startup checklist before presentation to investor
Preparation
- Clearly articulate the main objective of the presentation, whether it is to secure funding, gain strategic partnerships, or attract investors.
- Outline the specific goals that should be achieved during the presentation, such as convincing investors of the company's potential or highlighting the unique value proposition.
- Identify the key stakeholders who will be present during the presentation, such as venture capitalists, angel investors, or industry experts.
- Research the interests and preferences of the target audience to tailor the presentation content and delivery to their needs.
- Compile a comprehensive overview of the company's background, including its founding date, key milestones, and notable achievements.
- Clearly define the mission and vision statements of the organization to communicate the long-term goals and aspirations.
- Conduct thorough market research to understand the industry trends, market size, and potential target customers.
- Analyze the competitive landscape, identifying key competitors, their strengths, weaknesses, and differentiation strategies.
- Identify potential growth opportunities, such as untapped market segments, emerging technologies, or strategic partnerships.
- Develop a detailed business plan that outlines the company's products or services, target market, competitive advantage, and revenue model.
- Include realistic financial projections, such as revenue forecasts, expense estimates, and projected profitability.
- Outline the marketing strategies that will be employed to acquire customers, increase market share, and build brand awareness.
Presentation Content
- Summarize the key strengths and differentiating factors of the IT organization
- Highlight the value the organization brings to its customers or clients
- Clearly define the problem or pain point that the IT organization addresses
- Explain how the organization's solution is unique, innovative, or disruptive
- Identify the specific target market or customer segments the organization focuses on
- Outline the strategies or approaches the organization will use to attract and capture the target market
- Highlight the key competitive advantages or unique selling points of the IT organization
- Explain how the organization's solution stands out and provides a better value proposition compared to existing solutions
- Provide an overview of the technology infrastructure and systems used by the IT organization
- Describe the software development methodologies or frameworks employed by the organization for efficient delivery
- Present examples of successful projects the organization has completed
- Highlight any strategic partnerships or collaborations that add credibility to the organization
- Include client testimonials or case studies to demonstrate the organization's track record
- Present the financial projections, including revenue forecasts, growth rates, and profitability
- Outline the organization's revenue model, such as pricing structure or monetization strategies
- Specify the funding requirements, including the amount sought and the purpose of the funds
- Outline the organization's growth strategy, including plans for market expansion or geographic reach
- Discuss potential acquisitions or partnerships that could accelerate growth
- Identify potential risks or challenges the organization may face
- Explain the mitigation plans or strategies in place to address these risks
- Demonstrate a proactive approach to managing risks and ensuring business continuity
Presentation Design
- Choose a clean and modern design that aligns with the organization's brand
- Use a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
- Include appropriate spacing and formatting to enhance readability
- Place the organization's logo on each slide, preferably in a corner
- Use the organization's primary colors as the main color scheme
- Avoid using conflicting colors that may distract or confuse the audience
- Simplify complex concepts and use layman's terms to ensure understanding
- Define any technical terms that are necessary to mention
- Avoid excessive use of acronyms or industry-specific terminology
- Choose appropriate visual representations that effectively communicate data
- Ensure the visuals are easy to read and understand
- Use colors and labels to enhance the clarity and impact of the visuals
- Organize the content in a logical order, following a clear structure
- Use headings and subheadings to guide the audience through the presentation
- Include transitions between slides to maintain a smooth flow
- Familiarize yourself with the content and key points of each slide
- Practice speaking clearly and confidently, using appropriate body language
- Time the presentation to ensure it fits within the allocated time frame
Technical Considerations
- Check projectors for proper functionality
- Test laptops to ensure they are working properly
- Test audio systems to ensure sound quality is good
- Test presentation on various devices (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile)
- Test presentation on different screen resolutions (e.g., 1920x1080, 1366x768, 1280x800)
- Create digital backup of the presentation on a separate storage device (e.g., USB drive, cloud storage)
- Print out physical copies of the presentation slides
- Check internet connectivity to ensure stable connection during the presentation
- Verify software compatibility with presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
- Prepare contingency plans for possible technical issues (e.g., offline backup of the presentation, alternative software options)
Q&A Preparation
- Research common questions that investors ask in the IT industry
- Consider the specific details of your startup and the industry trends
- Create a list of potential questions and draft clear and concise answers
- Identify the most common questions related to your technology, market, competition, and financials
- Practice delivering clear and confident responses to these questions
- Ensure your answers highlight the unique aspects and advantages of your startup
- Provide all team members with comprehensive information about the organization, its products, services, and goals
- Schedule team meetings to discuss and review the information
- Encourage team members to ask and answer questions to improve their understanding and confidence
Final Checklist
- Check all slides for accuracy and completeness
- Ensure that all graphs, charts, and visuals are clear and properly labeled
- Verify that all data and statistics are accurate and up to date
- Check for spelling errors using a spell-check tool
- Read through each slide carefully to identify any grammar or punctuation mistakes
- Ensure that all text is clear, concise, and free of typos
- Share the presentation with colleagues or mentors and ask for their input
- Ask for feedback on the overall flow and structure of the presentation
- Consider any suggestions or criticisms and make necessary revisions
- Assign roles to each team member and practice their respective parts
- Run through the entire presentation multiple times to iron out any issues
- Focus on timing, delivery, and maintaining a cohesive narrative
- Print multiple copies of the presentation slides and any handouts or supplementary materials
- Ensure that all copies are organized and labeled appropriately
- Have additional copies on hand in case of unexpected circumstances
Use in Manifestly