Purpose

Grab the attention of the investors on what your company is about with some compelling data or statement.

Problem

Describe clearly what problem you’re addressing and the benefit (from the customer perspective) of fixing it.

Solution

Demonstrate how you’re fixing the problem and what the metrics are that demonstrate your customer is getting value.

Product

Describe what your product is, how it solves the problem you attack and map out how the product will evolve.

Team

Introduce the team that will make your company a success, who are the founders, management, board and advisors.

Why now

Highlight why the timing is right for your company to introduce your product.

Market

Demonstrate who your target customer is and that you’re operating in a big, growing market.

Competitipon

What are the current solutions that you will displace or complement and what is your USP vs. competition (any IP?).

Business model

Who do you sell to and how, pricing, marketing & sales strategy and process, CAC & LTV.

Traction

Show your traction, articulate revenue to date, positive commitments and/or indicators of future revenue growth

Financials

Include a table with a forecast with # customers, revenue, gross profit, opex, EBITDA, # employees and cash, starting with the current/last trading year.

Exit

Define your exit strategy and horizon, identify current M&A in your space and potential acquirers.

Ask

Clearly express what your are looking for in terms of investment, what is the use of funds, and specify other financing sources.

Be prepared

This is the determining factor on how well or not your idea will fly before an investor. “Do the work. Out-work. Out-think. Out-sell your expectations. There are no shortcuts.” (Mark Cuban)

Know your audience

Do some background check on the investor, this can help you tailor your pitch.

Expertise and ambition

Demonstrate that you are a business-savvy and ambitious intellect who knows how to roll up his sleeves and get dirty in the real world, willing to go to any length (positively of course) to achieve his vision of conquering the relevant market space. Highlight your (and your team’s) achievements.

Unnecessary information

Maximize the time you have by being brief and precise, with the relevant data points.

Be visual

Visual messages always make the most out of your pitching presentation, avoid to many words.

Know your business

Have the right facts and figures figured out, know your long term goals and a plan to achieving them.

Brief, clear and open

Don’t get lost in detail, or in complexity. Make sure you explain in concrete details how you intend to create a space for yourself in the market. What size of the market do you occupy? What are your go-to-market plans? Give current stats in the market to validate your knowledge base the industry you are in.

Clear ask

Make sure you know what the investment will be used for, be open on your other (existing or potential) investors.

Easy to contact

Provide all your contact details, and set-up an easy way to schedule a (follow-up) meeting.