Invention to Venture The Perfect Business Plan, Slide Show and Elevator Pitch Presented by Tim...

Invention to Venture

The Perfect Business Plan,Slide Show and Elevator

Pitch

Presented byTim Hoerr, CEO


Telling Your Story


Telling Your Story Effectively

Telling Your Story

Effectively

Business

Plan

ExecutiveSummary

Elevator Pitch

Slide Show


Executive Summary Criteria


Business Plan

• A 15 to 25 page marketing document that is:– An external sales tool for investors, bankers,

future team members, or potential partners/customers

– Distinct from a strategic plan which acts as an internal road map or guide

• Different versions for different audiences• A living document, changing as you learn


A typical business plan outline

• Executive Summary – VERY IMPORTANT – identifies basic problem and solution

• Technology and IP• Market Opportunity (scope and size)• Customers and how you will reach them• Competition• Business/Strategic Model• Leadership/Management Team• Financial projections• Exit Strategy• Appendices


Executive Summary

• 1 to 1 ½ page section that distills the essence of your business plan

• Must capture the reader’s attention – this may be all they read

• Must answer the basic question -- What problem or point of pain will you solve?


Technology and IP section

• Provides more detail about your technology

• Describes the status of IP protection

• Does not discuss proprietary or confidential technical information


Market Opportunity Section

• Describes market opportunity in detail

• Identifies customers and explains how you will reach them


Competition section

• Same technology as competitors, or different?

• Does industry exist, or are you starting a new one?

• Is competition domestic or foreign?• What are strengths and weaknesses of

major players?


Business model/strategy section• Your sustainable competitive advantage,

core competencies, unique value proposition

• The basics of how your idea will be commercialized successfully

• How will you make a profit, and when?• Risks and how you will deal with them


Team, financial, and exit strategy• Team

– Founders/Management– Directors, Advisors– Others

• Financial Projections– How much money and when– Use of money– Time to break even/profit

• Exit Strategy– Acquisition/merger– Initial Public Offering(IPO)


Be sure the team is on board

• Understands and believes in the plan• Demonstrates

– Passion– Knowledge of the technology and key non-

technical factors• Is comfortable being questioned, and

has back-up data available• Is ready to “connect” to investors and

others in a friendly, likeable way

Before you start talking to investors, make sure the entire management team:


Separate Executive Summary

• A 2-5 page document that summarizes the main points of the business plan (BP)– Often used as a stand-alone

document• A powerful selling tool, it may be

your only chance to catch an investor’s attention


The Slide Show• A brief (20 minutes)

presentation with punch and passion

• Tells your story clearly and succinctly

• Speaks the language of your audience

• A supplement to, not a substitute for, the business plan


Slide show tips• Learn about audience and tailor to their

interests • Rehearse: role play with mentors and

ask for feedback• Prepare answers to likely questions in

advance• Don’t hand out the hardcopy until you

are finished• Look directly at the audience, not at the

screen behind you• CONNECT – BE FRIENDLY AND LIKEABLE!


More slide show tips• Prepare for technical glitches• Speak clearly and slowly• Answer questions honestly--If you don’t

know say so & tell them you’ll find out• One main presenter is usually best, but

other team members should answer questions

• Don’t be defensive, but don’t allow people to steamroll you


The elevator pitch• A 30 to 60 second sales pitch designed

to– Convey your idea – Get the listener to ask for more information

or schedule a meeting• The pitch should describe

– The need or problem your venture addresses

– Why your solution is effective – The benefits – Who you are and how to contact you


Elevator Pitch Example

• Serra Capital Fund:– Serra Capital Fund, L.P. seeks to provide venture capital to

early-stage technology companies sourced in the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West Coast by identifying opportunities through extensive relationships with universities, entrepreneurs, and investors. The Fund’s objective is to generate high risk-adjusted returns by applying its investment framework to companies with innovative technologies across multiple sectors including Information Technology and Software, Life Sciences, Clean Technology and Agriculture Technology.


Elevator pitch tips

• Write it down, revise, revise, practice, practice until is is perfect

• Get feedback from mentors and other entrepreneurs

• All team members should know it cold


Review of the elements for communicating your idea


Contact Information

• Tim Hoerr:– [email protected]– P: 217.819.5201– M: 217.840.9695

mailto:[email protected]

Invention to Venture The Perfect Business Plan, Slide Show and Elevator Pitch Presented by Tim...

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