A workshop on how to pitch your startup idea in a pitch competition. Tailored to the Pitch Originator program, run by 'the GENERATOR', Monash University's entrepreneurship support initiative.
5. Just because someone tells you to jump
off a cliff doesn’t always mean you
should do it.
This presentation will inform you about
improving your pitch message, style
and delivery.
However – listen to your gut
and what you think is important. No
one knows your story better than you
do.
6. What is an Elevator Pitch?
A short, simple description of your
business idea that anyone could
understand by the time you ride
up three floors in a typical
elevator.
16. The Business Model (How
will you make money?
• How much will you charge customers for your
product and why will they pay the price?
• What are the variable and fixed costs of your start-
up and how much profit will it generate?
• How many customers can you win over time and
why do you think they will come on board?
Core Structure
3
17. 3 key talking points
•What is it that you’re doing & why does it
matter?
•How is it better?
•Why are you doing what you’re doing?
18. What people
should be thinking
I didn’t know that
I’m glad I do now
I’d like to know more
24. 1. A Minute is Too Long
In the real world, you basically have 20 seconds to get someone
engaged or you might as well go home
2. Don’t Linger on the Obvious
Rehashing facts seasoned investors have seen hundreds of times is
wasted oxygen
3. Create a Story Around Your Innovation
Even friendly audiences need to be won over
Don’t expect everyone to get it
3. Templates are Boring
Starting point – but modify because it won’t be perfectly suited
26. Do Not Get Bogged Down
Present a (nagging) problem
& (massive potential for
success) solution
Keep it clean & simple, make
sure they understand the
value proposition
Highlight customer benefits,
not technical benefits
27. The KISS of Death
INEFFECTIVE
Our medical technology is the first automatic anesthetic gas scavenging system
that will scan patients using an anesthetic vaporizer thus providing analytical,
diagnostic and therapeutic techniques similar to those used by National
Laboratories in 2007, but that were updated in 2011 to include the new
immunology reports
EFFECTIVE
We provide the most accurate medical diagnostic equipment available on the
market.
too much detail
35. The less you have to sell
yourself, the better.
Reputation establishes
credibility without wasting
too much time in your
pitch telling your life
story.
3 biggest relevant
accomplishments that will
earn audience’s respect?
42. End with a Memory Cue
You are up against lots of competitors in a short timeframe
It can be almost impossible for judges to remember the
details about everyone who pitched
Offer some type of memory cue to make your
presentation stand out
45. ways to prep for your pitch
Preview of the awesome venue
Read up on product development mentors
Practice on friends & family
As painful as it is, video yourself
& WATCH!
4
48. o Written in 3rd person
o Keep as short as possible (aim for 3 sentences)
o Make it unique – include something memorable, silly or
interesting from your early years
o We get it that your jobs were x, y, and z – focus instead on what
that experience brought for you (teamwork, introduced to a
global network)
Bio Tips