Joel Alukwe’s Post

Here’s the secret to nailing your startup’s 1-minute pitch every single time Have you ever been asked by an investor to send in a 60-second pitch? You've probably wondered how you'll compress everything about your innovative business into that short timeframe. If you haven’t done this yet, then you’ll need to master it. I’ve delivered business pitches in 5 countries, and have listened to a ton of founders pitch. The challenge I see is most founders try to fit so much in 1 minute that they miss out on the KEY detail that investors are looking to hear. What are those key details? - Teamwork - Problem-solving - Solution & benefits to users - A Vision  - Traction - ASK Check the images I attached for a better description. Would you use this format? Let me know in the comments below.  —————

How to Pitch a VC: The Essentials When pitching to a VC, it's all about getting to the point quickly and making a strong impression. Here’s what to focus on: 1) The Elevator Pitch: Nail the 30-second quick pitch—be concise and memorable. 2) The Problem & Solution: Clearly define the problem you're solving and why your solution is the best. 3) Market Size: Show the potential for growth and scalability with concrete numbers. 4) Business Model: Demonstrate how you plan to make money and reach profitability. 5) Team: Highlight the superstars on your team who will drive success. PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

Struggling to impress investors with your pitch deck? Try this... The secret to winning investors attention lies in mastering a few essential elements. Let's dive into what makes a pitch deck stand out. 1. Start with a Compelling Story • Every great pitch begins with a story. ➤ Share the origin of your idea. ✧ Create an emotional connection with your audience. 💡 A story draws your audience in and makes your pitch memorable. 2. Clearly Define the Problem • Identify the specific problem your product solves. ➤ Use data and examples. ✧ Show investors the market need. 💡The problem shows the urgency and relevance of your solution. 3. Present Your Solution • Explain how your product addresses the problem. ➤ Focus on unique features and benefits. ✧ Make it clear why your solution is better than existing ones. 💡 clear solution highlights how you stand out in the market. 4. Highlight Your Business Model • Describe how you plan to make money. ➤ Include pricing and revenue streams. ✧ Reassure investors about the viability of your business. 💡A solid business model reassures financial viability. 5. Showcase Market Opportunity • Provide an overview of your target market. ➤ Use charts and graphs to illustrate. ✧ Demonstrate scalability and growth potential. 💡Market opportunity shows growth potential and profitability. 6. Introduce Your Team • Highlight key team members and their expertise. ➤ Include brief bios. ✧ Build confidence in your team's ability to execute the plan. 💡A strong team builds trust in your ability to deliver results. 7. End with a Strong Call-to-Action • Summarize your ask. ➤ Be clear and specific. ✧ Leave a lasting impression with a powerful closing statement. 💡A clear call-to-action directs investors on the next steps. ♻️ Repost to help your network craft winning pitch decks. Ready to create a winning pitch deck? Let's connect! 🤝 Follow for more insights on #startup #strategies and #innovation.

What to Know When Investors Don’t “Get” Your Pitch

How to make investors see the real potential in your startup: You want them to feel instantly drawn to your vision. Here’s how: 1. Clarity - crystal-clear messaging that removes the guesswork. 2. Confidence - a strong narrative that commands their attention. 3. Connection - speaking directly to what matters to them. These aren’t things a standard template can give you. It’s about knowing who’s across the table and what they value most. I’m breaking this down next week with my TurboContent™ Framework, designed to: 1. Show your strengths in a way investors can’t ignore 2. Build a story that speaks directly to their priorities 3. Set your pitch deck apart from the rest You can put endless time into pitches and cold outreach… or craft a deck that does the heavy lifting for you. When an investor feels understood, they’re more likely to see your value right away. What’s driving their interest?   What’s their biggest concern?   What signals confidence to them? Bring that into your pitch deck. And get ready for those “Let’s talk numbers” meetings. ↓ If you’re ready to upgrade your pitch deck, DM me “Pitch”

Back-to-back 1:1 pitches from founders filled my schedule. Here’s a piece of advice from someone who’s been in the trenches for over 20 years, scaled businesses to over $100M, and has seen a plethora of pitches: Founders, please rehearse your pitch until it's second nature. In my experience, 90% of the 30-minute meetings were spent trying to decipher what the business actually does. Founders, this isn't just about securing investment; it's about refining your vision and articulating it with passion and precision. The good news? It’s surprisingly easy to stand out with a clear, concise, and compelling pitch. And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Enjoy the process!

The number one reason founders struggle with their pitch deck. 👇 The wrong focus. They focus on the product, not the investment: ❌ “Look at all of my screenshots” ❌ “Check out all of the features” ❌ “Here is a cool tagline” The result - a product brochure and no investor. Instead… Focus on the startup opportunity: ✅ Niche way down ✅ Research that user, be an expert ✅ Understand the problem ✅ Find ways to reach the user ✅ Know your expenses ✅ Project your revenue ✅ Identify the talent around you The truth is… 💰 Investors initially care less about the product and more about the opportunity. Stop focusing on the product. Start focusing on the opportunity. 👉 How many of you have built a product brochure? ❤️ Let me know if you need a pitch deck review. I’m rooting for you.

Your Pitch Deck is Your Startup’s First Impression Hey founders, let’s talk about pitch decks—the ultimate game-changer in your fundraising journey. Whether you’re in front of an investor, a potential partner, or even a curious mentor, your pitch deck needs to do one thing: sell your story and vision. Here’s how to make your pitch deck not just good, but unforgettable: 1️⃣ An Eye-Catching Cover Your startup name and tagline should make them curious from the start. A strong visual goes a long way. 2️⃣ The Problem You’re Solving Explain the pain point in a way that makes people feel it. This is your chance to make them nod and think, “Wow, this is a real issue.” 3️⃣ Your Solution What’s your big idea? Show why it’s the perfect answer to the problem. Keep it simple, yet impactful. 4️⃣ Your Market Opportunity Let them see the big picture. How many people are facing this problem, and what’s the size of the opportunity? 5️⃣ Your Traction Here’s where numbers do the talking. Growth, users, partnerships—anything that shows you’re not just dreaming; you’re delivering. 6️⃣ Your Business Model How do you make money? Investors need to see that your idea isn’t just cool but also profitable. 7️⃣ The Team Behind the Magic People back people. Highlight your team’s superpowers and why they’re the ones to make this happen. 8️⃣ Your Financials and Ask Be clear on what you need and how you’ll use it. Investors love clarity and confidence.

What to Know When Investors Don’t “Get” Your Pitch

Whenever I start working with a founder to help them improve their pitching skills... I start by asking two questions. 1. What % of the time are you (the founder) speaking during the meeting with the VC? 2. Of that time, how's the split between the time you address "Past" "Present" or "Future". A trend I noticed is that the best founders who ever pitched me were meticulously obsessed with speaking less than 50% of the time and making sure 70% + of that time was focused on the future. The core idea behind it is that VCs need to evaluate the potential for this to be a billion-dollar outcome. Painting the picture of what the world looks like when you succeed is a more robust "narrative skeleton" than the chronological step-by-step of how you got to where you are now. Addressing the "present" and "past" are inevitable. Investors need this to gain conviction. Pro tip: Link the past and present as "evidence" or "signals" about the established agreement of the future. Example: "Our full-blown product roadmap includes our user's ability to do A, B, C, D. In the past, we validated that our customers need A, B, C, and we chose to build A first because it's the quickest and most effective way to build B, C, D then." Future ----------------------------------- Past - Present - Future----------.