the investor pitch - entrepreneurship 101 (2012/2013)
DESCRIPTION
This lecture discusses how to build and deliver an effective pitch to help you find financing for your entrepreneurial venture or to sell your product to customers.TRANSCRIPT
Presented By:
Peter Evans !Entrepreneur-In-Residence, MaRS!Founder & CEO, Speakerfile!
@techmarketer
MaRS Entrepreneurship 101 - May 8, 2013
@speakerfile
The Investor Pitch!
CMA Summer School 2009 [Course Title] 2
Other People’s Money Fundamentally Changes Everything
The Investment Paradox
Getting to !
NO!
Investor!Entrepreneurs!
Getting to !
YES!
Venus & Mars?
Successful!Track
Record
Compatible!Match of
Size/Stage/ Geography
Strategic!Relevant Portfolio
Friendly!No directly competitive investments
Capacity!Has funds to invest
The Right!Investor!
Entrepreneurs want… Investors want...
Platform!Significant "
Technological"Advantage
Market!Sizable and "Addressable
IP &!Bus. Model !
Entry Barriers
Traction!Early "
Customers"
Team!Skills & "
Track Record
The Right!Investment!
Getting to Yes: 3 Levels of Engagement
Emotional! Rational! Financial!
7Signs the investor is just not that into you :-(
1 “I still don’t know what you do”
2 “Isn’t your product a nice to have vs. a real market need?”
3 Is your market really big enough?
4 “I still don’t understand how you make money”
5 “Are you underestimating your go-to-market costs?”
6 Couldn’t your competitors copy you?
7 “Do you have the right players on your team?”
Pitch Principles
§ Storify Create a well paced, logical narrative….think storyboard
§ Disnify Use visuals - frameworks, graphics and images…But only where they make sense…you are not keynoting a TED talk
§ Personify Relate to the team’s personal experiences…investors are in the people business.
§ Simplify Avoid too much detail, overused buzzwords and jargon…getting a term sheet after first meeting is not the goal
§ Quantify Show how you make money for the investor. Show key metrics
§ Verify Can you finish this sentence? “As evidenced by…” Back up your claims wherever you can with visible proof
Connecting on an emotional, rational financial level
Components of the Investor Pitch
Real Problem
#1
AttractiveMarket
#2
Unique Advantage
#3
Compelling Investment
#4
Start
Pacing Your Investor Pitch Sample timeline: 12 minutes
End
Real Problem
(3 min)
#1 AttractiveMarket
(4 min)
#2 Unique
Advantage
(3 min)
#3 Compelling Investment
(2 min)
#4 Real
Problem
(3 min)
#1 Attractive Market
(3-4 min)
#2 Unique
Advantage
(3-4 min)
#3
* Note: Elapsed times are guidelines only
Answering the “So What?”
Real!Problem!
1
Focusing a Problem that Matters
Creating Impact
• Core Value Proposition: Use a single sentence
• Unique Benefit: Focus on one single aspect of what you do (aka…”the big idea”)
• Metaphors: Try to create a cognitive connection to something people understand i.e. metaphor - ”Cover = Uber for restaurants or Rent Frock Repeat = Zipcar for Designer Fashion”
• Emotion: Create a visceral response (why are things still done this way?) Be provocative….Nice to have’s aren’t investable
The Company & It’s Solution – Elevator Style
Real Problem
Introduction
Key Message: We’re fixing the insanity of the status quo
Start Min 3
Start
• Current State: Show the insanity of how customers address the issue today
• Historical Evolution: What’s changed in the customer’s mindset
• Personas: Describe the main players in your market you address
• Pictures: Every picture tells a story
Real Problem
Introduction
Problem
Defining the Problem Paint a picture of who has this pain
Key Message: We’re solving real pain…not “nice to haves”
Min 3
• Product: What is it? "(screen shots, product photos)
• Functionality: The Who + Do
• Benefits: High level value
• Category: Where do you play?
• Stage: What is the readiness of the solution?
Real Problem
Introduction
Problem
Solution
Your Solution to the Rescue Describe WHAT you do and HOW you do it
Key Message: Our solution is novel and easy to understand
Start Min 3
• Founded (Year) • Employees (FT/PT) Offices • Advisors • Product Release(s) • Beta Users/Unique Views/ Registrations • Paying Customers • Partners (Technology/Channel) • Certifications/Industry Awards • Media Coverage • Patents
Real Problem
Introduction
Problem
Solution
Traction
What’s Been Achieved to Date? Show your ability to succeed: On lots of sweat…little $
Key Message: Our team is committed and can execute
Start Min 3
Gold standard detection methods (visual & x-ray) fundamentally unchanged for decades.
Existing Tooth Decay Diagnostics
Tooth Decay Detected
by Quantum Dental Technologies
Canary interactive software and printed patient reports
The Canary Console
Company Overview
What we do • Quantum Dental Technologies has developed a new platform which uses a low-
powered laser to detect tooth decay earlier and more accurately than conventional technologies, allowing dentists to treat & heal the teeth instead of “drill, fill & bill”.
Milestones • Product - Dental Clinic model designed, first commercial units manufactured • Customers - Over 50 pre-orders secured • IP - Strong patent portfolio • Clinical - First Health-Canada approved clinical trial completed, second trial in
progress, providing independent validation of safety & efficacy • Partnerships - Strong relationships with key global distributors and major multinational
strategic partners
Financing • $3.3M raised to date, seeking an additional $1.6M to reach breakeven
Healthy Tooth
Early Enamel Decay
Advanced Enamel Decay
Demineralization
The Life Cycle of Tooth Decay
Remineralization
Remineralization Therapies The Canary System Scan X-Ray, Drill Fill & BIll
Start End
Real Problem
(3 min)
#1 AttractiveMarket
(3-4 min)
#2 Unique
Advantage
(3 min)
#3 Compelling Investment
(2 min)
#4 Unique
Advantage
(3 min)
#3
Attractive Market!
2
Opportunity Awaits Lots of Room in the Market to Scale a Business
• Size: What’s being spent today on problem? Build from ground up. Can the market support multiple players?
• Addressability: What’s the reasonable market you can serve?
• Segments: Going Niche or broad? • Global: Identify other markets • Proof: Use 3rd party analyst reports
• Thought Leadership: Are you using primary research to gain insight?
• Charts: Keep it visual and engaging
Market Size
Attractive Market
Sizeable Market Opportunity It’s Very Big …And you Can Get To It
Key Message: We have unique insight into the market
Min 3-4
Min 7-8
• Status: Closed vs. Prospects and "Paid vs. Free Trial
• Categorize: Key segments etc.
• Contextualize: Why they bought
• Personas: Describe customer characteristics
• Logos: Categorize …Avoid “logo soup”
• Evangelists: Customer quotes to validate market pain and size
Customers
Attractive Market
Market Size
Early Customers/Prospects Nothing really matters till somebody buys something
Key Message: We have buyers who must have our solution
Min 3-4
Min 7-8
• Key Metrics: Pricing, Avg. Deal Size, Registrations/Subs., Churn, LTV etc. Note: Cost to Acquire is perhaps the most overlooked and important metric
• Channels: What are the downstream costs to sell and service the customer (is this built in?)
• Competitive Scenarios: Is your model sustainable if competitors start stealing share? Have you factored in potential of downward price pressure over time?
Revenue Model
Attractive Market
Customers
Market Size
Making Money Where does the growth and profit come from?
Min 3-4
Min 7-8
Key Message: We’ve validated our revenue model and can demonstrate how it will allow us to scale the business
• Visibility: Critical to success..what’s your unique story? • Lead Generation Programs: What marketing approaches
will you use (stay high level – categorize)
• Sales Model: Direct vs. Channel (Do you have partners? Have you built a wave for channels to ride?)
• Systems: Do you have an infrastructure to scale (CRM/Inbound Mktg. Platforms etc.)
• Testing: Do you have capability to test value prop./offers? • Stages: Do you have the ability to pivot from launch to
growth to maturity?
Marketing & Sales
Attractive Market
Revenue Model
Customers
Market Size
Acquiring Customers What’s your go-to-market strategy?
Key Message: We have programs, systems and talent to drive visibility, lead gen. and close deals
Min 3-4
Min 7-8
Opportunity Example: B2B Healthcare
$1.1 Billion is spent globally every year by Healthcare sectors on inhalation anesthetic Demand is growing annually by 15%!"54,000 operating rooms in NA""3 dominant players own a monopoly position in the market, with no forthcoming alternatives"
Greening Anesthesia in the Opera/ng Room
1. The explosion in SaaS
• primary driver is accessibility anywhere • auto-backup
2. Paper to digital
• lose the shoebox by bringing in digital copies of the transaction
3. Wireless • turn downtime into productive time • increase automation
4. Collaborative Consumption
• show me what my peers are spending so I can make better decisions
Strong desire to be organized, lack competency in this area but looking for control.
Free Agent Nation
28.5 million in North America
Wave is at the forefront of some powerful trends:
Opportunity Example: Consumer/SMB
Legal
Media/Publishing
Financial Services
Healthcare
Technology
Consulting
Associations
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PULISHERS INC.
Customer Example: B2B Accounts by Sector
Go to Market Strategy
§ Integration Stickiness Auto-syncing banking data every night
§ Communication: Informative, insightful weekly emails
§ Offers: Value-added, contextual, time sensitive offers
§ Collaboration tools with internal and external advisors (i.e., accountant)
§ Focus on customer service
§ PR – already featured in the Financial Post and Profit Magazine. U.S. PR through Hoffman.
§ Social media and blog to drive SEO
§ Partnerships, i.e. banks, accounting firms
§ Vertical Communities: Custom chart of accounts for 40+ industries
§ Advertising: Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn DirectAds
Retaining Capturing
Start End
Real Problem
(3 min)
#1 AttractiveMarket
(3-4 min)
#2 Unique
Advantage
(3-4 min)
#3 Compelling Investment
(2 min)
#4
You are in the Best Position to Win
Unique!Advantage!
#3 Many of the essential pieces are in place
• Role: What value will they add to your solution Research/Development/Sales/Support etc.
• Reputation: Do you you have the right players in the market you are serving?
• Category Fit: Do they have sufficient market power?
• Executive Sponsorship: Do you have buy in from key people inside the channel?
• Incentives: Is the partner aligned financially to support you?
• Longer Term: Is there competitive threat or potential M&A?
Partners
Partners Show how you can punch above your weight
Key Message: Important market players buy into our vision and want to work with us
Min 6 Min 10 Unique Advantage
• Technology: Validate how you are different? How much market lead do you have? What degree of leverage and scale do they create?
• Process: Are there unique process elements of how your technology works?
• Licenses: Are there 3rd party components of your solution that are licensed? Do you have an exclusive right to the technology?
• Patents: What is the focus of the patent and what stage are you at? (provisional filing, patent granted) – Not a bad idea to mention any name brand attorneys you work with.
Partners
Competition Technology/IP
Competition: Technology/IP Leadership Creating barriers to entry
Min 6 Min 10 Unique Advantage
Key Message: We’ve nailed a problem that is hard to solve. It will be hard for competitors to catch up
• Company Background: List experience in terms of key companies each team member worked for. List “pedigrees” (notable exits).
• Planned Hires: Speak briefly to what primary role they will play in the venture
• Achievement: Focus on a key aspect of their experience that uniquely qualifies them for the venture
• New Hires: Where applicable, speak to any key people you may be hiring to build out the team
Partners
Technology/IP
Team & Advisors
Unique Advantage
Team & Advisors The capabilities to execute on the plan
Min 6 Min 10
Key Message: We have assembled the right mix of people who understand our target customers and the dynamics of the marketplace. We have “know how” and “know who.”
Competition Example Wave is everything that the market leaders are not:
Simple, Fast, Easy, Secure, Addictive, FREE.
Comp. 1 Comp. 2 Comp. 3 Comp. 4
A team of experts• Chris Bryson, CEO
Aeroplan, Warrillow & Co.
• Marc Faucher, COOBlackberry Partners Fund
• Amr Hiram, VP ITSAP, Red Iron
• Diego Maniloff, Lead Data ScientistMIT
Team Example
With expert advisors• Brian Sinclair
AIMIA, Aeroplan, Nectar
• Bill BishopBrick Meets Click, Willard Bishop
• Drew GreenSHOP.CA, Doubleclick, Shop.org
• Robin Axon & Duncan HillMantella Venture Partners, Chango
Team Example
Start End
Real Problem
(3 min)
#1 AttractiveMarket
(3-4 min)
#2 Unique
Advantage
(3-4 min)
#3 Compelling Investment
(2 min)
#4
There is Upside for Investors
Compelling!Investment!
#4 Presenting the Offer for Investment
Key Message: Our venture clearly offers a superior return for our investors.
• Key Numbers: Revenues, Expenses, EBITDA, Customers, Headcount
• Burn Rate: What is the net cash out month
• Assumptions: Be prepared to defend them
• Scenarios: Be able to speak to impact of various scenarios (i.e. Cost of Acquisition is x% higher than forecast or lack of conversion from free to premium)
Financials
Compelling Investment
How You Will Make Money Key Metrics that Explain the Bottom Line for Investors
Min 10 End
• Investment Structure/Terms: Type of Instrument (Convertible Debt, Equity) and what are the terms of the deal
• Amount: What’s been raised and what is left in the round? Use of Proceeds: What milestones will you achieve (with the investors money)
• Runway: What amount of time does the current money buy (can you hit breakeven or is a new round required?)
• Pipeline: Be prepared to speak to who is committed so far and who are you approaching. You must show momentum – “herd dynamics.”
• Valuation: Be careful about “premature” discussions regarding pre-money value – don’t price from the podium!
Compelling Investment
Financials
Offer Details
The Ask Value & Deal Structure/Terms & Use of Funds
Min 10 End
Key Message: Our structure and terms should meet your investment criteria
Financial Projections
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Number of Licenses # # # # #
Revenue $______ $______ $_______ $_______ $_______
Expenses $______ $______ $_______ $_______ $_______
Gross Margin % % % % %
EBITDA $_______ $_______ $_______ $_______ $_______
Total Head Count #
#
# # #
• Investment to Date: $_______"– $______ support from government programs/grants (if applicable) "– $______ cash investment from founders and angels"
• Current Raise: $________ "
• Use of Funds See Examples of Activities Below!– Build Marketing programs"– Hire US sales team"– Commercial launch of V1.0 product "– Secure final regulatory approvals"– Finalize Patents"– Initiate large scale manufacturing "
• Further Fundraising? !– Planned ___ Round Financing in ____ of _____ "– Expect to achieve __________with the proceeds of this raise "
"
Financing & Use of Funds
A Recap: The 4 Components of the Pitch
Real Problem
#1
AttractiveMarket
#2
Unique Advantage
#3
Compelling Investment
#4
In the End…The Investment is in You A dozen attributes smart investors look for in startup teams 1. Honesty…….........................Gives straight answers to investor questions 2. Vision….................................Demonstrates customer insight/thought leadership 3. Resourcefulness…………… Can make an investor’s dollar go far 4. Logic …………….……………Makes wise, pragmatic decisions quickly 5. Drive…………………………..Genuine passion for early stage & ability to excite 6. Humility……………………….Coachable and seeks help to address weak spots 7. Leadership……………………Has the ability to attract and lead a winning team 8. Critical Thinking……………..Challenges assumptions and spots the false +’s
12. Agility……………...................Decisive…Cuts losses & pivots at the right time
9. Commitment……………........Not just involved - sweat &/or capital invested 10. Patience……………...............Tolerance to the ambiguity of innovation 11. Credibility…………….............Well researched. Uses data to back assumptions
Peter Evans, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, MaRS!@techmarketer http://ca.linkedin.com/in/peterevansprofile