The Pitch

Most startups will require funding and in order to obtain financial assistance from a potential investor you will at some point be required to pitch your business concept. The term Pitch refers to a presentation of a business idea to potential investors or customers. Typically you would stand in front of your potential investors and present your product with visual aids. At the outset you can provide your audience with a single page reflecting the financial information, market summary and necessary legislation.

According to LinkedIn, the following 6 elements of the pitch are essential:

1. Grab the attention of your potential investor with a catchy cover slide which displays what you are pitching.
2. Give an overview of your company. It should be a concise elevator pitch conveying your passion.
3. Define the problem.  Show how your product/service relates to this problem. And then tell the story with enthusiasm and passion on how you came up with the idea for your product. Get the investor interested and excited to invest.
4. Explain how your company will solve this problem in a unique manner. Be persuasive when showing that you came up with YOUR solution.
5. Show who your target market, i.e. customers will be. Who will buy your product? Who’s problems will be solved?
6. Set yourself apart from the competition. What makes you different, special, better, unique? Sell yourself and demonstrate why you are superior to your competitors. Convince the investors why your product is better than everything that exists in the market!

Practise your pitch several times before standing in front of your audience, your chances of success will increase. Remember to emphasise the benefits of your product or idea.

Master the skill of pitching since it will be useful attract investors, to find suitable co-founders, to recruit the best employees, and ultimately to fine-tune your idea. Tailor your pitch to suit the audience, whether it’s an investor, potential client, or partner.