Innovate UK’s Essential Tips on Pitching for Investment for Start-Ups and Small Businesses

Описание: This is Innovate UK’s 2nd installment of the essential selection business tips and advice series. This video covers tips on pitching for investment. Whether a start-up, small business or SME make sure you watch the video and subscribe to our channel for more funding advice.

The video outlines and explains the most important factors for a business when trying to pitch to investors and includes actionable advice supported by comments from industry experts and investors.

The tips are as follows:

1) Target the right investor for you

Starting and running a business takes time and resources. It’s vital you are organised and prioritise what needs to be done.

In the case of funding, approaching every potential investor you connect with wastes time. Most start-ups have to pitch to many investors before securing the funds they need. You don’t want to be wasting time on someone whose investment isn’t relevant.

2) Prepare an engaging deck

You should have a high quality presentation, based on a good business plan and detailed financial projections. We recommend no more than 8-10 slides and it’s a good idea to accompany it with a 2-3 page summary.

Your proposal should be visually stimulating; use charts and images to bring your presentation to life and make sure it’s not too wordy.

3) Sell the upside…And yourself

Your presentation will tell the story, but you still have work to do. Focus on selling the quick exit or potential returns and getting people excited about your ability to make it happen.

Investors are looking for business opportunities that are disruptive, scalable, have huge benefits and potential. It’s your job to make them believe you can deliver.

4) Follow up after your pitch

Immediately follow-up on promised actions after the pitch – including sending any relevant documents.

Update potential investors on your progress and let them know about any events or big wins. You can also keep in touch using social media such as posting updates on LinkedIn

Check out the Essential guide to securing funding here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3An...

Head over to our blog for even more in-depth analysis on securing funding: https://innovateuk.blog.gov.uk/2016/0...

Find out if you are eligible to apply for innovation funding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cExDp...

Our latest funding competitions are available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/collect...