Pitching Strategies & Perspectives
How to Master the Three Minute Pitch
Source: How to Master the Three Minute Pitch and Avoid its Pitfalls
Why This Matters
The three-minute pitch is your chance to make a strong first impression with investors. It’s not just about what you say, but how you deliver it. A concise, impactful pitch can set the stage for successful fundraising.
Key Takeaways
- Be Concise & Focus on Benefits → Describe your company in 8 words or less. Focus on the benefits your solution provides, not just the features.
- Address the Pain and Gain → Explain the problem you’re solving, then demonstrate the potential payoff for your customers.
- Showcase Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) → Highlight what makes your solution stand out from competitors.
- Demonstrate Traction → Provide evidence of demand and growth to back up your claims.
- Finish with a Clear Ask → Keep your request simple and actionable — focus on how much you need and why.
- End with Impact → Reiterate your value proposition to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Actionable Steps
- Structure your pitch carefully → Follow the order: Hook, Mission, Pain, Gain, USP, Traction, Ask, Impact.
- Refine your delivery → Practice in front of friends or colleagues to get feedback on both content and presentation.
- Time yourself → Ensure that you can effectively communicate everything within three minutes.
- Focus on storytelling → Keep the narrative engaging with clear, compelling language that speaks to the investor’s interests.
Essential Tips for Founders to Pitch Their Vision
Source: Pitch Perfect: Five essential tips for founders to pitch their vision
Why This Matters
Pitching is crucial for any founder seeking investment, but often, pitch decks fail to capture the essence of a startup. To impress investors, it’s essential to balance storytelling with clear, concise messaging.
Key Takeaways
- Lead with Why → Focus on why you’re doing what you’re doing, not just what you’re doing. Investors care more about the problem you’re solving and your motivation behind it.
- Keep It Simple → Simplicity wins. Reduce text and focus on the core message. Use infographics and visuals to make complex ideas digestible.
- Crunch the Numbers → While data is important, don’t overwhelm your audience. Select key metrics that highlight your business’s potential and progress. Use visuals like graphs and charts to present your data.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls → Don’t rush into achievements. Start by explaining why your solution matters. Keep your slides focused and consistent.
Actionable Steps
- Start with “Why”: Introduce your mission and purpose before diving into what your company does.
- Use Impactful Data: Select key metrics to highlight your progress, presented in a clear and engaging manner.
Pitching Investors vs Pitching Customers
Source: How Pitching Investors is Different Than Pitching Customers – Michael Seibel
Why This Matters
Co-founder equity splits are one of the most sensitive and high-stakes decisions in a startup. Get it wrong and you risk resentment, lack of motivation, or even breakups. Get it right and you set the foundation for long-term alignment and trust.
Key Takeaways
- Investors vs. Customers: Investors focus on growth, scalability, and returns. Customers care about solving immediate problems.
- Pitching to Customers: Highlight how your product directly addresses their needs.
- Pitching to Investors: Emphasize market potential, growth, and return on investment.
- Customer Pitch: Use in sales and feedback to show product value.
- Investor Pitch: Use for fundraising and partnerships, showcasing scalability.
