips in more detail:

1.      Understand your investor

Before you start crafting your pitch, it’s crucial you understand who you’ll be presenting to. Research the investment firm: what industries do they typically invest in? What deals have they done recently? What have they said publicly? Who are the key decision-makers? What’s their investment process like? Knowing this will help you tailor your pitch to their specific interests.

To be really persuasive, you need to know why an investor should be interested . You may think an investor wants to make money. But making money is often not enough. After all, there are many ways to make money.

Instead, you want to uncover what else your investor is looking for. For example, What is their risk appetite? How important are ESG concerns to them? Does this investment confer some sort of status by association with other investors?

Because every investor is different, there is no single, cookie-cutter approach to this. So you need to run your investor pitch meetings in a way that you can discover what your investor is really looking for. And when you understand your investor’s motivation, you’ll find it much easier to persuade them because you will be talking to their concerns.

However, the most effective pitches go one step further. These pitches are based on extensive research about the people on the other side of the table:

• What are their investment goals?
• What are their backgrounds?
• Why might they want to buy into your investment?

If your entire investor pitch is oriented around these questions, you’ll have a much greater chance of success.

How do you achieve this?  One powerful techniques is to ask questions.  For example:

• ‘Have you seen this before?’
• ‘Does that make sense?’
• ‘What are your thoughts on what we’ve shown you so far?’

2.      Put your investor at the centre of attention

When you pitch for investment, what role do you take? And what role does your investor take?  Get this right in your investment pitch, and you have a much better chance of success.

Shakespeare wrote that “all the world’s a stage”, and on that stage, you want your investor, not you, to take the starring role.  Perhaps it’s not surprising that one of the most common complaints we hear from investors is that those pitching haven’t tailored what they’re saying to the people in the room. Typically, investors don’t want to be ‘taken through’ a generic presentation .  Your pitch should be tailored.  For example, you can ask investors what they’d like to focus on, then build your presentation around that.

Of course, adapting your pitch on the fly is not as easy as performing a pre-prepared monologue. It requires that you know your material inside-out. It demands additional preparation and rehearsal. You’ll need a coach to help you get there.

3.      Describe what’s special about your investment opportunity

You need to explain what’s different and specific about your investment opportunity. What do I mean by this?

For example: Imagine you have invented an improved mouse trap. What is it about your mouse trap business that makes it special?

• Is it cheaper?
• Does it capture mice unharmed?
• Does it catch more mice?
• Is it more reliable?
• Are you selling a service rather than a product?

All of these may be true, but to explain your idea – and get the investors you want – you need to be clear about the one big idea that makes your pitch special.

For example, recently we helped a large SaaS business that provides services to banks. They save banks money, save time, and are highly scalable. All of these are relevant problems for banks. But with our client, we worked out that their service gave a bank a competitive advantage. This was because the service also created a much, much better customer experience. And this was the “killer” difference, not those other benefits.

To transform your investor pitch , make sure you have uncovered what makes your idea really special. If you have not yet worked out the one brilliant idea underpinning your pitch, speak to our team and ask about our Cracker Programme that will uncover it for you.

Contact us now for a free consultation

4.      Make an impression that sticks

An essential strategy you want to deploy when pitching investors is to be more memorable. If you have a memorable investor pitch  you increase your chances of progressing beyond “just a first meeting”.

It’s a real challenge to make a memorable investor pitch. Investors see countless pitches and have more investment opportunities than ever. So, if you are pitching to investors, it’s much harder to stand out.

Here’s how to make a strong first impression:

• Build Rapport: When you Introduce yourself, aim for a connection. Find common ground with your investor to build rapport. Perhaps you know people in common, perhaps you went to the same school, perhaps you used to work in the same city.  Any connection can help.
• Show Passion: Your enthusiasm for your business is contagious. Let your passion for your idea, team, and industry shine through.
• Be Yourself: Authenticity is key. Investors are looking to back people they believe in, so it’s important they see you as genuine and sincere in your presentation.

Much of the work we do at BBA is to help funds and businesses craft their investment propositions so that they are memorable and therefore more investable.  For example, one technique is DON’T BE BORING. If your pitch sounds just like everyone else’s, you’ll be forgotten quickly. Instead, intrigue us and appeal to our natural curiosity. Is there something counter-intuitive about your approach? Get investors thinking (but not too hard) and they are more likely to remember you.

5.      Craft your pitch carefully

Your pitch should be clear, concise, and engaging. Here are some key elements of your investor pitch to work on:

• Elevator Pitch: Perfect your elevator pitch, a 10-30 second summary of your business that can grab an investor’s attention. Explain the problem you solve, your solution, and your target market. Make this compelling.
• Presentation Structure: Structure your presentation logically, taking your audience on a journey. Cover essential points like the problem you solve, your value proposition, your target market, your competitive advantage, your financial projections, and your funding request.  See below for more details on possible presentation structures.
• Slides: Use visuals strategically. Limit your slides to 10-12 with clear and concise information.  Don’t drown them in PowerPoint.

6.      Use stories when pitching to investors

Facts get forgotten; stories get repeated. Turn your pitch into a story. Tell stories within your pitch. Get away from the dull “deep” dive into detail on every page and instead help us understand the big picture. Then you can fill in the details where we need them.

When you use stories in your investor pitch, you can bring to life complex, hard-to-grasp ideas.  Stories help investors understand and stories make it easier for others to talk about you.  Uncover your stories and learn how to use stories in your investor pitch.

Weave a compelling story around your business. People connect with stories, so use storytelling to make your pitch memorable and impactful. How do you do that? While you are meeting, share stories about your business ; discuss what works and what’s still to do; help them better understand you and your plans. Like this, you build trust and understanding during your pitch meeting.

7.      Simplify your pitch even more

If your pitch presentation to investors is easy to explain, it’s also easy to remember. But creating a simple investor pitch is hard. One challenge when raising money is to strip back your investment pitch to its bare essentials. If you are too complex you become forgettable .

For example, you should make the abstract concrete.  You can do this with metaphor, analogies and clear examples. When Steve Jobs launched the iPod he talked about “1,000 songs in your pocket”. That was concrete. No MB, no Hz, no bit rates, no hard drives. You can do the same – even with the most obscure complicated hedge fund strategy.

8.      Deliver your pitch with passion

When you pitch investors, forget about “giving a PowerPoint presentation”. If you want to start a two, three or five year plus investor relationship, you are not going to achieve that by hiding behind PowerPoint .

In the logical investment world, it’s easy to forget the critical role that emotions play when making decisions. If their gut says yes, then your investor may well take a second look, even if uncertainties remain. How do you harness emotions in your investor pitch?  You can use stories, appeals to greater things and make it personal. For example: do you offer investment returns, or do you offer security in retirement.

So, plan your pitch meeting as a meeting of minds . Aim to make your investor feel really comfortable with you – make them so comfortable that they want to meet you again, and again, and again!

Here are some tips for delivering a successful pitch:

• Keep it Short and Sweet: Respect the investor’s time. Aim for a max 20-minute presentation followed by Q&A.  But be prepared for 3 minutes.
• Focus on Benefits: Don’t just present facts and figures. Explain how your business will benefit investors.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use visuals and data to support your claims.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate potential questions and prepare clear and concise answers.

9.      Demonstrate credibility when you pitch

If your business plan has you with ‘just’ a 5% share of a $50bn market in 5 years, you’ll lack credibility. Help us believe. Show (don’t tell) what you have done, what you are doing and what you will do so that we can all have faith in you. This rule also applies to your pitch book: everything you say must be credible and push your story forward. 

There’s a real art in making future projections sound credible and from showing your investor not only that you can write a great business plan, but that you know how to execute that plan and build a large compelling business. 

Credibility is key in all aspects of your pitch.  Whether it’s consistency in what you say; making sure that everyone in the team echoes the same story  or that you always deliver on your promises, and never over-promise – this is how you build trust with potential investors.

10.   Avoid the mistakes others make when pitching investors

Good news: because people have been pitching to investors for hundreds of years, the biggest investor pitch mistakes are well known .  These are some of the biggest mistakes we regularly see in investor pitches.

•     Your story is too complicated
•     You undersell yourself
•     You are not transparent about challenges
•     Your future journey is unclear
•     You do not come across as professional enough
•     You are not speaking investor language
•     You are selling too hard
•     Something feels wrong

The most practical way to get better at pitching investors is to practise.  That means for every investor meeting, every question, every bit of presentation, you try it and improve it.   I don’t mean ‘rehearse’ – that is what actors do when they already have a great script.  I mean practise like a tennis player, so you continually build your skills to improve what you say and how you say it.  You also polish how you look as a team and improve the impact you make with your investor. The best management teams always practise. Investor pitch rehearsals are the perfect way to make sure your team does not make mistakes and that they have fine-tuned their pitching skills so that your investor comes away happy and excited.

11.    Follow up with your investor

After your pitch, follow up with the investors. Thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in their investment. You can also use this opportunity to seek feedback on your presentation and to give them additional information they asked for.  And keep them updated about progress in your business.  If you closed a deal 2 months early, tell them.  It will add to your credibility. 

Remember, pitching to investors is a skill that takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get funded on your first try. Learn from your experience and refine your pitch for future meetings.

Contact us to create a compelling investor pitch

How to Pitch Investors

Learn what it takes to create a stand out investor pitch when you pitch to investors.

What next for your investor pitch?

If you want help to prepare your company to speak to investors, call us today.  We’d be happy to discuss how we might best support you.

If your investor pitch needs improving, polishing or completely transforming, give us a call. We’ll be delighted to share with you some ideas that have worked for other firms, from global market leaders to regional start-ups.

We spend every day helping companies perfect their investor presentations. We make it easier for them to convince investors, to win investment and to build loyal shareholders. Speak to our client services director Louise Angus today.

Contact us today to transform your investor pitch

Transform your presentation skills with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too .

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.” Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice of leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

How to pitch investors – frequently asked questions, 1. what should be included in an investor pitch deck.

While every pitch is different, this is typically what an investor might expect to see. Here’s a comprehensive list of what should be included in an investor pitch deck:

• Cover Slide: Company name/logo and tagline, if applicable.
• Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the problem your product or service solves.Provide statistics or anecdotes to illustrate the severity or prevalence of the problem.
• Solution: Explain how your product or service solves the identified problem. Highlight key features and functionalities. Showcase any unique selling points or competitive advantages.
• Market Opportunity: Define the target market(s) and its size. Provide data and analysis to support market potential. Highlight any trends or market shifts that make your solution timely and relevant.
• Business Model: Describe how your company plans to generate revenue. Outline pricing strategies, sales channels, and distribution methods.
• Traction: Showcase evidence of progress and momentum, such as user growth, revenue, partnerships, or customer testimonials. Highlight key milestones achieved to date.
• Team: Introduce key members of the team, emphasizing relevant expertise and experience. Highlight any notable achievements or qualifications.
• Competition: Identify direct and indirect competitors. Differentiate your offering from competitors and explain why your solution is superior. Provide a competitive landscape analysis.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Outline your plan to acquire and retain customers. Describe marketing channels, sales tactics, and customer acquisition strategies.
• Financial Projections: Present financial forecasts, including revenue projections, expenses, and profitability estimates. Provide key metrics and assumptions underlying the projections.
• Use of Funds: Clearly articulate how you intend to use the investment funds. Break down the allocation of funds for key activities such as product development, marketing, hiring, and expansion.
• Investment Ask: Specify the amount of funding you are seeking. Outline the desired investment terms, such as equity stake, valuation, and investor rights.
• Appendix: Include additional supporting materials, such as product demos, customer case studies, press mentions, or detailed financials.

While this is a template, you must tailor your pitch deck to your specific audience and context. Customise the content and messaging to resonate with the interests and priorities of potential investors. Additionally, aim for clarity, simplicity, and visual appeal to ensure your pitch deck effectively communicates your startup’s value proposition and investment opportunity.

2. How long should an investor pitch be?

The short answer: as short as possible. The longer answer: There is no one answer. You need to have a range of pitches prepared. For example,

• a 30-second or 1-minute version of your pitch will be used over an over again.
• You should have a 3-4 minute version that can flesh out the 30-second version in a bit more detail.
• A 10-minute version of your investor pitch will be powerful and allow you to cover almost everything essential.
• Then you should be able to expand each element of your pitch so that you can make it last 10,20,30 or 120 minutes – whatever your investor wants. The real skill here is knowing how to be flexible and judging what your investor is looking for. That’s where we can help. We’ve been coaching teams to pitch successfully for 15 years and we can help you too.

3. How do I tailor my pitch to different types of investors?

That’s a tough question. We can help you learn how to tailor your pitch in our pitch coaching. Read more here: Investor pitch coaching

4. What are common mistakes to avoid in a pitch?

Have a look at our blog article on the top Investor pitch mistakes

5. How do I handle tough questions or objections from investors?

Have a look at our blog article: How to answer tough investor questions

6. What role does storytelling play in a pitch?

Storytelling is very important in a pitch. That’s why we’ve written an article about it: How to use storytelling in presentations

7. How can I demonstrate market validation or traction in my pitch to investors?

This is a key question. The better you show traction (ie you’ve already achieved something meaningful) the better your valuation. You can use KPIs, sales you’ve made, deals you’ve done, people you’ve hired etc etc. Every business is different, so you need to work out what’s most meaningful in your firm. When we write pitches for people we help them get this essential part of their pitch right.

8. Should I include a demo or prototype in my pitch?

If relevant, yes. If it will help get people excited.

9. What should I do after the pitch?

Keep in touch!!!

10. Avoid the mistakes others make when pitching investors

Top mistakes when you pitch investors, 1. is your story too complicated when you are pitching investors.

If your business sounds complicated, it will also sound difficult, risky and unattractive. As the CEO of a business, you probably suffer from the curse of knowledge. You know so much about your firm that it’s often hard to put yourself in an investor’s shoes.

What an investor wants is a clear, simple story to share with other people.  Your job is to simplify that story so that a potential buyer has a clear picture of the investment you are offering.  

It is very tempting to include more information in your management presentation or your investor pitch, but the more you include the more diluted the important information becomes.  A weak investor pitch includes extensive information but fails to shape that information into a compelling story.

Simplifying is often the hardest part of creating a powerful investor presentation.  So the best firms use external advisors to simplify their investment story .

2. How to pitch investors – don’t undersell yourself

    You are successful; there is a reason for that.

    You have loyal customers; there is a reason for that.

    You attract and maintain great talent; there is a reason for that too.

But do you talk about these things in an easy-to-understand way?

Too many firms are happy to lay out data and information, then fail to tell the compelling story behind the data.  But investors don’t buy data.  They buy the story, the potential, the thing that makes you different and successful.

You want to get your buyer to not just hear your impressive story but also to feel it and believe in it.  When they believe in you, they are more likely to invest in you.

3. How to pitch to investors – be transparent about the challenges

Every business has difficulties – big and small.

It’s always tempting to play down your problems. But by downplaying them, it may feel to a buyer that you don’t fully understand your business. Worst of all, if you don’t mention challenges and these crop up later in the sale process, it may look like you are being dishonest.

So, be open about what problems your company is facing, and talk about how you’re addressing them.  If it’s clear that you are good at thinking about the future and planning for uncertainty, you add credibility.

By being open, you can turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Contact us to improve your pitch to investors

4. Pitching investors – Is your future journey clear enough?

It’s easy to talk about what you have done.  But the value of your firm to a potential investor or buyer lies not in the past but in the future.  It helps when you can share a clear vision for what comes next.

Are you facing uncertainties? You can describe this as giving you options.  Are you addressing change in your market? You can show how you can adapt to those changes.  Have things gone wrong? You can show how resilient you are.

What is important when you pitch investors is that you demonstrate that you know how to continue growing and improving your business.

Your future story should make up most of your investor story.  The clearer that future feels to an investor, the more value they will place on you today.

5. Do you look and feel professional enough when pitching investors?

If you have a high-quality business and an impressive team, you want to be sure your pitch is equally reassuring.

This means more than hiring a good graphic designer.  A professional investor pitch involves all elements of your interaction with potential buyers.  You want your buyer to see a team and a business that give them a warm, joyous feeling from every contact.

If you achieve this, you can feel more confident about building a long-term positive relationship with that buyer.

6. Do you speak the language of investors when you present to investors?

Many companies talk regularly to customers, but rarely pitch to investors.  Customers and investors are different animals and need to be treated in different ways.

And depending on the type of investor or buyer you have, you’ll treat them differently too.

When we prepare management teams to pitch investors, we role play extensively so that the team feels comfortable flexing their style to match different types of investor.   And we also help teams avoid the temptation to ‘give a presentation’.  A good investment meeting is a 2-way conversation, with as many questions as answers.

Once you practise this, you’ll look impressive and feel so much more confident.

Help me improve my investor pitch

7. Are you pitching or explaining in your investor presentation?

Few of us like being sold to; but we all like learning something.

Too many investor pitches sound like a hard sell, or a 1-way presentation.  The best pitches we work on become conversations between a management team who know their stuff and an investor who knows how to invest. Those two groups then work together to find the perfect fit.

What this means in practice is that the pitchers become teachers, helping the investor understand their business.  They also demonstrate their curiosity, wanting to know what the investor thinks and how they could work together.

This fresh approach to pitching creates a positive feeling and makes it much easier for the investor to know what it will be like working with this management team.

8. Does something not feel right?

This is probably the main reason that investors don’t invest. ‘It does not feel right.’  It isn’t a perfect excuse – but it sums up years of experience in investing.

What can you do to create a better feeling when pitching to investors?

The most practical way to generate a positive feeling is to practise .  That means for every investor meeting, every question, every bit of presentation, you try it and improve it.   I don’t mean ‘rehearse’ – that is what actors do when they already have a great script.  I mean practise like a tennis player, so you continually build your skills to improve what you say and how you say it.  You also polish how you look as a team and improve the impact you make with your investor.

The best management teams always practise.

If you need help, we’ve been writing successful investor pitch decks for over 15 years

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6 Powerful Tips for Crafting Outstanding Investor PowerPoint Presentations

In today's competitive business landscape, effectively communicating your company's potential to investors is crucial for securing funding and driving growth. Investor PowerPoint presentations play a significant role in conveying your vision, business model, financials, and growth prospects in a visually appealing and engaging manner. A well-prepared and compelling presentation can capture investors' attention and convince them to invest in your business.

This guide provides you with powerful tips and best practices for crafting outstanding investor PowerPoint presentations. By following these guidelines, you will be better equipped to create a presentation that clearly communicates your business's potential, showcases your achievements, and highlights the key information investors are looking for. This will ultimately increase your chances of securing investment and driving your business toward success.

Key Information Investors Look For

When creating investor PowerPoint presentations , it's essential to understand what information investors are typically looking for to make well-informed decisions. By focusing on these key aspects, you can ensure that your presentation effectively addresses investors' concerns and interests.

• Business Model and Market Opportunities: Investors need a clear understanding of your business model and market opportunities. This includes information about market saturation, market shares, and the overall size and growth potential of the industry. Additionally, they will want to know about your competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and how you plan to differentiate your product or service. Any regulatory requirements or outstanding major lawsuits that could impact your business should also be addressed.
• Management Team and Key Employees: Investors want to meet the management team and recognize key employees. Including short CVs or bios in your PowerPoint presentations can help investors understand the team's capabilities, track record, and how they plan to lead the company to success.
• Financials and Key Metrics: Your investor PowerPoint presentations should include key financial data such as revenue, profit margins, working capital, debt position, and cash flow. Industry-specific key metrics, such as customer acquisition cost, lifetime value of a customer, and churn rate, should also be presented. These metrics help investors assess your company's financial performance and potential.
• Growth Prospects and Potential Returns: Investors want to see that your company has strong growth prospects and the potential to generate significant returns. Be sure to outline your growth plans and how you intend to achieve them in your investor PowerPoint presentations.

By incorporating these key aspects into your investor PowerPoint presentations, you can effectively address the information investors are most interested in and increase your chances of securing the funding you need.

Crafting a Compelling Story

A successful investor PowerPoint presentation tells a captivating story that highlights your business model, market opportunities, and investment benefits. By weaving together a compelling narrative, you can better engage your audience and provide a memorable context for the information you present. Here's how to craft a compelling story for your investor PowerPoint presentations:

• Start with a Strong Opening: Begin your presentation by clearly stating the problem your business is solving or the opportunity it is addressing. This sets the stage for your story and immediately captures your audience's attention.
• Showcase Your Business's Journey: Provide a brief overview of your company's history, including major milestones and achievements. This helps build credibility and demonstrates your team's ability to execute their vision.
• Highlight Your Unique Value Proposition: Clearly articulate what sets your product or service apart from the competition. Focus on the unique aspects of your business that give you a competitive advantage and support your success.
• Share Customer Success Stories: Including testimonials or case studies from satisfied customers can humanize your business and make your story more relatable. This also provides evidence of the value your product or service delivers to its users.
• Present Your Future Vision: Outline your company's goals and objectives for the future, and explain how you plan to achieve them. This demonstrates your ambition and commitment to growth, creating excitement and anticipation among investors.
• End with a Clear Call-to-Action: Conclude your investor PowerPoint presentation by summarizing the key points of your story and clearly stating what you want from investors. Be specific about the amount of funding you need and how it will be used to help your business achieve its goals.

By crafting a compelling story in your investor PowerPoint presentations, you can create an emotional connection with your audience and leave a lasting impression that can significantly impact their decision to invest in your business.

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Keeping It Focused and Simple

Investor PowerPoint presentations should be concise and easy to understand, allowing investors to quickly grasp the essential information about your business. By keeping your presentation focused and simple, you can ensure that your audience remains engaged and retains the key points you want to convey. Here are some tips for maintaining focus and simplicity in your investor PowerPoint presentations:

• Prioritize Key Points: Identify the most crucial aspects of your business that investors need to understand, and prioritize those points in your presentation. By concentrating on the most relevant information, you can avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive detail.
• Use clear and concise language: Present your ideas using straightforward, concise language. Avoid jargon and complex terms that confuse your audience. Remember, not all investors will have an in-depth knowledge of your industry, so it's essential to make your presentation accessible to everyone.
• Limit the Number of Slides: Aim for a concise presentation with a limited number of slides. A general rule of thumb is to have no more than 10-15 slides for a typical investor PowerPoint presentation. This helps you maintain a focused narrative and ensures you don't lose your audience's attention.
• Keep Visuals Uncluttered: Use clean, minimalistic visuals that clearly illustrate your points without distracting from the message. Avoid cluttered slides with too much text or too many images. Instead, opt for simple charts, graphs, and images that effectively convey your message.
• Highlight One Idea per Slide: To keep your presentation focused, present only one main idea per slide. This approach ensures that each concept is given adequate attention and makes it easier for your audience to follow along and digest the information.
• Rehearse and Refine: Practice delivering your investor PowerPoint presentation and refine it based on feedback from peers or advisors. This process helps you identify areas where you can simplify or clarify your message, ensuring that the final version is as focused and easy to understand as possible.

By keeping your investor PowerPoint presentations focused and simple, you can effectively communicate your business's key information and make a strong impression on your audience, increasing your chances of securing investment.

Utilizing Visuals Effectively

Visuals play a crucial role in making investor PowerPoint presentations more engaging and impactful. When used effectively, visuals can illustrate complex ideas, support your narrative, and emphasize key points. Here are some tips for utilizing visuals effectively in your investor PowerPoint presentations:

• Choose the Right Visuals: Select visuals that accurately represent the information you want to convey. Use charts and graphs for presenting data , diagrams for illustrating processes or relationships, and images or icons for emphasizing key concepts.
• Maintain consistency: Use a consistent visual style throughout your presentation to create a cohesive look and feel. This includes using similar colors, fonts, and graphical elements that align with your company's branding.
• Simplify Data Visualization: When presenting data, opt for clear and straightforward charts or graphs that are easy to read and understand. Avoid overly complicated visuals that confuse your audience or obscure the main message.
• Balance Text and Visuals: Strive for a balance between text and visuals on each slide. Too much text can be overwhelming and difficult to read, while too many visuals can be distracting. Aim to create a harmonious blend of both elements that effectively convey your message.
• Use High-Quality Images: Ensure that all images, icons, and graphics used in your investor PowerPoint presentations are of high quality and resolution. Blurry or pixelated visuals can appear unprofessional and detract from your message.
• Opt for Readable Fonts and Colors: Choose fonts and colors that are easy to read and provide sufficient contrast between text and background. Avoid using excessively small font sizes or color combinations that strain the eyes.
• Animate with a Purpose: If you use animations or transitions, use them sparingly and for a clear purpose. Excessive or overly flashy animations can distract and detract from your presentation's overall message.

By utilizing visuals effectively in your investor PowerPoint presentations, you can create a more engaging and memorable experience for your audience, ultimately increasing your chances of securing investment and driving your business forward.

Highlighting Key Metrics and Data

Presenting key metrics and data in your investor PowerPoint presentations helps demonstrate your company's financial performance , growth potential, and overall viability. By effectively showcasing this information, you can provide investors with a clear understanding of your business's strengths and the potential return on their investment. Here are some tips for highlighting key metrics and data in your investor PowerPoint presentations:

• Identify the Most Important Metrics: Determine the most relevant and impactful metrics for your business and industry. These may include financial figures such as revenue growth, profit margins, and cash flow. In addition, they may include industry-specific metrics like customer acquisition cost, lifetime value of a customer, and churn rate.
• Use appropriate data visualization: Present your metrics and data using clear, easy-to-understand charts and graphs. Choose the most suitable visualization method for each data set. This includes line charts for displaying trends over time, bar charts for comparing values across categories, or pie charts for showing proportions.
• Emphasize Key Data Points: Draw attention to the most relevant data points or metrics by using bold colors, larger font sizes, or other visual elements. This helps ensure that investors can quickly identify and understand crucial information in your presentation.
• Provide Context for Your Metrics: When presenting metrics and data, provide context to help investors understand their significance. This may include comparing your figures to industry benchmarks, discussing historical trends, or explaining the impact of specific events on your numbers.
• Include Projections and Forecasts: Investors are interested in your company's future growth potential, so include projections and forecasts in your investor PowerPoint presentations. Clearly outline your assumptions and methodologies, and demonstrate how your plans align with these projections.
• Be transparent and honest: Present your data and metrics accurately and transparently. Be prepared to explain any discrepancies or anomalies, and avoid manipulating figures to create misleading impressions. Transparency and honesty help build trust with investors and support your presentation's credibility.

By effectively highlighting key metrics and data in your investor PowerPoint presentations, you can give investors the information they need to evaluate your business' potential. Enabling them to make informed investment decisions, in turn, increase your chances of securing the funding necessary to grow and succeed.

Polishing and Practicing Your Presentation

A polished and well-rehearsed investor PowerPoint presentation demonstrates professionalism but also helps you deliver your message confidently and effectively. Taking the time to refine and practice your presentation can significantly impact investors' impressions. Here are some tips for polishing and practicing your investor PowerPoint presentation:

• Review and Edit Your Content: Carefully read through your presentation, checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ensure that your content is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Consider asking a colleague or advisor to review your presentation and provide feedback.
• Ensure Consistent Design and Branding: Check that your presentation's design elements, such as colors, fonts, and graphics, are consistent throughout and align with your company's branding. Consistency creates a cohesive and professional look, reinforcing your company's identity.
• Optimize Slide Transitions and Animations: Make sure that any slide transitions or animations you include are smooth and serve a purpose, such as emphasizing a point or guiding the audience's attention. Avoid excessive or overly flashy transitions that can distract or detract from your message.
• Test on Different Devices: To ensure that your investor PowerPoint presentation displays correctly on various screens and devices, test it on different monitors, projectors, or laptops. This helps identify and resolve any formatting or compatibility issues before presenting to investors.
• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation multiple times, focusing on your pacing, tone, and body language. Practicing helps you become more comfortable with the material and enables you to speak confidently and clearly.
• Anticipate Questions and Prepare Answers: Think about potential questions investors might ask and prepare thoughtful, data-backed responses. This demonstrates your expertise and preparedness, building trust and credibility with your audience.
• Adjust Based on Audience Feedback: After practicing your presentation, consider any feedback or reactions from your test audience. Be open to adjustments to improve your presentation's clarity, engagement, and effectiveness.

By polishing and practicing your investor PowerPoint presentation, you can ensure a professional, engaging, and impactful presentation that effectively communicates your business's potential and increases your chances of securing investment.

Creating an effective investor PowerPoint presentation is crucial for capturing potential investors' attention and securing the funding needed to grow your business. By focusing on the key elements discussed in this guide, you can craft a compelling and engaging presentation that showcases your company's potential:

• Craft a compelling story that highlights your business model, market opportunities, and investment benefits.
• Keep your presentation focused and simple, prioritizing key points and using clear, concise language.
• Utilize visuals effectively to enhance your message and engage your audience.
• Highlight key metrics and data that demonstrate your company's financial performance and growth potential.
• Polish and practice your presentation to ensure professional and confident delivery.

By following these tips and putting in the necessary effort to create a well-structured, engaging, and data-driven investor PowerPoint presentation, you can significantly increase your chances of securing the investment needed to propel your business forward.

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Related Resources

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What to Include in Your Presentations to Win Over Investors

Last Updated:  

February 21, 2024

Convincing investors to back your business venture is no easy feat. They want to ensure that they are investing their money in a business that is likely to be successful and by extension, profitable. The best way to get investors’ attention is to sit them down and present your ideas to them directly. However, to do this well, you must show them an investment-winning presentation. If you do not feel that you have the necessary skills to create a compelling presentation, consider hiring a presentation design agency to create one.

Top Tips on What to Include in Investor Presentations:

• Investor Presentation Overview: An investor presentation provides a concise overview of your business vision, products, services, market opportunity, financial information, and funding requirements.
• Capture Attention Immediately: Engage investors from the start by explaining an industry problem and how your venture addresses it. Use compelling storytelling to convey your passion and vision.
• Introduce Your Team: Highlight the individuals running the company. Showcase their relevant skills and experience, ensuring investors have confidence in the team behind the venture.
• Prioritise Good Design: Ensure the presentation slides are visually appealing and free from distractions. Consider outsourcing to professional presentation designers if needed.
• Highlight Your USP: Clearly convey your venture's unique selling point (USP) and differentiate your business from competitors. Use real-life terms to explain the quantifiable value of your venture.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Dedicate a slide to your marketing and sales approach. Answer key questions like the chosen marketing strategy, its appropriateness, target audience awareness, and the sales cycle.
• High-Level Financial Overview: Present high-level financial information using pie charts or graphs for clarity. Detailed financial records can be shared post-presentation upon investor interest.
• Practice and Preparation: Before presenting to investors, practice the presentation to refine it and prepare for potential questions.

In essence, a well-structured and engaging investor presentation can significantly increase the chances of securing investment. It's crucial to be clear, concise, and compelling, showcasing the value and potential of the venture.

What is an Investor Presentation?

An investor presentation allows you to talk to investors about your venture. During the presentation, you will give a clear but concise overview of your business vision, the products and services you plan to provide, market opportunity, a summary of high-level financial information and funding requirements.

How to Create an Investment-winning Presentation

You do not have much time to win over investors. As a result, your presentation should be short but compelling. There are a few steps you can take to create an investment-winning presentation:

Capture attention immediately

Investors will sit through many investor presentations. You must quickly capture their attention to ensure they do not lose interest within the first few minutes of your presentation. Compelling storytelling will keep investors hooked. Explain to them how you came up with the idea for your venture and show them why you are passionate about your vision. For example, some of the best investor presentations start by explaining an industry problem, and the remainder of the presentation describes how the speaker’s venture fixes said problem using compelling business PowerPoint templates .

Introduce yourself and your team

If investors are to put their hard-earned money into your venture, they will want to know more about the individuals running the company. Without a good team, there is no good investment. If your team is present at the presentation, they should briefly introduce themselves and explain their relevant skills and experience. If they are not present, make sure to include a slide that introduces them with a high-quality, professional photo and a short description of their relevant skills and experience.

Prioritise good design

Have you ever attended a presentation and found that you felt distracted by the atrocious design of the slides? Blurry images, inappropriate graphics, and huge blocks of text are incredibly off putting and will cause people to lose interest in a presentation. If you want to be creative and you're looking for engaging, simple-to-use PowerPoint business templates , check out SlidesCarnival, they have a wide selection of design themes available.If you or other members of your team do not have the necessary skills to create an investment-winning presentation, consider outsourcing the task to presentation designers.

Explain your venture’s unique selling point

One of the most important aspects of your investor presentation is explaining your unique selling point (USP). Your USP differentiates your business, allowing it to stand out from the crowd. You should make your venture’s USP crystal clear to the investors. A great way to convey your product or service’s value proposition is to explain how your venture will influence consumers in real-life terms. For example, does it allow consumers to save money? If so, how much money? Investors love to see the quantifiable value of a venture. If the figures are promising, they are more likely to invest in your idea.

Summarise your marketing and sales strategy

You should dedicate a slide to your marketing and sales strategy . Investors will want to know how you plan to reach your product or service’s target market. Investors can then use this information to determine how your venture differentiates from others in the same market. Explain the marketing strategies you plan to use and your financial expectations for these activities. It may be tempting to go into heavy detail on this slide, but try to keep it simple and concise. Your slide should answer the following questions:

• What marketing strategy will you use?
• Why is this strategy appropriate for your chosen business model?
• How will you make your target audience aware of your product or service?
• What will your sales cycle look like?

Give a high-level overview of financials

Interested investors want to assess the financial health of your venture before investing. However, you do not have much time to communicate this information during the presentation. You should include high-level financial information in your presentation. The best way to share financial information quickly and clearly is to present it in pie charts or graphs. Then, if investors like the look of your venture’s high-level financials, they will ask to see more detailed records after the presentation.

How to Win Over Investors

Winning over investors is a challenge. However, being equipped with a concise but informative presentation will increase the likelihood of success. Make sure to practice your presentation before you present it to investors to iron out any issues and prepare for the questions investors may ask.

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How To Pitch To Investors: 10 Tips To Get You Started

Table of contents.

Congratulations, you’ve got yourself connected with some investors and you’re ready to pitch your next million dollar idea to acquire some funding.

This can be a nerve wrecking scenario. Everything you’ve been working so hard to achieve rests on this moment to acquire financial backing or see your work stand idle. In moments like these, you can’t leave anything to chance.

That’s why we’ve put together this article that goes over not only how to pitch to investors, but how to pitch successfully.

How do we know you’ll be successful?

With years of presentation feedback . If you follow this guide on putting together a great investment pitch presentation, you’ll cut years of trial and errors thanks to us compiling our years of experience into this article. We’ll save you the trouble of experimenting, allowing you to cut the time in half and going straight for a final product that works.

Preparing To Pitch Investors

Before you go and pitch your business idea to investors, there are a few things you should do beforehand such as developing a pitch deck, working on your elevator pitch and a bunch of other due diligence tasks you should complete in order to have a successful pitch.

You should also be doing your homework.

Crafting a proper pitch requires you to do your homework on who you will be presenting to. Will you be presenting to an investment company with multiple directors? Will you be pitching to individuals? Maybe you’re one of the lucky entrepreneurs who has secured themselves a spot on Shark Tank!

Whatever the case may be, in order to pitch like a pro , you need to be prepared and know who you’re pitching to.

How To Pitch Venture Capitalists

Venture capitalists, or VCs for short, are institutional investors in partnership. They will often be investing large sums of money; often a million dollars or more and they will likely want operational voting power.

VCs are typically more thorough in their research and will require you to be very detailed in your pitch meeting in order to secure funding. VCs are writing checks on behalf of a group of investors so they are in a precarious situation to make the right decision. You’ll find that you will begin to be asked tough questions. Don’t take this personally as VCs have a lot of trust to uphold with their investors.

They don’t invest on a hunch or emotions. They invest based on metrics.

That’s why in your pitch deck, consider including visual presentation aids such as graphs and tables. Don’t hold back on data. Try and share as many metrics as possible.

Investment Pitch Coming Up? See What We Can Do For You:

Angel investors are individuals with a high net worth . This means they often represent themselves and are usually business savvy.

They’ll often be quicker to act and may be persuaded more by emotions or hunches.

When pitching to angel investors, this is a time where you can have your presentation be driven more by a story rather than numbers.

Preparing The Right Amount Of Time

Preparing the right amount of time for your pitch is critical. Many investors take meetings in time slots. You’ll be given anywhere between 5 minutes to a full hour. Depending on what slot you’ve been given, you have to prepare a presentation which effectively optimizes the use of the time you’ve been given.

A 5 minute elevator pitch is going to be a lot different than an hour presentation covering your business strategy, market data and financial projections.

Do Your Research On Each Investor

Not every investor is interested in the same information. As great as it might be to have a generic presentation you can essentially use as a template for each pitch with some minor adjustments, this isn’t the case.

Do your research ahead of time and try to get the answers to the following questions:

Who have they invested in before?

What is their past business experience?

What makes them say yes or no?

What questions might they ask you?

What experience might they have that you want to leverage the most?

By answering these questions ahead of time, you can not only prepare for what they might ask and have an answer, you can be proactive and answer these potential questions during your pitch.  Researching internet statistics  about the company you’re pitching can be one of the best ways to show you are prepared and knowledgable.

What To Cover In Your Investor Pitch

Now that we understand the preliminary work that goes into a pitch, let’s begin to discuss what you need to cover while pitching to investors.

1 - Start With Your Hook

As great as it might be to have scheduled an hour for a pitch, the reality is, things change. If your presentation time slot was canceled and you had one last opportunity to get your idea across, what would you say in that window of 30 seconds?

Whatever comes to mind, that is the hook of your presentation.

Just like a novel, your pitch needs a hook to keep the audience engaged. Without a hook, you can lose your audience’s attention as quickly as a minute.

2 - Tell An Engaging Story

Did you get through the first 30 seconds and your potential investors are still engaged? great!

But we’re not done yet.

Now you need to tell an engaging story. Note, if you’re pitching to angel investors, you might want to put more weight on the story narrative of your pitch. If you’re pitching to VCs, don’t focus too much on the story. Be more analytical.

Most founders find this portion of the pitch easy as they’re so emotionally invested in their business that the words start flowing naturally. If you struggle with crafting a compelling story, think to yourself, “What is the problem I noticed in the marketplace and why did I decide to create a solution to the problem?”

If you’re able to answer these questions, you’ll have a great foundation for a story.

You’re pitching to investors to gain something. What is it?

Are you looking to gain funding, a partnership or completely sell your business model? Whatever it is, be clear.

You should typically mention what you’re looking for within the first 2 minutes of your pitch. This will help frame the value proposition in the minds of the investors.

4 - Be Bold & Big On Business Potential

Being modest and humble has a place and a time. An investment pitch is not one of them.

You want to be big and bold with your business’s potential market opportunity. If you expect to be the next Google, don’t be shy. Say it.

But, if you do make bold claims, remember the following. Don’t lie and provide proof.

If you lie, you’ll lose the trust of your investors and you can get into some serious trouble.

If you don’t provide proof, then your words mean nothing.

5 - Describe The Competitive Landscape

The perfect pitch is one where the investor buys in right away. The only way to get investors to buy in is by providing as much information as possible.

This is why you should describe the competitive landscape.

As great as it would be for an investor to know everything about every business and the marketplace, they can’t. Help reduce the cognitive load and additional research the investor needs to do by describing the competitive landscape.

6 - Discuss Your Business Model & How You're Different

One of the factors that scare off investors is entering a marketplace which is already over saturated.

There are many entrepreneurs looking to escape the rat race and with many ideas being formulated on a regular basis, you need to be able to identify and articulate how your idea is different from all the others in the total addressable market.

7 - Outline Your Marketing Strategy

Once you’ve secured funding, an investor is going to ask, “What’s the next move?”

This is where your marketing strategy comes into play. Although it may seem premature to ask, an investor wants to analyze any potential risks they might encounter or you.

In explaining your marketing strategy, you should identify your overall target audience or target customer.

8 - Describe Your Revenue Model

Money makes the world go around and it also is what investors care about. How are they going to make more money from the money they already have?

This is where you describe your revenue model.

How will your product or service start generating an income?

The digital age we live in has brought forth new revenue models never seen before. Uber, AirBnb, and DoorDash are all examples of new revenue models where the company itself doesn’t own any real estate, cars or restaurants. They are software companies first making their money by providing a platform to facilitate the use of other, traditional industries.

9 - Introduce Your Team

Teamwork makes the dream work.

If you have a stellar team behind you backing your project, you should include them in your pitch presentation. As you may be a small business or a start-up with a small team, include the following for each team member. Their past history, education and key points as to why they should be mentioned.

You might want to consider mentioning other investors as well, especially if you had a high-profile angel investor invest in the pre-seed series and now you’re looking for additional funding from a VC.

10 - Provide A Demo

If you can, provide a demonstration.

One of the best tips for pitching we have is to demonstrate what you have. Demonstrating helps answer questions investors might have by them simply engaging in whatever product or service you’re offering.

11 - Explain Your Exit Strategy

Every good business plan has an exit strategy because no one wants to be working forever.

This strategy explains how the investor will get their money back.

Whether it’s going public on the stock market or hoping to sell your business to a larger, industry dominant giant, include what you plan to do down the line and how long it will take to get there.

Conclusion On How To Pitch To Investors

Like we mentioned from the beginning, if you follow these steps, we are confident you’ll be able to present and deliver outstanding pitch presentations to find the ideal investor.

To make it easier, you might want to consider outsourcing your presentation to a presentation design company like Presentation Geeks. Presentation Geeks offer full-service design services for presentations . Whether you’re pitching to investors, clients or presenting at your company’s quarterly meeting, the team at Presentation Geeks can help.

Otherwise, we wish you the best of luck and happy pitching!

Author:  Content Team

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Beyond the pitch deck: Building a strong investor presentation

Your pitch deck is one of three key elements of your investor presentation:

• Your slides — simple, clean and to the point
• Notes that you refer to as you make your presentation — either cue cards or the notes feature in PowerPoint or Keynote
• A detailed handout to leave behind

Remember that the pitch deck supplements your presentation to your investors . Try not to stand in front of the audience and read out the slides to them — they can do that themselves.

Tips for building an effective investor presentation

• Good slides in your deck support you as the speaker/presenter and enhance your overall presentation. Use the pitch deck as a tool during your presentation, not as a crutch to rely on as you list the items (as bullet-by-bullet points) you are trying to get across. Simplicity in slides sets the stage for more effective presentations.
• Practise your pitch until you can deliver it in a natural and confident way. Some experts recommend running through it 25 times until it is familiar and comfortable.
• The CEO should be the lead presenter, with either the technical or financial person presenting the slides if necessary.
• Remember that you are speaking to make a connection with the audience (that is, your investors). You want to get them excited and persuade them that you have a great idea. You want to demonstrate that you are the team to execute the idea and convince them that you are someone they want to partner with and invest in.
• Test every statement you include in your pitch deck by asking “So what?” In other words, “What’s my point and why does it matter?” Remember to keep your message simple, short and clear.
• Think about the flow of a natural conversation with an investor and organize your slides to match what questions they might have at each stage of the presentation. For example, once you explain to them what your mission is, the next obvious questions could be, “How will you do it?”, “Why you over someone else?”, “Who’s the team”, and so on.
• Be professional, responsive and respectful of your audience. Investors, particularly venture capitalists (VCs), are notorious for trying to push buttons to see how the entrepreneur reacts. They are trying to determine if they can partner with you for the next four to seven years.
• When an investor is actively looking at new deals, keep in mind they may see one or two presentations per day (up to ten per week). Make your opportunity stand out and be memorable.

Bottom line: The pitch deck should reinforce your words instead of just repeating them.

How to develop a presentation

When making your slide deck, remember Guy Kawasaki’s 10/20/30 rule .  You can also use the “1/7/7 rule” from Garr Reynolds’ Presentation Zen — have only one main idea per slide, insert a maximum of seven lines of text and use a maximum of seven words per line.

Keep in mind that people remember visuals more than bullet points. Consider using pictures (high quality images) and graphics or charts to effectively get your point across and make a more emotional connection with your potential investors.

Also consider the three elements of your presentation — your slides, notes and handouts. The notes contain the bulk of the message for each slide, and are meant to help you with your presentation; they are not to be given to your audience. Consider providing a detailed handout as a leave-behind, but not a copy of your presentation. This way, you will not feel compelled to say everything as you speak, but you will ensure that the key messages get across.

Examples of effective presentations/presenters:

• John Doerr: Salvation (and profit) in greentech
• David S. Rose: How to pitch to a VC

It’s not just about the business proposition

Investors will be evaluating not only the business proposition, but whether or not they will invest in you. According to David S. Rose (aka The Pitch Coach ), you must demonstrate:

• Experience — investors prefer to fund serial entrepreneurs or individuals who have deep sector experience
• Knowledge or domain expertise
• The right skill set — to get the company started and managed effectively
• Leadership — to hire and retain the right people
• Commitment — early-stage companies will face many ups and downs; investors are assessing whether or not you will see it through
• Coachability — investors want to know that they can work with you and that you will internalize and act on their feedback

Investors will also be evaluating you on the four Cs:

• Competence — Do you have the skill set to build the business?
• Continuity — Are you going to see the venture through to the end?
• Connections — Do you have the networks to build the company?
• Chemistry — Is there chemistry between the team members and between the investors?

Practical considerations as you prepare your presentation

Garr Reynolds’ book Presentation Zen  provides a list of questions to understand about your audience before you make your business presentation:

• How much time do I have for my first business presentation? Typically, the first meeting with an investor will last 45 minutes to one hour. Arrive 15 minutes early. Prepare a pitch deck that you can present in 20 minutes, leaving time for late starts and questions. Be respectful of the time they’ve allotted. If you are interrupted or time is cut short, try not to let it throw you off. If an investor is not paying attention, continue to be respectful and professional.
• What is the venue like? You’ll generally present in a boardroom at their location. A site visit to your company is usually the next step in the investment evaluation process.
• What time of day will you be meeting? Take the meeting whenever the investors want to see you.
• Who is the audience? Try to find out which members of the investment team will attend the session. You’ll also want to determine if anyone else will be in the room (for example, outside consultants).
• What is their background? This is key to help tailor your talk. Will you be speaking with technically-savvy investors with deep experience in the targeted space or general investors? Do they have connections to help you get financed or to help you build your company further? Ask around and get as much information as possible about them in advance. Do your homework.
• What do I want them to do? You’ll want to think about what you want to achieve from your meeting. Do you want to move to the next step in due diligence ? Do you want them to provide business or financing leads? Investors have very specific investment mandates. Even though your opportunity may not be a fit for them, most investors will provide advice and contacts if you’ve convinced them that you have a strong business proposition.
• What visual medium is most appropriate for this particular situation or audience? Once you’ve determined this, consider what equipment you’ll need and check that it will be available.
• What is the fundamental purpose of my talk? Investors can help you to build your company by providing access to funding or opening their networks. You want to sell them on your concept/company to move to the next step with them. It is unlikely that they will open their cheque book until they complete further due diligence.

Additional resources

• Presentation Tips (tips from Garr Reynolds on presentation design, delivery and more)
• Communication tools for raising money (MaRS article)
• What investors want in place when they invest in your startup (MaRS article)
• Taking your Series A pitch on the road: Are you ready for prime time? (MaRS article)
• Business valuation: How investors determine the value of your business (MaRS article)

Read next: Data room basics for startups: Stage 1 data for the term sheet

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How to Create an Attractive Presentation for Investors

Elina is accountable for digital strategy development and implementation. She is certified in business and startups development and has more than 5 years of experience…

Every aspiring entrepreneur who wants to launch their business and get funding needs to know how to package and present a company to a potential audience and investors. A compelling presentation shows how well you understand your project and its development. According to Crunchbase, in 2021, startups raised $201 billion in investments during the initial stage of their launch. These statistics show that investors are interested in financing new projects and are ready to consider existing ideas. To get funding and successfully launch your business, you need to know what it takes to create an attractive presentation for potential investors.

What You Need to Do for a Successful Startup Presentation

Even if novice entrepreneurs have a brilliant business idea, this does not mean they will receive funding. More than 500,000 companies are created annually in the United States, but less than 1,000 per year may be of interest to venture capitalists. Therefore, to allow your project to develop and increase profits, you must prepare for a meeting with potential investors.

Deep Market Analysis

Most investors want to finance a project that targets a large market to allow the business to scale. To do this, startup founders need to analyze how many potential customers the product has, how much they can pay, and how their number changes over time.

In startup presentations, the market assessment is often underestimated or overestimated. This is because entrepreneurs do not have access to specific data or an experienced economist in the state. If you also face this task, pay attention to external sources with a good business reputation (reports of large analytical and consulting companies) or contact a specialist to confirm the statistics from the Internet.

Drawing Up a Financial Business Model

After successfully analyzing the market and receiving up-to-date data, you must draw up a financial business model. Again, you need to approach this task carefully since the investor is primarily interested in this.

Startup founders can build a financial model based on their assumptions and data, but the approval of a professional must support such a theory. It is an expert in the field of finance who will be able to create a competent model, which will include the following:

• competitive field;
• up-to-date market data;
• niche trends;
• realistic calculations.

Investors interested in the project will carefully check each conclusion reflected in the financial report. For them to be confident in the numbers and see the company’s future, it is necessary to have relevant specialists in your field.

Objective Assessment of the Team

The startup’s profitability depends not only on its owners but also on employees who work within the company. So during the project presentation, do not forget to tell investors about your team’s expertise:

• Whether they have already participated in similar projects.
• What successes have they achieved in the past?
• Whether they demonstrate creativity and initiative at the moment and so on.

The same goes for the startup owners themselves. Funders need to know whether they have experience building a successful business and leading a team, specialized education, and a reputation in the market. Add reviews from customers about yourself and references from past jobs to your presentation.

Following Digital Technologies

If you have decided to launch your business in 2022, then you are probably aware of the crisis. Due to the pandemic , almost all companies had to go online to avoid losing consumers. Since the decision to digitize had to be made in the shortest possible period, business owners did not have time to test their ideas and lost a lot of resources. The specialists found a solution that helps entrepreneurs try their concept in practice, attract a potential audience and show the product to investors.

MVP is a reliable way to test your hypothesis before funding the development of a full-fledged product. This software will solve the following tasks:

• correctly identify the target audience;
• check the functions that are in doubt;
• show gaps in development;
• mitigate potential risks.

Since each startup occupies its specific niche, MVP can adapt to any project. For example, Dropbox used a short video for its minimal viable product, where it told consumers how the future software would work. When the startup received a positive response, its owners created one of the most popular file hostings.

Sometimes companies spend years trying to prove that a hypothesis is wrong. A study by CB Insights found that a lack of market demand causes 42% of startup failures. MVP helps ensure that the product is in need or abandons an unprofitable idea on time. MVP helps ensure that the product is in demand or promptly leaves an unprofitable idea.

To test your ideas and get investment, you must create an MVP and implement your product or service’s essential features. This way, you will attract new clients and fund and earn money for further development.

Communication with Other Entrepreneurs

To prepare competitors and investors for the fact that a new product will soon enter the market, you must constantly be present in the circles of the same entrepreneurs and specialists in your niche. These can be forums, business accelerators, development programs, etc. This presence will help you learn about modern companies’ trends and digital technologies. It is a chance to meet industry experts and invite them to join your team. This experience will simplify the presentation preparation and introduce you to potential investors even before the launch of the MVP . Bringing the project to the market will be recognizable and get more responses than if you did not leave the office.

What Should Be a Good Presentation for Investors

Properly presenting your startup is an essential skill for every aspiring entrepreneur. Through this skill, projects find investors, attract co-founders, select excellent staff, and, ultimately, bring their idea to perfection. A good idea presentation will include the following points:

• Startup name and logo.
• Problems and solutions.
• Description of the value.
• Competitive advantage.
• Business model.
• Marketing plan.
• Analysis of competitors.
• Leadership and team.
• Financial forecasts and critical indicators.
• Current status: achievements, timeline, capital consumption.

A good presentation should concisely summarize the investor’s most important data. Therefore, the defining characteristics of a good presentation are brevity, a clear description of the benefit, a vital visual component, and many facts.

Use a minimum of text support to present your project to potential investors to end with a successful deal. Instead, add specific numbers, product or service visuals, and infographics to your slides. Remember that information during the report must be structured and not overloaded with unnecessary details.

To stand out from other funding candidates, you need to collect all the relevant data regarding your business in advance and test the product or service with potential customers. It will show investors that you are committed to further development and scaling of the project, and with a high probability, you will be able to bring them the profit they are counting on.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by RODNAE Productions; Pexels; Thank you!

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Elina Nazarova Chief Marketing Officer of Powercode

Elina is accountable for digital strategy development and implementation. She is certified in business and startups development and has more than 5 years of experience in content writing and management. Her core belief is that well-designed digital transformation is able to lead any business to success.

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Things to Consider Before Presenting Your Idea to Investors

Ensure you address the issues that concern potential investors – and determine if you're ready.

Table of Contents

Did you invent something? Do you have a terrific idea for a new product? You may think it’s time to present your idea to an investor and launch your business. 

However, don’t rush the process. Successful investor presentations require exhaustive preparation and organization. You must ensure your idea is fully formed and sound and that you address the specific proposal aspects investors want clarified. For example, you must have a firm grasp on your potential users, target market, competitors and suppliers and be able to express how you see your offering’s short-term and long-term future. You must also understand exactly what type of investor partnership you’re seeking. 

We’ll outline crucial considerations to think through before presenting your idea to investors and share telltale signs you’re not quite ready for this step. 

What to consider before presenting your idea to investors

Entrepreneurs often focus on finding investors for their businesses and determining the type of investor, such as angel investors or venture capitalists , best suited to their endeavor. However, finding investors is only half the battle. 

Consider the following crucial elements you must firmly grasp ― and be able to convey ― before stepping into your investor meeting. 

1. Consider your path to market before presenting to investors.

How do you visualize introducing your product or invention to the market? Your path to market can take several forms, including the following:

Licensing and technology transfer

• Contract manufacturing
• Starting a business   

Here’s more about each path to market: 

Inventors often opt for licensing deals or technology transfers. They don’t want to sell a product; instead, they want their invention to thrive with outside involvement. 

Licensing deals can be complex to understand and execute because there isn’t a direct process or path. When trying to get a product licensed, you must dedicate sufficient time to the following: 

• Finding the right potential buyers
• Researching intellectual property matters
• Perfecting a licensing agreement
• Consulting professionals for help and guidance.

Technology transfer is another popular path-to-market option; it enables quick monetization and frees inventors to concentrate on new projects. 

Contract manufacturing 

Product creation can be challenging for inventors and entrepreneurs because accessing specific parts and equipment can be near-impossible. Contract manufacturing can help. 

Contract manufacturing firms will produce a specific quantity of your product for a set fee. Contract manufacturing may make sense for startups and solopreneurs who must amass product inventory. It also allows them to entrust the entire creation process to one entity without spending money on manufacturing equipment. 

Contract manufacturers vary by industry, so it’s crucial to research the right partner for your invention. 

Starting a business

Some inventors want to start a business to sell their products. Setting up a company requires a significant investment of time and money. However, if your product is promising and fulfills the needs of a target audience, it’s worthwhile to seek funding and create a business framework to present to investors. 

As an inventor, if you believe in yourself and think you have the expertise and experience necessary to start and run a company, this could be the right approach.

2. Consider your idea’s feasibility before presenting it to investors. 

Your idea must translate to a feasible product and investors must be on board with your vision. 

Three steps can help you determine product feasibility: 

• Create a prototype. 
• Define your target market. 
• Research the industry. 

Create a prototype

When developing a unique product , prototype creation and testing are crucial. A prototype can inform your marketing strategy and licensing approach and help you determine if your idea works. To get started with your prototype, sketch a drawing of how you envision your product’s appearance. Next, create product markups. You can create prototypes from objects around your house or use a third-party manufacturer or 3D printer.  

Ask yourself these questions: 

• Does the prototype work as expected? 
• Are the product’s components or raw materials affordable and easily accessible? 
• How easy is the product to produce? 
• Does it require any specialized equipment or expertise that is expensive or in short supply? 
• Are there any aspects of it that need to be reworked?
• Has this idea been implemented or invented already? If so, what was the outcome? 

Define and learn about your target market

Your product is only feasible if it has a market. Before meeting with investors, you should identify your target market and understand them thoroughly, including their demographics and psychographics. 

When you know your target audience, conduct beta testing or focus group research to get feedback from likely purchasers and improve your offering. The following questions are helpful: 

• Do they understand your idea’s features, benefits and value? 
• Is the product easy to use? 
• Can they afford your product? Is it a bargain, splurge or somewhere in between?
• How much would they be willing to pay for it? 
• How will they use your product or idea? 
• How often are they likely to purchase it?
• How does it compare to available competitive or substitute products?
• Do they envision themselves buying the product when it’s available? 
• Are there any other features they would like to see included? 

Research the industry

Detailed market research will reveal if your idea already exists in the market and help you understand potential sales channels and competitors. Your market research plan should help you project the number of people likely to purchase your invention, determine overall market size and pinpoint what opportunities exist in the industry. 

You must know and understand your industry competitors so you can differentiate your product . 

Research the competition’s strengths, weaknesses, strategies and price points. This information will help you fine-tune your target market and set the best possible selling price. 

3. Consider the quality of your presentation.

Your presentation must be captivating and include the information your investors need. Focus on the following criteria: 

• A strong value proposition
• A high-quality presentation deck
• A solid business plan

Strong value proposition

Your value proposition should articulate the problem your product addresses, how it solves it and why people would buy your product instead of a competitor. Your value proposition should address the following: 

• Who are your customers?
• What need does your invention address?
• What’s your invention’s name?
• What’s the product category?
• Why will they buy your product?
• What is the current primary alternative to your product?
• What’s the primary differentiation?

Business plan

Investors want to see a solid business plan that summarizes your strategies and plans to make the business succeed. The business plan shows that you’re serious about the idea and understand the key performance criteria that impact a business. It should include:

• An industry analysis
• Evaluation of the market and competition
• Product and service offerings
• Marketing and sales strategies 
• A discussion of the founder and executive team’s qualifications
• Financial projections (if possible)
• Financial requirements  

Although a business plan takes time to build, it can be crucial in today’s competitive business climate. 

Signs that you’re not ready to pitch investors

Consider the following to gauge if you’re ready to pitch to investors or if you need more time to percolate your idea. Approaching investors when you’re ready will help you get the funds you need and avoid a bad product launch . But meeting with them too soon can derail your dreams.

1. Your idea is not fully formed. 

When presenting to investors, you must be able to answer all their questions quickly and confidently. That means that your idea must be extremely well thought out. You must be able to explain its features, benefits, exactly how it works, your production plan and your market analysis. 

If there is anything you’re unsure about, you must research that element thoroughly and at least be able to explain details, options, pros and cons.   

2. Your team is not complete.

One of a new venture’s biggest selling points is its executive team. Investors want to have confidence that the business’s founder and C-suite executives have the knowledge, experience and drive to make the business successful. 

You don’t have to have every employee chosen and vetted. Still, at a minimum, you should have a chief marketing officer, someone with deep technical or operational experience and a vice president of sales to lead your sales team. If you and your co-founders have some of the necessary knowledge and background, you may only need to get one or two additional people on board.

3. You don’t know how to scale your business.

Every investor will want to know your plans for scaling your business. Early investors are taking a big risk by investing in your startup, so they want to feel confident there’s a big payoff coming. For example, they’d rather invest in a restaurant concept that can be franchised nationwide than a single-location local eatery.  

To scale your business, you must consider standardizing your processes, using technology to aggregate tasks and lining up suppliers that can handle much larger orders as you grow. You also must consider protecting your intellectual property so copycat businesses don’t crop up.

4. Your product doesn’t have a clear competitive advantage.

If you’re entering a crowded market with a slightly different version of something that’s already there, it will be very challenging to convince customers to switch from their current supplier to buy from you. The difference in your product must be compelling. 

If it is just the cost basis, you’re setting yourself up for better-funded competitors to compete on price, which will probably end badly for you. Marketing alone is also not a strong differentiator because your marketing strategy can be easily copied.

5. You haven’t done any market research.

Market research is a critical part of your path to market and feasibility preparatory steps. Customer and competitive research is crucial to discover if there will be a demand for your product in the first place. Market research will help you determine what other trends or forces will impact your demand and the supply of talent or raw materials. By doing exhaustive research, you will know what you can expect once you enter the market and you can communicate this to investors, giving you a better chance of getting a “yes” when you ask for an investment.

6. You haven’t run the numbers.

Investors are interested in ideas, but their real interest is in the bottom line. Is this investment likely to make money for them or waste it? How long will it take to give them a profit and allow them an exit? How vulnerable is the company to changes that will affect its profit margin? Will they invest now only to be asked for more money down the road when the company runs into a cash flow problem ? 

All of these questions and more can be answered in pro forma financial statements, including:

• A pro forma income statement with sales projections and estimated expenses
• A pro forma balance sheet where they can see the company’s projected assets and liabilities
• A pro forma cash flow projection that will show how much investment is needed and when

7. Your presentation isn’t tight.

A single investor presentation could secure the cash you need to grow your venture, so doing everything in your power to get it right is critical. Ensure your presentation deck is attractive, easy to read and compelling. If creating slide decks is not your strong suit, consider hiring a freelancer to do it for you. 

Each slide should follow the 5/5/5 rule: 

• No more than five words per line of text
• No more than five lines of text per slide
• No more than five text-heavy slides in a row

The vast majority of the information conveyed should be verbal. The slide deck is best used to present graphs, numbers and images, with text that reinforces your primary ideas. Because most of the information will be spoken, you will need to rehearse your presentation until you can give it flawlessly. 

Additionally, you must be prepared to answer investor questions. Your preparatory research and business plan should provide your foundation, but it’s a good idea to review all the information to refresh your memory. Having answers readily available will show investors that you are professional, knowledgeable and thorough.

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10 tips to create an impactful investor presentation that will make a difference

An investor presentation is, arguably, one of the most important material for a life science company. with a longer time to market compared to companies in other industries, in order to survive, most life science companies rely on the financial support of investors to fuel their development programs. in order to woo the next potential investors, many members of the management team have to make a great effort to constantly meet potential investors to get them onboard and invest in their company., with plentiful of presentations under our belt, we thought to share some of our best tips and advice on how to make a pitch work for potential life science investors., here are our 10 top tips..

• Executive summary. Here you describe the company, lead development program and/or main assets, and the company’s goal. This slide(s) is recommended to be created as one of the last steps of your whole presentation.
• This slide could include general information of the company such as location, founders, if it’s a project, private or publicly-listed company, latest development stage and focused indications, mission and a highlight or two about the company’s progress (e.g. recent patent approval in the US or positive results in a preclinical disease model showing the desired effects).
• Technological innovation and how it closes gaps of current unmet medical/clinical needs. You can start by providing a brief background of the pursued indication and listing the main unmet medical needs e.g. current treatments are expensive, have serious side effects, are invasive, etc. You can then present what your technical innovation is and mention its technical strengths and commercial potential. Note: in order to avoid massive amounts of text, make sure to simplify some of the information in the form of figures, tables bullet points, etc.
• Data provides credibility. Key results from studies to support the efficacy or safety of your innovation is very important as it provides crucial information to investors about the value of your innovation. Make sure to provide some data (in table, graph, etc.) and summarize in bullet points or a sentence what the main conclusion is.
• Market size, potential and opportunity. Remember that many investors constantly have “return of investment” in the back of their minds, therefore you can provide a sense of the potential of the company’s assets by providing numerical estimations. These slides should contain information about the market potential of the target patient population as well as estimations of the market opportunity in specific geographical areas. To provide relevance to the presented numbers a benchmark to market sales of comparable products as well as a benchmark to the whole market size and growth can be presented. Also, from our experience, presenting comparable financial deals that other peers have accomplished in the same space is very interesting.
• Slide about competition. An overview of the competitive landscape or a benchmark of your innovation(s) to current competitors could provide valuable information to your potential investor about the current positioning of your innovation. Information about the competition can provide the potential investor a sense of your business strategy e.g. whether you are pursuing a crowded market with a unique product or you are a pioneer in an untapped market.
• Intellectual property (IP), regulatory environment and development timelines. Intellectual property is very important as it guarantees that you are doing something unique and you can fence off competition through a limited period of time. You can also provide information about the regulatory environment as depending on the nature of your innovation, exclusivity granted by regulatory agencies can fence off competition for longer periods of time compared to your existing IP portfolio. Finally, an investor must know what you are planning to do with money to be raised and this can be done by providing a development timeline or plan.
• Company’s aim/goal and budget. Remember the first tip that I gave you? Well, now that you have presented how great your company and innovation is as well as the potential opportunities, you can tell the potential investor what your aim is to get out of the meeting with them (e.g. need investment of x amount of money to complete a phase 1b study to resume discussions with a Big Pharma potential collaborator). You should also present a budget/use of proceeds from the investment.  Note: If you have a good understanding about the development plan and key activities that needs to be performed, you should be able to translate this information to budgetary means. If you need help, make sure to reach out to necessary service providers or benchmark costs.
• Slide about team. In this slide you can present the management team as well as the Members of the Board and/or Scientific Advisory. You can also write a very short summary of their relevant experience or verbally describe it during the presentation.
• Other slides. Depending on the time that you have available and the aim of the meeting, you can add additional slides to this core slide deck.

Hope these tips are helpful in creating or improving your own investor presentation. At MSC, we have a lot of experience in creating investor presentations for different life science companies. Our expertise varies from creating a clean and slick graphical profile to business-related content that truly portrays the potential value that the company’s innovation bear. If you want to talk more, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

By: Paola Jo, Senior Business Analyst

MSC Nordics

What’s the deal with Sepsis – The silent killer?

MSC Nordics is a Nordic-based strategy & communication consultancy specialized in the Life Science industry. We empower biotech companies to attract investments and strike strategic partnerships.

Org. nr: 556969-7138.

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13 Tips for a Powerful Business Presentation

• Presentation design

If you are an entrepreneur, a business owner or a marketer you definitely held or will deliver a business presentation. May it be to your employees, your senior managers or to venture capitalists, your presentation must be the support of your ideas.

As scary as it sounds for some of us, preparing a powerful business presentation can differentiate you from the other speakers that your audience has already seen.

From the business presentations that we encountered and designed we recommend following these 13 tips:

When dressing for a presentation, it’s important to wear something you’re comfortable in, and something that makes you feel confident.

Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of Career Contessa

1. Tell the story of your business

Storytelling is a very powerful tool these days. It is so much easier for your audience to follow a story and relate to something real that has happened to you. There is a high chance that they have had the same problems as you or went through similar hard times.

Tell your audience how you got here and what makes you believe in your business.

2. Be enthusiastic

The level of energy in the room depends on you. If you come to deliver the presentation and you are bored or tired, so will your audience be. 

Are you passionate about the subject you are presenting? Then use this passion when presenting, people are going to listen to you with more interest.  

Get energised before the presentation with some music or with inspirational quotes, do some easy exercises or vocal preparation. This way you will catch their attention from the beginning.

3. Establish your credibility

It’s not a moment to just present your career, but it’s a moment to show that what you say is credible and that you are entitled to be there and give out those informations. You can do this by sharing an experience, or reveal the work that you put in getting to the informations you have now.

This is an important point when you hold a presentation in front of your managers or to venture capitalist. They will immediately know if you have a solid background in the domain. 

4. Know your presentation

Even if you created it yourself or you were helped by a designer or agency, you must go through the presentations at least 10 times before going in front of your audience. The presentation is just a visual support of what you are saying, not otherwise.

Public speaking experts advocate for the 10:1 ratio rule where you practice 10x the amount of time you would be presenting (so for a 1-hour workshop, you should practice 10 hours). This is ratio was adapted from the 18th century American philosopher, Wayne Burgraff, who is credited of saying: “It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.”

Review your information before the presentation and think of all the questions that you can receive. Make sure you can back up any number or statistic that you might show, as investors will often tear into any kind of projection.

5. Make an analog plan

Visualize how you want your presentation to go, create a map of the presentation. People nowadays are always on a device, laptop, phone or tablet and keep losing the focus of the bigger picture. The best way to start planning your presentation is grabbing a pen and paper and writing down exactly what you want to happen. Tools like notepad, pencil, sticky notes and flash card help you build an outline that you follow after in designing the presentation.

Draw the map, where do you start, where are the stops on the way and where do you want to get the audience. Make sure you have a logical flow of presentation.

Build your arguments around the stopping points, they are the key takeaways of your presentation. This way you will know how long the presentation is going to and how to prepare for it.

6. Speak naturally 

This is a business presentation and you should use adequate business language and technical terms, but this should also come to you naturally. If some terms don’t sound right for you should not use them

Think of the goals as hooks for your audience, what is that will attract their interest to follow you through the entire presentation.

The goal is to communicate clearly with your audience.

7. Share your goals for the presentation

Everybody loves achieving goals. Keep your audience attention by setting a few specific goals at the beginning of your presentation that you can achieve during it. The goals are also reminders of your main points. 

This will set a sense of effective communication that will after transfer to your way of working. 

8. Connect with your audience

There are more ways through which you can connect with your audience. You can do this by talking from a collective point of view, it is a high chance that your audience were in a similar situation.

I know that we all went through this

Another way to keep your audience from any distraction is to ask a startling question, to which you will answer next with your presentation. Or you can engage them with a simple raise of hands if they agree or not with some points of your presentation.

9. Express your ideas visually

A business presentation is longer than most of the presentation, and if all your slides are covered in text, nobody is going to remember it. Impactful images and relevant graphics are easier to follow and don’t distract your audience from what you are saying. 

Find creative ways to express your idea with images, videos, art or just a blank slide. With or without presentation skills, this is the best way to get your message across the room.

A lot of speakers use photography to illustrate their ideas. So when everyone uses great photos, how can you make yours stand out and have an impact on your audience? I recommend choosing photos that all use a similar style, subject, or other theme in common.

Jonathon Colman, senior design manager for Intercom 

10. Separate your ideas with transition slides

For more impact introduce your next idea with a transition slide. The transition can be either an image or a powerful quotation to evoque the topic. It will also break your presentation in more chapters, making your audience focus on your points one at a time. 

11. Personalise your presentation template

How important is the presentation? Do you want to show that you care about the topic? Go to your marketing department or ask a designer to help you tailor a design for your presentation. The right design is like the right pair of shoes.

If you want to go with an existing template look for one that matches the presentation topic. Put some effort into changing the colors to your brand colors.

12. Ask for feedback before the presentation

Working too much or too hard on a presentation can get you so involved that you won’t be able to see the bigger picture. It will make sense to you, but ask for an outsider opinion to see if they can also understand what you present.

Since you already know everything that is in the presentation, let somebody else take a look to check for mistakes or for misplaced words, images, numbers.

13. End your presentation with Next steps

When you finish the presentation the audience is still processing all the information that you just gave. Help them figure out what to do with all of these with the next steps you can make together. 

End with a strong call to action and invite them to talk personally about it. 

It is a challenge to prepare all of this on your own. Business presentations are complex and need time for preparing. We know it and we can help you prepare it. 

Are you ready to take your presentations to the next level?

Our team can help with everything from researching your project, writing the content, designing and building your slides, and even creating handouts.

Get in touch

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3 Easy Ways to Calm Nerves for a Great Presentation

Whether you're a seasoned presenter or giving your first speech, these simple steps can help you manage your nerves.

The technical founder pitching at an investors' event , the engineer presenting to senior management, seeking buy-in for a new project, and the data scientist virtually presenting at a data science conference. What do they all have in common?

They're all technical, they're all giving presentations, and they're all probably nervous to present . Here are three ways presenters can manage their nerves .

1. Go to the bathroom.

And no, you're not there to use the facilities.

Enter a bathroom, go into a stall, sit down, and ... collect your thoughts.

By leaving the presentation room, you're removing yourself from the triggers for your nervousness: the people sitting in their seats, the stage, the microphone. The time away from the presentation room gives you a chance to breathe, visualize success, and be still. And unless people are loudly talking or doing a lot of flushing, you're bound to find some quiet time in a bathroom stall.

2. Squeeze something.

For virtual presentations, squeezing an object can do wonders to calm your nerves.

A stress ball or the arms of a chair are great for squeezing. If only your upper torso and head are visible to the virtual audience, they can't tell if you're squeezing anything and the squeezing can help in channeling nervous energy. Instead of tapping your fingers or fidgeting with objects on your desk, the squeezing is imperceptible. Plus, squeezing and releasing an object causes progressive muscle relaxation or PMR, reducing physical tension and promoting overall relaxation in the body.

3. Wiggle your toes.

For instances in which squeezing an object may be inappropriate, like during in-person presentations, consider wiggling your toes to manage your nerves. Much like with the stress ball, you're contracting and releasing muscles, promoting PMR. By wiggling your toes, your focus is on your toes instead of your nervousness. Not thinking about your nerves calms you down. You may want to ditch the sandals if you try this one, though!

One other thing about nervousness.

Throughout this piece, I've mentioned managing nerves, not eliminating them. Being nervous before a presentation is actually a good thing. It's a sign that you care about the outcome. You care about coming across well and sharing a useful message with the audience. The goal is not to get rid of nerves altogether, it's to manage them so they're not debilitating. Try one of these techniques to achieve that goal.

This post originally appeared at inc.com .

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