Silicon Canals’ Post

Getting ready to pitch

Pitching can feel daunting No matter how much experience you have I was fortunate enough to be chosen to pitch at BTF® this year, and despite my previous experience, this time was different. I had just ONE minute to pitch my business and only ONE slide to present. Condensing everything I wanted to say about my journey, my vision, and my business into such a short timeframe was a real challenge. But here's the thing: by simply putting myself out there, something incredible happened. What came out of that one-minute pitch was something I didn't expect: follow-up conversations with potential investors who are genuinely interested in what we’re building at Polishpad. For all the early-stage founders out there, I want to remind you - pitching is intimidating, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to showcase your passion and vision. Even if you don’t feel ready, putting yourself out there is half the battle. You never know who’s listening and how your story could resonate. Special thanks to Seven Jacobs for the opportunity and the incredible team at BTF® for creating an incredible platform where founders like myself get to share our stories and connect with people who believe in our vision. If you're an early-stage founder, keep pitching, keep pushing, and most importantly - keep believing in what you're building. You’ve got this 💪🏾

Winning pitch teams often have the inside track.   More knowledge of the client’s needs, closer relationships, more insight or more experience in a particular market can all make the difference between winning and losing.   A few years ago, a London Black Cab driver took me on shortcut through Holborn that I’d never have discovered on my own.   When the gates are open, you can cut down the side of The Rosewood Hotel (formerly The Renaissance), bypassing the busy Holborn/Kingsway junction altogether to emerge in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, one of London’s loveliest hidden squares.   (Lincoln’s Inn Fields also happens to be the location for Mr Tulkinghorn's house in Bleak House for any Dickens fans out there).   You’d never find this little cut through unless you knew it – but every time I use the route, I think of the driver who showed it to me.   When we’re pitching at Rostrum, I’m always trying to find the right path to success (or to a quick ‘no’ if it’s not the right opportunity for us).   Another point to consider is that pitch teams are particularly susceptible to groupthink.   We convince ourselves that we’ve considered all avenues when often, we may have missed something vital.   There’s always value in listening to those who see things from a different perspective to your own, especially when they have a wealth of experience in a particular field.   When someone knows something inside and out, they’re the ones who can see the insights, shortcuts and opportunities overlooked by others. Discovering the inside track or the insight that will unlock a brief and an opportunity is often the key to delivering the winning pitch.

🌟 **Day 17: How to Create a Winning Elevator Pitch** 🌟  Your elevator pitch is your ticket to making a great first impression! 🚀 Here’s how to nail it in just 3 steps:  1️⃣ *Start with a Hook* – Grab attention with a bold statement or intriguing question. 🎯   2️⃣ *Explain Your Value* – Clearly share what you do and the problem you solve. 💡   3️⃣ *End with a Call to Action* – Leave them with a reason to connect further! 🤝  Master your pitch and make every opportunity count! What’s your go-to pitch? Share below! 💬  #ElevatorPitch #BusinessTips #NetworkingSuccess #EntrepreneurJourney #StartupLife

The art of pitching lies in clarity and connection. Ivan Turatti reveals why many fail—they focus on the product, not the value it brings. The secret? Highlight the problem you solve and why it matters. 🎯 Want to captivate your audience? Lead with your "why" and let the rest follow. 💬 What’s your go-to strategy for pitching? Let’s exchange ideas! #PitchPerfect #StartupSuccess #CommunicationTips #EntrepreneurshipJourney #OpenIDEAbiz

Pitching your start-up doesn’t have to feel like a mountain to climb. Here’s a simple way to make your pitch stand out: 1️⃣ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴? People love hearing stories, they’re way more engaging than just talking about the product. I remember growing up, we’d get hooked to my grandma telling us stories, and we wouldn't want to bat an eyelid. Imagine you selling your story. 2️⃣𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 No need for fancy words or jargon. Just say it like it is. The easier it is to understand, the more people will connect. Let it be so relatable that even a 10-year-old would get it. 3️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Questions aren’t such a bad thing, they’re your chance to show how much you know. Think ahead and be ready to answer with confidence. Its your idea after all. You should have it figured out. As a VA, who has worked with start-ups, I’ve seen these steps make pitching feel less scary and more like telling a story. A well-prepared pitch isn’t about selling, it’s about inviting people into your journey and making them feel like they’re part of something exciting. Hope this brings you some value! Have a productive day ahead. #purposepursuitprofits #govisibleorgohome #futureyouchallengewithemilywalekoya

What Start Up Are You Pitching? Follow @meetthedrapers for more business advice.

The art of pitching lies in clarity and connection. Ivan Turatti reveals why many fail—they focus on the product, not the value it brings. The secret? Highlight the problem you solve and why it matters. 🎯 Want to captivate your audience? Lead with your "why" and let the rest follow. 💬 What’s your go-to strategy for pitching? Let’s exchange ideas! #PitchPerfect #StartupSuccess #CommunicationTips #EntrepreneurshipJourney #OpenIDEAbiz

How to pitch like a French cock. 6 steps to radically change how you channel your inner boldness, confidence, and presence and master the framework. When pitching — whether on a stage or in a boardroom — there's a lot we can learn from the French rooster, a symbol of confidence and resilience. As women, it was often implied we should be less loud. Let’s not. Here’s how to make a lasting impact: 1. Proud on top of the barn ↳ Your stage is his barn: stand tall and energetic. Your audience is bored and sleepy, waiting for inspiration — time to wake them up and make them engage! 2. Start with an unbeatable hook ↳ Start strong, like the rooster’s clear crow, breaking the silence of the night. Hook your audience early to get their attention from the get go (saw what I did here?). 3. Speak slowly and with clarity ↳ I always speak too fast. Get . Way . Slower. Pausing between key points adds weight to your message and gives your audience time to digest. 4. Be unapologetically yourself ↳ It’s your time up there, use it at best. No one actually cares. Make a difference. Look at him: everyone sleeps, and he dares being all alone, up there. Have fun. 5. Be ready for challenging questions ↳ Check all the reasons people said no to you: rehearse all the replies. So you can tackle them like the rooster standing its ground. 6. Finish strong ↳ A rooster fights until the end. Clarify all reasons they might say no on the spot, and define clear and timed next steps. By the way, the rooster is also arrogant: let’s not be that. While the rooster crows loudly, he also knows when to step back. Confidence is powerful, but arrogance can kill the message. There’s a fine line between both: knowing how to balance it, be assertive but humble, is a skill in itself. What are your thoughts on the French cock pitching framework? What’s your go-to strategy for delivering a bold pitch? ♻️ Share to get more inspiring pitches. And follow me Helene Guillaume Pabis for more raw insights on entrepreneurship.

Good tips for pitch