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The 10 Questions I Didn’t Expect to be Asked by Investors
If you're raising money for your company and you want to pitch to angel investors or venture capitalists, then there are a few important things to know that savvy investors care about.
Is a great pitch without a plan even possible?
You’ve got a great business idea, so now all you need is a great pitch, right? No need to spend time on a business plan, just put together a few slides and a five to ten minute speech and investors will be throwing money at you. Think again. A great pitch is important, everyone agrees...
By Bplans
5 Things You Should Never Say When Fundraising
Doing your homework before seeking an investor is absolutely number one priority. There are thousands, if not millions, of entrepreneurs that haven’t the slightest clue how to approach a deal. Here are some common mistakes I see entrepreneurs make when they’re talking to investors. Don’t say or do any of the following, and you’ll have...
To Secure Investor Funding Improve Your Presentation Skills
For the last several years YPO (Young President’s Organization) has held a “Raising Capital Conference” to teach entrepreneurs and CEOs who want to raise venture capital how to make successful pitches to investors. They firmly believe that if you improve your presentation skills, you will increase your chances of getting investors to say ‘yes.’ Your...
By Linda Finkle
Business Plan Review: Share the Air
A few weeks ago a co-worker sent me an instant message: “You’ve got to watch this business plan pitch. It’s crazy!” Of course I clicked and watched it. It only takes a few minutes before the “disbelief” starts. I’ve seen professionals shun slick PowerPoint slides to use handwritten or even marked up on whiteboard slides...
By Bplans
Do You Have Your Elevator Pitch Ready?
Could you describe your company in 60 seconds? They call it the elevator speech, or elevator pitch, and it’s a good exercise. I was there last Thursday to hear these two pitches, two of the best from 16 one-minute pitches at the University of Oregon’s New Venture Championship. These are good examples of classic elevator...
By Tim Berry
Where to See Good Startup Pitches Online
I was browsing in Quora over the weekend–I like Quora a lot, questions and answers laid out conveniently–and stumbled on somebody asking for online startup pitches. One of the answers included a link to A dozen of the best start-up pitches on the web at JonBischke.com. That’s a really good list, with some winners, some...
By Tim Berry
Success by Listening, Correcting and Evolving
One proven way to build a company from zero to winning angel investment is by pitching, listening and correcting. Fill gaps. Strengthen weak points. Listen to your customers. I watched Precision Plant Systems pitch at the Bend Venture Conference last Friday for the third time in a year. The first time I was thoroughly unimpressed;...
By Tim Berry