The winning fundraising presentation
Telling your company’s story
Defining and telling your company’s story Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
Goal of the presentation‌ Succinctly communicate how all the pieces making up your business fit together to create a compelling investment opportunity
Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
What’s needed Investors want to learn if… • There is a solid business concept and business model • Management is smart and experienced • There are competitive advantages to exploit • Realistic financial projections have been set • There’s a good chance to make money on the investment Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
The pitch presentation Overview company presentations are “pitch meetings” with investors Three considerations 1. What—the content 2. How—the delivery of the pitch 3. Who—know your audience; different investors have different hot buttons, so customize to meet their expectations and mindset Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
What—Sample structure 10 slides or so… 1. What you’re after 2. Company overview and elevator pitch, i.e. mission/mantra/vision 3. The team 4. Problem buy-in—market and opportunity size 5. Your solution—products and benefits 6. Competition
Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
Sample structure, continued… 7. Marketing and leverage points—how you’ll overcome the competition; distribution 8. Success metrics; revenue projections 9. Status, timeline, use of funds 10. What all this means and why it’s a compelling investment opportunity; call to action PLUS, have answers ready to any “rude” questions that might come up (“So why were you fired from XYZ 10 years ago?”) Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
About the “what” Create. Edit. Trim. And edit again. Because…
“Less is more.” Mies van der Rohe
Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
The “how” Tell your story by… 1. 2. 3. 4.
Capturing the imagination Showing, not telling Building trust; telling the truth Supporting your presentation with slides with no more than 2-3 points each (unlike this slide); do not read the slides; hand them out after the presentation 5. Adjusting to the audience (watch the nuanced body movements) Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
The “how,” continued… Grab and keep their attention (change their pulse) with… • Vocal variety—avoid the monotone • Non-verbal communication—gestures, expressions, movement • Tell stories—use to communicate details, timing, purpose Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
The “how,” continued… Keep it clear • Avoid MBA and geek speak • BAD: We’ve developed a collaborative and interactive B2B value generator that facilitates data transmission between the enterprise and internal partners. • GOOD: We streamline communications between headquarters and field sales.
• Avoid acronyms, e.g. NIMBY,NOCs
Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
The “how,” continued… Be visual; avoid bullets Which is easier to grasp? Fast growth • 100% increase 2001 over 2002, from $1 million to $2 million • Gross margins increased from 10% of revenues in 2001 to 25% in 2002
OR
10% profit
Fast growth 2002
$1 million in sales Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC
25% profit 2003
$2 million in sales
Thank you‌
Helping companies navigate the marketing maze. Nimble Strategies LLC 206.948.2980 Winning business plans
Copyright 2006 by NimbleStrategies LLC