Between talking to energy project developers approaching my investment bank (EverGreen Pacific Capital) and energy technology entrepreneurs pitching me at the Northwest Energy Angels group, I see a lot of PowerPoint presentations. Most of them bad.
This is not to say that the presenters aren't smart or committed or are in some way lacking in intellectual or physical capacity needed to succeed. It's just that "the pitch" (as VCs and other investors want to see them) tends to run contrary to the way that good entrepreneurs think. It is like asking a new parent to tell you about their baby - but don't take more than 30 seconds!
I was recently reminded of an excellent rule of thumb from the VC Guy Kawasaki. He calls it the 10/20/30 rule. Your pitch should be no more that 10 slides, take no more than 20 minutes and have no text smaller than 30 points. I'll post the link for you to read.
There are many good reasons for following these rules as Guy discusses. I'd also add the old show business adage, "always leave the audience wanting more." You need to make me curious about the further details. Don't try to guess where I want to drill down. Every investor gets curious and subsequently comfortable about opportunities in different ways. The pitch must only serve as the appetizer to the information banquet we wish to dine at, not the prix fixe meal.
I promise that distilling your story down to fit the 10/20/30 rule will be difficult but it will show the investor that you respect his time and that you are able to identify and focus on what's really important. If you do it right, it will also generate real interest and curiosity about your idea. For entrepreneurs at a first meeting in search of risk capital, that's as good as it gets.
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