The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: December 10th, 2020
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower…”
Wisdom from Steve
Start-up | How to Pitch your Company to Investors
Having been in on many pitches for both brands and start-up companies looking to secure an investment, I have found several fundamental principles that provide direction when presented with this opportunity.
When you have your time and place at the table set, preparation for the meeting will be critical. Preparation beyond having a great product, service, or technology. You will need to have completed your due diligence on the market opportunity, defined your product point of difference, along with your go-to-market strategy. In addition to your GTM strategy, you will also need an Exit strategy defined. Not many investors think this one through entirely, and it does cause issues during the Pitch.
Knowing your audience is critical as well. Just as they qualify you and your company, you should also qualify their credentials to provide value to your company as well. With the excitement of getting the appointment, this is often overlooked.
With that being said, I have the following list of items you should review prior to meeting with any Investors;
1. They are investing in you and your business. Ensure you sell them on you first, then the company.
2. Be efficient but effective. You must get to your wow moment sooner rather than later. You have a short amount of time to make a great first impression.
3. Have a Plan, both an entry, and an exit. In addition to your market entry, you must define a market exit with a definitive, tangible ROI.
4. Research your Investors. Ensure they have a core competency within your product category, a track record, and alignment with your exit plans.
5. Button up on the details. Ensure all you are presenting has been researched and confirmed before the meeting.
6. Be prepared. If you do your job, be prepared for a potential Term Sheet.
7. Learn the Language. Understand investment industry terminology to expedite negotiations.
To properly prepare for the Pitch, you will need the following;
a. Business Strat Plan (ideally 40-50 pages)
b. Presentation (ideal 20-25 pages)
c. Condensed version of Business Plan (4-5 pages)
d. Condensed Presentation (2-3 pages)
e. Elevator Pitch (4-5 minutes)
To be successful in your Pitch to Investors, think beyond company and product, and dig deeper into other crucial areas to getting to a Term Sheet.
You must;
• Cut through the Crowd
• Be Organized
• Be Persistent
• Don’t waste others time
• Be Creative
• Be Successful
• Find a way
In my new Podcast, Startup | How to Pitch your Company to Investors, I discuss several areas critical to securing your funding, and many of which are overlooked.
https://bryansmeltzer.podbean.com/e/start-up-how-to-pitch-your-company-to-investors/
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
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The author
Bryan Smeltzer is a successful consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, Schutt Sports, among other international brands. In addition, Mr. Smeltzer founded an apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm. He currently oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with both start-ups and established brands to empower their businesses to think different, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.