Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Don't Make These 4 Mistakes While Pitching Avoid these mistakes while pitching your business idea to investors.

By Tripti Narain

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

Pitching your business idea to investors for funding could be both – a pleasant experience and a learning, or a horrible one filled with negativity. It solely depends on you and how you present it.

Pitching to wrong investor

Not all investors are interested in all sectors. Look for a VC who is interested in your sector. It's always better to have a product ready to show instead of slides. But if you don't have a product to show, don't fret.

Give a 2-3 pages summary (not a 50-page document) and a visual power point deck to review. Be concise, explain the need in the market and show him how to scale up. Sorted!

Shy demeanor, hesitant walk

Walk brisk and open confidently - anything else than this means you are not prepared to present your business to the investor and he might not take you seriously. Do not slouch, sit up and pay attention. Do not take forever to answer a question, get to the point fast. Answer quickly and stop. Let the next question flow. It says a lot about you and could make you a winner.

Fumbling and frantic pitch

Know your facts and figures. There cannot be any other way. You are supposed to be the domain expert and know everything regarding your business. If you don't know the basics – like your revenue projection or what you are going to do with the investor's money, you are in deep trouble. You should know who is your customer and the need you are addressing in the market.

Dress up right

Unless you are dealing in beach wear, do not show up in flip flops or shorts. Dress up in formals and wear something that makes you feel good about yourself. Do not use excessive, overpowering perfume or heavy jewellery. You want the investor to focus on your business, not on your accessories.

Tripti Narain

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur Media (India)

A Digital enthusiast, news specialist, entertainment junkie, unsolicited opinion giver, bona fide foodie and a Delhi lover. Join me @TriptiAbhishek on Twitter

Leadership

How to Break Free From the Cycle of Overthinking and Master Your Mind

Discover the true cost of negative thought loops — and practical strategies for nipping rumination in the bud.

Side Hustle

These Brothers Had 'No Income' When They Started a 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Side Hustle to Chase a Big Dream — Now They've Surpassed $50 Million in Revenue

Sam Lewkowict, co-founder and CEO of men's grooming brand Black Wolf Nation, knows what it takes to harness the power of side gig for success.

Growth Strategies

AI Agents Startup Secures $4M to Revolutionize Customer Onboarding & Retention

Under the leadership of Gaurav Aggarwal and Anuja Verma, Truva AI has created an innovative solution for customer onboarding and retention, leveraging sophisticated AI agents.

News and Trends

Gurugram-based Wealth Management Firm Finvolve Closes Maiden INR 100 Cr Fund, Launches Two New Funds

Finvolve also announced the launch of two new funds, pre-seed Accelerator Fund and Scale Fund, including a GIFT city, with an investment capacity of around INR 500 crore to widen its investment spectrum: Accelerator, Seed, and Scale.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

News and Trends

The Practical Teacher: Acharya Prashant

IIT Delhi, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Symbiosis, Institute of Management Technology - these were some of the places where he was engaging with the students. Traveling to several institutes in different cities, and teaching a new concept was hectic and challenging