Five questions your “elevator pitch” must answer:
- What is your product or service?
- Who is your market?
- What is your revenue model? More simply, how do you expect to make money?
- Who is your competition?
- What is your competitive advantage?
What your “elevator pitch” must contain:
The Introduction
- Keep it simple; don’t waste time with your bio!
- What is the name of your company?
- Who are you?
- What is your role at the company?
The Description
- Your goal: The investor understands your product!
- Describe benefits; not features
- Business value; not technical specifications
- Draw an analogy: “Unlike our competitors…
- Use a metaphor
- Focus on the single most important benefit
- Why will customers buy your product?
- Why is your product unique?
The Hook
- Grab the investors’ attention; make them want to know more!
- What makes your company special?
- This is a phrase or word that strikes a chord in your listener.
The Close
- Keep it simple
- What stage of development are you in?
- How much capital are you seeking?
If you have time left…
-
- How will you use the capital?
- What are the key milestones you will hit?
Delivery Matters!
- Show your passion!
- Smile & make eye contact
- Use tone, volume & pace for emphasis
- Don’t distract with gesticulation or fidgeting
- Dress code: When in doubt… business casual
Judges & Scoring:
The judging panel will consist of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, angel investors, consultants, and other venture professionals
Scoring sheets will be provided by the Grove City College Entrepreneurship department, and will be tallied at the conclusion of each category within the competition.
When assessing your pitch, the judging panel will assess its quality and delivery.
All decisions of the judging panel are final.
Elevator Pitch Competition Schedule of Presentations:
Presentations will take place on Thursday, October 30th in the following locations:
- Non-Profit HAL (TBD) 3:00 p.m.
- For-Profit HAL (TBD) 3:00 p.m.
- Science/Technology HAL (TBD) 3:00 p.m.
You must be present at the beginning of your session to meet with competition organizers and judges who will review the rules of the competition. Judges will inform participants of the criteria they’ll use to score their efforts.
The selected registered individuals/teams will be organized in the appropriate category by a randomly selected order determined prior to the competition.
The students presenting in the competition will be notified by email of their order in the competition several days prior.
Individuals/teams will be required to present at their designated time unless an extreme emergency occurs.
Individuals/teams must be in their presentation location and ready to present at least five minutes prior to their pitch.
Recognition of Winners:
- The winners will be announced at the conclusion of the competition.
For more information email Mrs. Lynn Stillwaggon, Program Manager or call ext. 1544.