Home Media Blogs Putting together your own successful pitch, how do you do it?

Putting together your own successful pitch, how do you do it?

Leonie Ebbes

You are an entrepreneur with a very strong innovative idea. The concept does not yet exist, or, the alternative, you have a much better version of an already existing idea. The market will be delighted. You want to expand your business substantially and you need capital to do so. Your concept is on paper, your funding request is clear, but you need a double check. Is your plan correct? Are your funding needs correct?

You need financial resources to make your dream a reality. There is only one thing to do: become "investor ready.

Lesson 1: Try to see through the eyes of the investor.
Lesson 2: Feel free to come talk to a colleague at NOM. It always yields new insights. Maybe even more. He or she can tell you a lot about Investor Readiness anyway.

Before the time comes, here is some 'homework'. Remembering everything literally is not necessary at all, because we are organizing a Pitchdeck Masterclass on Wednesday, November 1, from 12:00 - 15:00 (for more information see the bottom of this post).

Your tools - the big 4

There are a number of important tools on the road to funding: business plan, teaser, pitch deck and the old, familiar canva or powerpoint presentation that you may explain yourself on a stage.

Here you have an important difference to address right away: the pitch deck you send should speak entirely for itself; after all, you won't be there when the investor reads it. If he or she reads it at all!

To do, not to do

A good pitch deck may also allow your personality to shine through, but there are a few general "truths" to keep in mind as far as we're concerned. Dislikes and recommendations. We collected the tips from a number of renowned business plan readers; you will see them again during the Master Class, but then much more extensively, tailored to your situation.

Advisers. Even though they sound logical, many planners miss these opportunities (unconsciously, in haste?)

Above all, do research first. What do your customers want? Do they like your idea as well?
Weigh your odds;
In addition to compelling content, choose immaculate formatting and design. Requires some upfront costs perhaps, but it's a must;
Are you not alone? Then provide detailed information about your Team. That's what investors love;
Keep in mind cultural differences. An example: in America you can dream out loud, the "sky is the limit. In Germany, your product must already be sold with 300% certainty. (Source: Alain Le Loux, expert at the Cottonwood Technology Fund);
Use a little more text than you would in a stage presentation with illustrations; the recipient needs to catch you and be stimulated, without your presence. Also, use an original, offbeat term. Details like that can really help!
Common mistake: don't forget the "Use of Funds" section. What exactly will you do with the money? And also: when? Investors want to know where they stand. Then they will naturally have a little more patience, if the results are not forthcoming at first.
Very topical: say something on the subject of sustainability. With that, your opportunities will grow.

You should definitely avoid this

Wrong timing. Peaking too early, with your brilliant idea. Someday your product will become indispensable, but now you're still 5 years too early. Worse: in 6 years, another start-up will run off with it whistling. Solution: talk to market research professionals, call around well before you decide anything;
Very practical, but oh so important: send a pdf, which arrives as you intended. Check the title again, because your previous pdf might have been called "Merry Birthday Card Aunt Marlies" and that has stuck for a while;
A very concrete example of "looking through your investor's eyes": nice, such a black or dark blue background on all the pages of your pdf, but it also creates annoyance with the recipient. After your pitch, they will immediately have to look for new printer ink. And you can't write on deep blue. So you see, it's the little things that can have big consequences.

Want to start fundraising within 12 months?

Curious about (much) more, including the purely business arithmetic and financial ins & outs? Would you like to know how to get into the (rare) Outstanding Pitchdecks category with relatively minor interventions?

On November 1, from 12:00 to 15:00, we invite you to an exclusive Pitchdeck Masterclass, in collaboration with Founded in Friesland and Founded in Groningen. This is your opportunity to take your pitchdeck to the next level and prepare for a successful fundraising round.

What to expect

Pitchdeck Review by Alain Le Loux, an expert on investments from Cottonwood Technology Fund. Alain will review your current pitchdeck and provide valuable feedback. With years of experience in the investment world, he knows exactly what investors are looking for.

Network with fellow founders. Meet other founders who are in the same stage of their journey. Share experiences and expand your network.

Invest in your future If funding is essential to your organization's growth, this master class is an absolute must. It can make the difference between a successful funding round and missing out on opportunities.

Location and time

Walk-in with lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Start master class: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Groningen, exact location to follow.

Sign up for the Pitchdeck Masterclass

Sign up with Leonie Ebbes, Business Developer NOM at E. ebbes@nom.nl and secure yourself a spot in this exclusive Pitchdeck Masterclass. Places are limited, so don't wait too long.

See you on November 1!

Getting the hang of it?

Would you like to make sure you soon know everything you need to know about market and investors? Then sign up for our Investor Readiness Customized Program or Startup Readiness Program as well.

Become investor ready?

In this white paper:

What challenges do you face and how do you deal with them?
Becoming investor ready in four steps!
An overview of all funding options

Please note that this whitepaper is only available in Dutch at the moment. We are in the process of translating this whitepaper.

Read white paper