Accelerators And The Winning Pitches

Microsoft Ventures

Customer Pain Point (1 minute)

Questions to answer:-What is the customer pain point?  Articulated or uncovered.- Who are the customers that expressed/validated this pain point?  How many such people did you speak to?- How deep is the pain point and how long will it last? Note - This is the start of your pitch.  You can capture the audience’s attention if you make this point strongly and clearly.  What would work very well is if you do this point in a storytelling style so you are able to rivet the audience’s interest.

Microsoft Ventures

Solution To the Pain Point (1 minute)

Questions to answer:-What is your solution and how does it solve the pain point?- How many customers are using it and what is the feedback?  Describe benefits such as revenue increase or expense reduction.- What does the solution roadmap look like?

Note- The solution description should not be technical at all if possible.  Rather a list of features, it is best to make this stories of customers who are happy.  At this point you should not only leave the audience clear in what you do but how this is so exciting.  Make assertive statements.

Microsoft Ventures

Market Size (1 minute)

Questions to answer:- How many such customers are there in your current target segment?  How many possible in the adjacent segments?  Is the market expanding/contracting?  What factors are making it so?- How will you succeed in this market?- What does your sales pipeline look like? Note – This is the slide at which you create intense excitement about the market, and hence about this company.  If you have not created excitement, the presentation is over.

Microsoft Ventures

Business Model (1 minute)

Questions to answer- How will get the products/solutions to the customers?  What is the GTM?- What is the pricing?  What are the revenues?  What are the expenses to generate that revenue?- What are the plans for growth? Note – This is an important slide to show that you have figured the nuts and bolts of the business to a large extent.  You have to rehearse this slide as your credibility as an entrepreneur hinges on a good explanation.  If you haven’t figured out a few things, say so.  Honesty is the best way handling unclear areas. 

Microsoft Ventures

Team (1 minute)

Questions to answer- How did the founders come together?  What common vision are you working toward?- What competencies/experiences do they bring to the startup?  How do they plan to grow the team?- Who are advisors, mentors, investors? Note – This slide lays to rest that the team can execute on the promise of the startup.  With more external people associated/helping the company the more comfort it gives the audience.  Again if there are still some unanswered questions regarding the organization, resources, etc., it is best to state them.  

Microsoft Ventures

In 5 minutes you should capture the heart and mind of the audience.  This is only to get them to come have a deeper conversation with you, not to be detailed description of your company.

Thank you!