10 POINTS YOU NEED TO COVER IN YOUR INITIAL VC PRESENTATION

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colored-pencils-1056398_960_720You are a startup looking for a VC and a VC is looking for a startup. So how do you convince a VC to take your call or meet with you? You send them a deck—make sure it is stacked in your favor.

Start by developing and refining the reasons why the VC should meet with you. Organize your presentation with most persuasive and logical order of reasons. Make sure to punctuate with visuals—simply add headlines or bold leads to your paragraph or include illustrations. And, definitely, cover the ten critical points.

  1. Announce the name of your company, where it is located, the round, how much capital you wish to raise.
  2. Introduce your team. Include the expertise each player brings.
  3. Capture attention with your Unique Startup Proposition. What are you solving? Is this a necessity or a luxury? What is most impressive about where you are with it right now? It could be the team, the technology, the growth, etc. Get the VC excited about the possibilities.
  4. Show the VC the size of the opportunity. The projected market must be large enough to provide ample return on investment. Do your homework here and make it relevant to your specific vision or solution. Complete this picture with how you stack up to beat competition. Explain how you plan to scale.
  5. Present your product. Whether it is a prototype or a blueprint, an app or a service, include as much detail as you have defined. Use all media that is available to portray the product with optimal clarity.
  6. Outline your go-to market strategy. How will you approach and capture your market? What will help you build your tribe. Do you have a website?
  7. Explain your business model. How will you generate and capture revenue? Online, salesforce, multi-tiered marketing? There are many options.
  8. Show the numbers. Not just a spreadsheet, include charts or graphs that quickly communicate your key indicators of performance or success.
  9. Ask for it. Let the VC know your needs—the money, the time, the support, the connections—and request to meet in person or via Skype to proceed with next steps.
  10. End with a battle cry. Make it unforgettable so that whatever the decision regarding your request, your startup will be remembered.

Be sure your presentation is clear, concise, and complete with compelling information and arguments. Brand the pages in a way to give repetitive attention to your startup name, logo or other identifying feature. Prepare the narrative for your presentation, ensure that it translates with or without you. Make all ten points in the most colorful way. May the VC be with you.

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