Making a 10-15 Minute Presentation at an Angel or Venture Forum*

“The goal of your presentation has been compared to speed dating. You are hoping to get sufficient interest from investors for a second date.”

Ø Introduce yourself if someone does not introduce you!
Ø Early in the presentation, explain the problem that your product solves and how large the problem is.
Ø Briefly explain in lay terms your product in the context of a solution to that problem.
o Too many inventors want to provide a lengthy technological explanation of the product. There is not enough time and you will lose much of your audience.
Ø How is your product different/better than alternative remedies. What are the barriers to entry? In other words, what protection do you have that will keep competitors from copying or imitating your product or service, e.g. patents, copyrights, first mover advantage?
Ø What is the size and growth forecasts for your market?
Ø Explain your business model and how you will make money selling your product.
Ø Briefly describe the management team, their capabilities and experience and why it is the right team for the job.
o If there are any gaps in the management team identify them and explain your plans to fill them.
Ø Provide in summary style your financial projections. Include when you plan to hit cash flow breakeven and profitability.
Ø Explain how much has been invested to date by the founders and by others.
Ø Close by explaining how much new money you are seeking and its uses.
Ø If using slides, close with a slide of your contact information.
Ø “Avoid death by Power Point. Power Point is the most abused substitute for Good Speaking on the planet.”
o Only a few good slides are needed. Less is definitely more in this case.
o Do not try to put too much on a slide. Don’t get wordy.
o Do not try to diagram or illustrate complicated concepts on a slide
Ø A good rule is less than one slide for each minute of presentation (five slides for a five minute presentation may be alright but 45 slides is never ok, even if the presentation is 45 minutes)! If using technology have a back up
Ø If using technology have a back up – Too many times I have been in presentations where half the allotted time is used trying to fix a computer glitch.
Ø If the product is hard to explain bring the product along or provide a picture. If the product is food bring samples. Do not try to demonstrate the product in the time given, especially software!
Ø Investors attention spans are short – you must get the value proposition out early. At an investor forum they may be listening to 15 deals in one day – Be aware of where you fall in the queue. Are you early or late, right before lunch or right after, etc.?

Ø Remember what Albert Einstein said, “If I have a 6 hour speech to give, I practice for 3 minutes. If I have a 3 minute speech to give, I practice for six hours.”
o Practice live for friends or associates, practice in the mirror, time yourself, use a tape recorder. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Copyright 2009
* Quotes from “Successful Entrepreneur Investors,” Copyright 2007-2009