1

Food for thought: pitching tips from the Pros

Dutch Fintech Hackathon

July 5 2014

2

Sieuwert van Otterloo

• Editor www.startupjuncture.com

• Investor in startups• IT and strategy consultant

About us

Rob Bakker

• Manager ADM PDS Change office

• Presence trainer at Rabobank

3

Make sure your product gets the pitch it deserves!

Our goal

4

Part 2: Practice, practice, practice

Each group can practice their pitch and watch one other group (in slots of 30 minutes)

Agenda

Part 1: Food for thought• Rob (2 tips)• Sieuwert (2 tips)• Your questions

5

What the jury is looking for:1. Innovation: is it new

and interesting?2. Validation: What did

you do/test this weekend?

3. Presentation: Does it look right?

4. Excitement: Are you excited about your product?

All this in 2 minutes, without powerpoint, including a demo

Pitch criteria

6

We stole for you the actual judging instructions – here they are

7

Step 1: Choose your ‘One Thing’

• Presentations and workshops are transactions

• Determine what exactly people buy when they buy your story

• Emphasize your one thing in word, position and nonverbally (contrast, speed, tone, visuals)

8

Step 2: emphasize your ‘One thing’

The One Thing should feature clearly in the pitch:• Strong start• Strong End• Remarkable middle

Make sure it stands out

9

Tip 2. Make contact

Right posture• Relax• Talk clearly • Use breaks

Roaming• Look around and

make eye contact

Interaction – Dialogue• Watch if people

nod ‘yes’ or ‘no’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0

10

How does it work

Tip 3: Focus on the need for your product, not the product

What is the solution?

Is there a problem?

70%

20%

10%

11

Tip 3b: proof your need

Trailer and signupDropbox: better file synchronisation

Food truckThe Blaxican: Mexican soul food

12

Tip 4: Use your time wisely

Scheme for a 2 minute pitch

0 min. 1 min. 2 min.

Problem/ need Solution /

productResults

this weekend

Demo

Team

Hinting at a Business

model

13

Final tips: Presenting in a foreign language

• Prime yourself: use keycards if you are worried about forgetting words or lines

• Keep it simple: focus on basic English words. You are not the only non-native speaker

• Slow down

• Practice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K3johUezdg