Prepare a pitch deck for your company using a PowerPoint File WITH AUDIO NOTE: THE PITCH MUST BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. ANY PITCHES THAT RUN LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES WILL BE STOPPED AT THE 10 MINUTE MARK AND GRADED AS OF THAT POINT IN THE PRE

Do’s and Don’ts of the Pitch

Do’s and Don’ts of the Pitch • Don’t:

– Talk about projections without a plan. – Lie or exaggerate. – Forecast “hockey stick” growth. – Say “I have no competitors”. – Focus only on positives. – Dwell on issues – tell how you will solve them. – Read your slides. – Become argumentative or defensive.

Do’s and Don’ts of the Pitch • Don’t (continued):

– Obsess about your financial stake. – Not listen. – Pitch before you’ve practiced and are ready. – Say that “all of your assumptions are very

conservative and you’ll do better” (do, sensitivity analysis).

– Leave your technology turned on during the pitch. – Try to answer a question you have no answer for.

Do’s and Don’ts of the Pitch • Do:

– Connect emotionally with the investor. – Give product demo (if applicable). – Highlight your prior successes. – Emphasize your team strength. – Demonstrate you understand the market. – Discuss how you will gain or sustain competitive

advantage. – Assume you will succeed on revenue projections.

Do’s and Don’ts of the Pitch • Do:

– Show you have a plan for each major risk. – Research your audience. – Target the presentation to the audience. – Leave time for questions. – Ask for adequate funding – that’s why you’re

there.

Do’s and Don’ts - Summary • Remember, you only have a few minutes to

interest the investor – make sure you do. • Less is more, be concise and to the point. • Don’t hypothesize – execute! • Hockey sticks are best left on the ice. • Be frugal. • Crawl before you walk before you run. • NEVER be the smartest person in the room.