The document provides 14 essential tips for pitching and securing funding for business ventures, emphasizing the importance of preparation and storytelling. Key components of a successful pitch include addressing the problem, showcasing the uniqueness of the solution, highlighting target markets, and presenting financial projections. It also encourages the inclusion of personal experiences and the team's strengths to build credibility and interest among potential investors.

1. 14 Tips on
How to Pitch
and Get Funded

2. Caroline Cummings
VP of Business Development
Resident entrepreneur
Raised close to $1M for prior
two tech startups

3. www.LivePlan.com
Plan & track from anywhere!

4. The Purpose of the 10-Minute Pitch

5. Deliver a Performance
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!!

6. Assumptions:
•Written a business plan
•Conducted due diligence
• Team, financials, investors, market,
competition, IP, trends. . .
•Have mentors/advisors

7. Build Credibility
•Hit the“stage”strong
•Share your“rock star”talents
•Share“been there, done that”
•Utilize the“cool factor”
•Spark their interest

8. Address the Problem 1 minute
Tell a compelling story

9. Your Solution to the Problem 1.5 minutes
Describe the uniqueness of your product

10. Your Successes 30 seconds
•Money raised
•Barriers overcome
•Key investors
•Key hires
•Sales made
•Partnerships
•LOIs
•Patents
•Media
•Etc.

11. Target Markets 1 minute
Highlight any key research
Beta Market, Addressable Market, Market Segments,
% of Revenue/Market, Potential Market...

12. Target Markets
Facebook:
(1) Harvard/Stanford
(2) Ivy League
(3) Colleges/Universities
(4) 14-34 years old
(5) Businesses. . .
Fastest growing demographic:
Women 55+ years old

13. Acquiring Your Customers? 30 seconds
Include the cost to acquire a customer

14. Your Competition 1 minute
Clearly communicate your Value Proposition

15. City/
Local
Focus
No Character
Limitations
Free to
Post
Can
Include
Images
Social
Media
Friendly
Easy to
search
Local
Newspaper
✪
✪
✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪
Due Diligence on Competition

16. Your Revenue Model 1 minute
How you will make money?
Who it will come from?
Market validation. . .

17. Your Financial Projections 1 minute
Include key assumptions
Research to back it up
Explain inflection points

18. Assumptions Are King! 30 seconds

19. Know the Metrics for Your Model
If you have a SaaS business model:
•Content Marketing
•Uniques, TOS, bounce rates, open rates,
CTRs, CVR. . .
•CAC = Customer Acquisition Cost
•LTV = Lifetime Value ($)
•Churn Rate (the lower the better)
•Referral Rates
•Cancellation Reasons

20. Your Team 1 minute

21. Ideators
Growers
Exiters
Starters
Innovators

22. Your Funding Needs 30 seconds
Brittany’s sister is
having a baby and I need
$5 to buy her a nice gift

23. Your Exit Strategy 30 seconds
Include comparables
Estimated timeline to exit

24. End On a High Note
Remind them why you are a Rock Star!

25. Free eBook

26. Questions?
@iamcarolina
@Bplans