1. Begin with a Compelling Introduction
- Get investors excited
- Include your strongest points to demonstrate credibility
- Make sure they understand what you do
2. Address Key Issues in a Clear and Convincing Way
- The BIG problem your product will solve
- What is unique about your product or service
- Why your team is the most qualified to do this
- How you will sell (or get to market)
- Why you are better than the competition
- How you will make the investors a bunch of money
3. Checklist of Critical Areas to Address
- The problem
- Product or service
- Marketing and sales
- Competition
- Milestones
- Management team
- Financials/projections
4. Order – It Depends
- Move strongest areas to front
- Don’t leave your strengths until the end
5. Sales, Sales, Sales
- Tell investors how you will sell (or commercialize your technology)
- Industry contacts
- Channels
- Strategic partners
- Sales contracts
- Letters of interest from potential customers
- Beta customers
- Pipeline/negotiations in progress
6. Know Your Competition
- Weaknesses
- Why you are better
- There is always competition
- Indirect, potential, substitute or alternatives
7. Management Team
- Demonstrate technical and business know-how
- Show how past credentials support current business
- Advisory Board – Use for credibility
8. Milestones Demonstrate Your Accomplishments
- Accomplishments to date
- Future milestones
9. Financials/Projections
- Use defensible assumptions and keep it simple
- Example: Revenue projections must be based on realistic sales assumptions
10. Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much time on technology
- Not enough time on benefits and problem to be solved
- Confusing graphs and charts
- Too much information on the slide
- Do not read the slides
Remember – The investors are NOT buying your product, but rather investing in a financial opportunity. They need to know how they will make money. Good luck!