PITCH LIKE A PRO.
May 7 – Svenia Ponniah
Entrepreneurship Center University of Bern
This year’s STAGE UP workshop series comes to an end with an exciting workshop on the topic of pitching. In our last workshop, we welcomed Marcel Hofstetter, who gave our participants valuable tips and tricks on the art of pitching. In addition to theoretical basics, the workshop offered practical sessions with feedback so that the participants could directly apply what they had learned to further develop their own pitch.
WHY PITCHING IS SO CRUCIAL.
PRESENT IDEAS EFFECTIVELY.
Pitching is often misunderstood: Many founders think that a pitch has to lead directly to a deal. In fact, the main goal is to arouse interest and take the conversation to the next round.
A good pitch helps:
- Attract attention and communicate the vision clearly
- Build trust and credibility so that the audience believes in the team and the idea
- Trigger curiosity by sharing enough information to make you want more
- Initiate the next step, e.g. a follow-up discussion, meeting or investment call
A pitch therefore does not immediately sell the company, but rather the opportunity for a further discussion.
WORKSHOP INSIGHTS.
HOW SUCCESSFUL PITCHING CAN HELP FOUNDERS.
The workshop taught the key success factors of a convincing start-up pitch. It became clear that a successful pitch not only depends on a good idea, but above all on a clear structure, target group-oriented communication and an authentic appearance.
Today’s workshop focused on the following points:
- Analyze the target group in advance and adapt the pitch accordingly
- Communicating complex content clearly and concisely
- Lead through problem, solution and added value with a clear storyline
- Appear authentic and gain confidence through preparation
- Anticipate critical questions and be prepared for objections
Throughout the workshop, participants had the opportunity to apply Marcel Hofstetter’s tips and tricks directly and thus improve their own pitches.
KEY INSIGHTS AT A GLANCE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS FOR ALL THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
- Own the Room: You know the problem best
- Stand Out: Create contrasts, emotions and curiosity
- Anticipate Resistance: Prepare yourself for critical questions
- 1 slide / minute: not too much content
- 1 Key Message / Slide: each slide has a key message
- Make It Matter: Show concrete added value: What improves, for whom and to what extent?
- End with a Clear Ask: Say clearly what you want next
- Consider important criteria: Clarity, context, market, problem and solution
- Consider important topics: Market, feasibility, team
OUR TRAINER AT A GLANCE.
A big thank you to Marcel Hofstetter for his valuable support of our founders.
MARCEL HOFSTETTER
We are looking forward to the upcoming sessions of the STAGE UP Workshop Series and to accompanying even more startups on their way!