Johns Hopkins Innovation Factory This deck includes common questions that investors often ask start-up founders. By preparing the answers to the questions outlined in this document, you will be better prepared to pitch your company to investors.

1. HOW TO PREPARE YOUR
PITCH FOR INVESTORS
S H A R K T A N K S T Y L E

2. This deck includes common questions that investors often ask
start-up founders.
By preparing the answers to the questions outlined in this
document, you will be better prepared to pitch your company to
investors.
2
PURPOSE
START-UP!
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

3. § What is your idea/business?
§ How is your company doing?
§ What are your future plans for your company?
§ How did you come up with this idea?
§ Why would you need my money today?
§ What will you use my money for?
3
COMPANY BACKGROUND
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

4. § How much money are you seeking today?
§ What percentage stake will I get in the company for my investment?
§ Why is your company worth $XXX today?
4
INVESTMENT OFFERING
§ How much money have you personally invested
into this business?
§ Are there any other investors? How much have
they invested in the company? What percent
stake do they hold in the company?
§ Do you have a Board of Directors? Would my
investment justify a position on the Board?
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

5. § What % of population has this problem?
§ How many people are in your market?
§ Is the market growing or shrinking?
§ Are there other markets that you could extend your offering to?
§ Where do you sell your products?
5
THE MARKET
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

6. § Do you have any revenue/sales?
§ How much do you sell each product for?
§ What was your revenue/sales in the last two years?
§ Do you have purchase agreements with any notable retailers?
§ How many orders have you had?
§ What is your projection of your future sales? Why?
6
SALES/REVENUE
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

7. § What does it to cost for you to produce your product/service?
§ How can we lower the costs to produce your product/service?
§ Where do you currently manufacture your product?
7
COSTS/EXPENSES
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

8. § What was your profit this year?
§ What was your profit since you founded the company?
§ What are your margins on each product/service you sell?
§ What can you do to increase the margins on your product/service?
8
PROFITABILITY
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

9. § How do you plan on protecting your company’s
intellectual property?
§ Do you have a patent? Is it a utility or design patent?
§ Who are your competitors?
§ What makes you able to compete effectively with
other companies?
9
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & COMPETITION
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY

10. § What’s your story? Why are you passionate about this business?
10
FOUNDER(S) EXPERIENCE & THE TEAM
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY
§ Do you have enough knowledge of this field?
§ Have you ran a start-up before? Was it successful?
§ What makes you the person to tackle this problem?
§ Do you have a professional team?
§ What roles in the company do each of the team
members play?
§ What expertise are you currently missing on your
team?
§ Do you have a Board of Directors/Advisors?

11. § Do you have an exit strategy?
§ What is your exit strategy?
§ How will I recoup my share of the profit?
§ When will I get my money back?
11
EXIT STRATEGY
JHU INNOVATION FACTORY