KEC Talkshow: How to Create a Successful Pitch Deck for Investors

Roy Ramon, startup investor, consultant, and partner director of 2P9 sometimes listens to more than twenty startup pitches a day; based on his experience he shares advice on how to create a successful pitch deck for investors. He divides his presentation in three segments: preparation, presentation and the final actions. "Be yourself, because I think that’s one of the most important things”. Preparation Ramon emphasizes the importance of investigating information about your audience, are they clients, investors, strategic partners…? To understand how to address them and what information do they want to hear and make your pitch relevant for them. Other aspects are to present yourself at the beginning, consider the time you have for a pitch to adjust the content, prepare a list of possible scenarios that could happen, have a few versions of the same presentation according to the audience and send the investors material of your project. "Being human is selling better than anything else, and don’t be embarrassed if you make mistakes or if you forget something”. Presentation Roy then shares that for short presentations, the main focus should be the product from the user perspective. In long presentations in addition to the product, you need to explain the opportunity that you found and the method, how do we plan to succeed? because it gives more background and attachment. Most people forget to talk about the team, Roy explains; but it is crucial, since it's your opportunity to explain why your team is equipped to do it better. "Remember, that when you pitch for investors the product is important, but more important is the company, at the end that’s what you are selling”. To communicate the motivation on why you are doing a project is another key factor, says Ramon. You need to believe in your idea a 100%, otherwise nobody is going to invest in it. In your pitch, you also need to talk about you business model in a macro level, how are you going to make money? And about who is your competition. Finally he advises to ask the audience if they have questions and if they don’t have any, you can make them questions to know what they thought about your presentation. "Not every feedback needs to be accounted for”. Action Finally Ramon goes into what is the action that you expect the other side to take, try to find the things that will get the other party to be taking action. If you get a “no”, never ask them to recommend another investor, instead you can send an update of your project a few months later. Don’t miss Roy Ramon’s final quick tips that will make a difference in your pitch.