Allotted Time
- 5 minutes per pitch
- Keep it focused and intentional – this is about clarity, not comprehensiveness.
- Note: We’ll need to cut you off at the timer to keep it fair for all other presenters.
- 2-3 minutes for questions and feedback from the audience and/or judging panel.
- 1 minute for transition/setup time.
Start with a Strong Hook
You have 30 seconds to capture attention. Lead with something memorable – a striking fact, story, or vision. Then clearly state your problem and why it matters now. This sets the stage for why your solution deserves attention.
Focus Your Pitch (5-Minute Breakdown)
Here’s a simple way to compress a 10-minute pitch into 5 without losing punch:
- Minute 1 – The Problem & Why Now: Briefly describe the pain point and the market urgency. Avoid excessive data – one statistic or anecdote is enough.
- Minute 2 – Your Solution: Show what you’ve built or are building. Focus on how it solves the problem differently or better than alternatives.
- Minute 3 – The Market & Traction: Highlight the scale of opportunity and what traction (if any) you’ve achieved – customers, partnerships, or metrics. If you’re pre-launch, emphasize early validation or user excitement.
- Minute 4 – The Business Model & Go-to-Market: Explain briefly how you make money and how you’ll reach customers. One clean slide with revenue model visuals works best.
- Minute 5 – The Ask & Vision: Close strong: what are you raising, and what will that unlock? End with a clear, inspiring vision that makes people want to be part of it.
Tell a Compelling Story
Even with limited time, structure your pitch like a story: problem → solution → outcome → future. Avoid a “data dump” – your goal is to make investors want to talk more afterward, not to explain every slide.
Design a Simple, Impactful Deck
Your slides are your visual aid, not your script.
- Use one key idea per slide.
- Keep text minimal – favor bold headlines, visuals, and metrics.
- Avoid product screenshots overload; show your strongest visual proof of progress.