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12 Surefire Tips for the Perfect Investor Pitch Pitching your startup is easier and less stressful when you take the proper steps from the beginning. BY ALEXANDER GALIT SKY • OCT 5, 2023
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Key Takeaways 1. Explain your concept at the start of your pitch. 2. Don't read from your pitch deck. Read more for ten more effective pitch habits. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
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our startup needs capital to continue its growth and development, but finding investors can sometimes be challenging. If you know how to pitch your startup to venture capitalists, though, you have a better chance of turning your fledgling company into a success story. Here's a step-by-step guide to help.
1. Explain your concept at the start of your pitch When pitching to venture capitalists (VCs), you want to make sure you're not burying the lede. The goal is to capture their attention in the first five minutes with the basics of what you're planning. Hit the highlights, and consider it your elevator pitch. They need to know what you're all about upfront, and then you can expand with more detail. Related: 7 Step Guide On Preparing Your Business Pitch
2. Don't read from your pitch deck While your pitch deck is a vital piece of the puzzle, it's not something you want to be reading from. You should know enough about your concept and your startup's plans to avoid reading from your slides as you present them. Using pictures and graphics, showcasing statistics and pointing out important details are far better uses of pitch decks and provide visual support for your presentation at the same time.
3. Make the meeting interactive and mutual Asking questions, relating to others, and bringing them into the discussion are all excellent ways to get people interested in what you're doing. If you engage VCs in conversation during your meeting, they may become more invested in your proposed product or service. Stop after important concepts to see if they have questions, or even ask them if they have stories or relatable moments to share. You want to build a rapport with them.
Related: How to Craft An Elevator Pitch That Gives People Chills in Under 20 Seconds
4. Be ambitious about the future Don't be afraid to dream big and to have bold ideas about what you want to do. After all, your vision is creating the opportunity for a startup that could change the world. As long as you have the skills to back it up and can show that it's a wanted or needed concept with a market for it, the sky really can be the limit. Being timid won't get you the funding and support you want.
5. Know the specifics of your target market To pitch your startup to venture capitalists successfully, you need to know your target market. It shows that you've done your research and understand the value you're bringing to the table. It also shows potential investors that you have a market and know who your customer base will be. A product or service that sounds like a great idea still won't sell well if there's no market for it or what it offers.
6. Show that you know your competitors Just like knowing your target market, you also need to know your competition. While your startup may bring something new to the table, it's unlikely that you will have no competition. Other companies may be doing all or part of what you're trying to do, and you want to