I read and listen to about 120 pitches per week. What I love is that all the ideas and the people behind them are unique – what I don’t love is that everyone has a different pitching format. Sometimes, I’m yearning for more information, and other times I’m waiting for it to stop. Not because I’m impatient, or a bad person - neither is the investor or the friend you’re pitching - but because we know you’re super passionate and can speak for hours on it, we want to understand the core details so we can learn if we can be helpful as early as possible.
Hence, I am introducing a self-created format called ClearPitch42.
INTRO
[__________], is my Xth startup.
I have [_____] co-founders and/or [_____] people on the team.
The HQ is in [__________], and we were founded [_____] months ago.
OVERVIEW
We’re focused on [____________________] (target audience),
that helps/solves [____________________] (problem),
by offering a [____________________] (solution).
CLOSING
To date, we’ve had [____________________] (traction)
ie. revenue > funds raised > users > PoC’s > LOI’s > signups > surveys
My ask is [____________________].
*SITUATIONAL
If you have time left or if you think it’s very relevant, two common additions are:
We are different/better than [__________] because of [__________] (competition).
The time is now because [__________] (market).
Note:
If you’re in the early-stages of building and don’t have any traction, replace with:
My past experience/expertise is in [__________] which is why we’ll win. (relation).
• • •
Hence, using this ClearPitch42 format, each pitch will be - yep you guessed it: 42-seconds, which is 8-9 glorious lines that cover the basic information the listener needs to understand you, the startup, it’s stage, and your ask.
Only then, will you need to dig into the other areas that are of interest to the listener/investor, such as: why you started the company, what you were doing before this, how you and the co-founders met, your long-term vision, go-to-market strategy, competitors, etc.
PS. Coincidentally, it should cosily fit into a Tweet too - allowing you to share your ONE most important link as a reply.
Write yours now using this Google Doc template.
#ClearPitch42