“3-minute pitch for investors” by Mark Wallace

Summary

In this engaging pitch coaching session, Wallace, an expert pitch coach and angel investor, outlines essential strategies for delivering a powerful pitch in just three minutes. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling through an 11-slide structure, starting with a strong hook to capture audience attention, followed by a clear problem statement and an effective solution. Wallace discusses the significance of presenting a solid business model, understanding market opportunity, competitive positioning, and demonstrating traction. He concludes with a strong call to action, encouraging presenters to leave a lasting impression and engage their audience effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with a strong hook to capture your audience's attention right from the beginning.
• 📊 Structure your pitch slides to tell a cohesive story, ensuring a logical flow.
• 🧩 Quantify the problem with relevant statistics to emphasize its significance.
• ✨ Clearly present your solution with visuals to enhance understanding.
• 💰 Explain your business model, focusing on how your company will generate revenue.
• 🌍 Define the market opportunity using TAM, SAM, and SOM to illustrate potential growth.
• ⚔️ Use a competitive advantage slide to compare your solution against existing alternatives.
• 📈 Showcase traction by sharing milestones like user engagement and feedback.
• 👥 Highlight your team with photos and names to build credibility and trust.
• 🔔 Clearly state your funding request and outline the goals you aim to achieve with it.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Wallace's pitch coaching?

Wallace emphasizes the importance of storytelling in pitch decks and how to structure a pitch effectively.

How many slides does Wallace suggest for a three-minute pitch?

Wallace suggests using 11 slides for a three-minute pitch.

What should the first slide of the pitch include?

The first slide, or cover slide, should include an introduction of yourself and your company.

What is the purpose of the hook slide?

The hook slide is designed to grab the audience's attention with a compelling fact or question.

How does Wallace recommend quantifying the problem?

Wallace suggests presenting statistics or facts that illustrate the severity of the problem you're addressing.

What elements should be included in the business model slide?

The business model slide should explain how the business makes money and its scalability.

What do the terms TAM, SAM, and SOM represent?

TAM is the Total Addressable Market, SAM is the Serviceable Addressable Market, and SOM is the Serviceable Obtainable Market, all of which indicate market potential.

What type of visual aids can help explain competitive advantages?

Wallace suggests using a four-quadrant matrix to illustrate how your business compares to competitors.

What should be highlighted in the traction slide?

The traction slide should showcase any existing progress, such as MVP development, beta users, or monthly active users.

What is the significance of the ask slide?

The ask slide clearly states how much funding is needed and what specific objectives it will help achieve.

How can a presenter create a lasting impression at the end of their pitch?

By concluding with a powerful emotional statement and a clear call to action, presenters can leave a memorable impact on the audience.