How to nail a winning pitch with investors: A quick guide

Your first meeting with an investor is akin to your first date with a prospective romantic partner – filled with anxiety, anticipation, and apprehension. How can you attract their attention? What should you talk about? When do you move on from a conversation topic? The winning formula varies according to your personality and delivery style, but here is a guide to get you started on how to maximise that precious five minutes with your investor.

First Impression Matters – 30 seconds

Open with an introduction of yourself, your team, and your company. The elevator pitch should concisely summarise your business model and startup vision.

A rule of thumb is to remain relatable throughout the pitch as investors may not be familiar with jargons used in your industry.

The Problem – 70 seconds

After setting the stage, highlight the gap in the market and justify to investors why this problem is worth tackling. 

The Solution – 90 seconds

This is the time for you to highlight your product’s unique selling proposition and show how you’ll rise above your competitors. Your investor needs to know that your solution is not only innovative, but also feasible and lucrative.

Money Matters – 50 seconds

Ultimately, investors invest to earn returns. They’ll be interested in understanding more about your revenue streams and pricing strategy.

You don’t have to be too specific at this juncture, but you need to convince investors that you have a profitable business model. 

Wrap Up – 30 + 30 seconds

As you draw to a close, send investors a call to action. Reiterate two most significant points from your pitch to achieve impact. 

Also, allocate a safety buffer of 30 seconds to accommodate any interruptions or to troubleshoot unexpected problems during the pitch.

If you have concluded your pitch smoothly with remaining time to spare, ask investors for feedback.

This is an excerpt from Tech in Asia. You can read the full article here