Secrets to a pitch that stands out, by Jonathan Willbanks
In the world of startups, where dreams meet reality, there's a rite of passage every founder must face: pitching to angel investors. This isn't about numbers or slides; it's a deeply personal journey of sharing your vision and hoping someone believes in it as much as you do. Knowing the importance of sharing ideas, we invited Jonathan Willbanks, a member of our ecosystem, to share his secrets for a pitch that truly stands out, ensuring you make the most of your potential investors' precious time.
Jonathan is the Founder and CEO of Arterra Pet Science, a pet supplements e-commerce platform that sets a new standard for healthy canine aging. Moreover, he has a significant background in helping brands to develop products that benefit both people and the planet. So, without further ado, let’s read Jonathan’s insights, which are guiding him towards the launch of Arterra by the end of this month!
Clear vision
Have a crystal clear vision of your MVP and what milestones/tollgates you aim to reach with this capital, helping investors understand exactly where their money will be going today. Pair that with a higher-level medium- and long-term narrative that sketches a credible path to your endgame and your investors’ eventual returns.
Path to profitability
The days of cheap money are over, and VCs are no longer willing to indefinitely fund growth at all costs. Today’s market entrants need to have a disciplined understanding of their margin structure and path to profitability very early on. VCs are still very willing to provide growth capital for profitable (or breakeven) mid-stage businesses, but the sooner you can reach profitability the better. Show your angel/seed investors that you understand this.
Understand your competitive landscape and moat
Be able to proactively explain:
What new problem are you solving that your competitors aren’t?
What moat or lead time to do you have before you competitors copy your success, and
How will you capitalize on that lead to widen the gap?
Embrace difficult questions to help you grow
You should already be prepared for the most common questions investors will ask, but the smartest can still throw curveballs. Don’t be afraid to say “That’s a great question we haven’t explored yet. May I follow up with you tomorrow with that data / my thoughts?” Assuming you’re otherwise thoughtful and well-prepared, a founder who isn’t afraid to admit their blind spots and follow up on them is more trustworthy and credible than one who pretends to have all the answers.
The entrepreneurial journey is a human endeavor, with all its highs, lows, dreams, and challenges. When you pitch, you’re not just selling a business idea; you're inviting someone to join you on this incredible ride. Infuse your pitch with authenticity, share your objectives, and let your passion be the central element that guides the right investors to your initiative.
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