Wisconsin Investment Partners 15-minute presentation template.
Use this as a guide when creating your business presentation for early-stage investors. Each slide has a recommended amount of time to spend on it; there is a built in two-minute buffer in the presentation. Not all slides may fit your business model while others may need to be expanded to best communicate the business and strategy.
Suggestions/comments are included on several slides. Remember to delete comments, time estimates and other misc items.
Presentation suggestions:
Not
all slides may be applicable to your business model.
Keep
in mind the time allotments for each section, don’t over/under emphasize key points of the business. Many entrepreneurs spend too much time explaining their technology, science or product and not enough time explaining how they will make money.
slides simple and uncluttered, use as few words as possible—just bullet point the general idea you are addressing, leaving the in-depth explanation to the presenter.
The Keep
main goal of the presentation is to communicate your vision and strategy enough to capture the investors’ attention and interest. There will be a number of follow-up meetings and information requests, but only if the investors are first excited and motivated by you, the business and strategy.
Company Name/Logo
Short Positioning Statement
Your Name Title
Give the audience a short explanation of the company’s main objective and who you are. Only include a ―positioning statement‖ if it is very short, 3-5 words.
<15 seconds>
Business Overview and Strategy
What do you do - what is your product/service/technology/science? What makes it different? What problem(s) are you solving? Give a road map of the business: we’re here now and are going in this direction.
By end of slide your audience should know what you are selling and why people will buy it. Do not go into a lot of detail—this is a ―bite-sized‖ overview. Keep in mind that you are setting the stage for the rest of the presentation.
<30 seconds>
“Business LogoTM”
The Market – Our Solution
Description
of Current Market, Customer Needs
Problem to Be Solved, what is creating the demand for your solution
Key
How will the customer use your solution What is the economic benefit your offering delivers? Describe the customers’ needs for your product/service. What is the ―problem‖ with the market as it is and how are you fixing that problem. Be clear and concise, this is a critical part of your business proposition and must grab an investor’s attention. Give just enough of an overview to build up to the next slide, which describes the Product/Service. This will give the investor-audience a general understanding of the market and why the product was created.
<90 seconds>
Feature – Solution to Problem
“Business LogoTM”
Product/Service
Product/Service Description 1
Product/Service Description 2 (if needed) …
What is the product/service Key Feature – Value Proposition Science and technology behind the product/service Defensibility: IP protection/Patents, Barriers to entry
Describe your product/service; what is your customer buying? Focus on what attributes make your product/service better and different than alternatives, even if there is not a direct comparable product/service. Defensibility may require its own slide. Many entrepreneurs focus too long on the product, especially if it is a technology or based on scientific data. Keep the science and technology light and easy—most investors are not PhD’s and will lose interest if the presentation gets too technical.
<2 minutes>
“Business LogoTM”
Market Opportunity
Target customer profile
Market size
Describe the targeted customers Quantify the target market through sizing the servable market by applying the above profile to the relevant market/segments If the market will be growing/expanding, explain
Explain the size of the market that you are targeting. Remember to build your credibility – how do you know the market? Take care not to erode your credibility by overstating the market. Use good sources of information and statistics, such as trade organizations and marketing studies. Describe how your product/service fits into the market and what share of the market you will capture from launch through the first several years of business. If necessary, segment the market. Segmenting the market means you identify the specific portion of the market that contains those buyers that meet your targeted customer profile. If you have multiple market segments or targeted customers, repeat this slide as necessary.
<90 seconds>
“Business LogoTM”
Sales Model
Distribution Channels
Channel 1 to market Channel 2 to market (if needed) … What are the general steps in the sales process How long does it take
Sales cycle
Describe how these channels successfully get your product into the hands of your customers—if necessary, describe for each segment. If possible/helpful, include an illustration How long is the sales cycle for your product(s)—being able to describe the sales cycle emphasizes your understanding of making the sale. <45 seconds>
“Business LogoTM”
You vs. the Competition
Product 1
Product 2 (if needed) …
Your competitive advantage Competitors Competition’s response
Explain why your product(s) will succeed in the market place. What is your competitive advantage? List your competition; if numerous pick the top companies you compete against. Explain their products, market share, and how each one does not meet the needs that your product does—hit the same points as those for existing market alternatives in the ―Product or Service Description‖ that explained why your product/service is better than these alternatives. How will your competitors react to your entering the market? Your competition might not be obvious, such as supplemental products or customer inaction.
<1 minute>
“Business LogoTM”
Management Team
Existing team and relevant experiences
Include business and start-up experience
Gaps in team experience and how being filled
Many investors believe the management team is more important than the technology/product or the market opportunity. Explain how the management team’s experience and expertise is key to the company’s success. This slide can be moved to the front of the presentation, explain how the team’s experiences are relevant to the company and its strategy.
<1 minute>
“Business LogoTM”
Advisors/Professionals
Advisory Board (or Board of Directors)
Short Description of Positions and Industry Experience
Attorney Accountant Banker
<30 seconds>
Professional Team
“Business LogoTM”
Milestones accomplished
Past Milestone 1 Past Milestone 2 …
What have you accomplished so far? Brag a bit if you can— this could be stages of product development, major or pending sales, completing regulatory requirements, etc. The next slide covers the $ you are asking for, try to build up momentum for the ―ask‖ by showing the company has already accomplished some goals.
<30 seconds>
“Business LogoTM”
Financing
Funding Sought - $X
Use of Funds 1 Use of Funds 2 …
Explain in general terms what the funding will be used for, examples are: sales and marketing, inventory, R&D, general and administrative, regulatory requirements, etc.
<30 seconds>
“Business LogoTM”
Milestones after Funding
Development Plan
Critical Success Factors
Milestone 1 Detail Milestone 2 Detail ...
Critical Success Factor 1 What must happen for MS1 Critical Success Factor 2 What must happen for MS1 …
What progress will investors see for their investment? What must go right to be successful? If this financing round gets you to cash flow positive, mention that as a milestone or in conjunction with a milestone. Are there any contingency plans if a Critical Success Factor does not happen?
<1 minute>
“Business LogoTM”
Future Financing
Future Funding Round 1
Expected Valuation
Future Funding Round 2
Expected Valuation
Milestones that must be completed to achieve expected valuation in FFR1 Milestones that must be completed to achieve expected valuation in FFR2
Describe the projected funding rounds with the expected valuations. Include milestones that must be completed to achieve expected valuations. This will give investors a sense of value creation and if/how much dilution they should expect in future rounds. <