Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum
...The Bay Area's Premier Networking Opportunity
Make Your Pitch!
Have a great idea that needs funding
. . . a new company that needs that special person?
Be a “number” at the UC Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum!
“The Numbers” is the Forum’s special name for those four or five people who make their “elevator pitch”, named after a window of opportunity one might get when taking an elevator with a potential prospect (especially in Silicon Valley).
“The Numbers” occur at the beginning of each program. Each speaker has 60-90 seconds to present their company and their need. Are you looking for help in building your company: funding, personnel, team members to enter the business plan competition, or maybe a student intern? Consider asking to be a number. Pitch to 150 people instead of 10-15 (maximum density of most elevators).
Here’s an easy 5-point plan to construct your “pitch":
- Have a SMALL placard or sign with your company name that you can hold chest level as you speak.
- State what problem you plan to solve in one sentence
- State what your solution is to that problem – one sentence again.
- State your ”ask” in precise terms.
- Provide contact information so that interested parties can reach you.
Some helpful hints:
- Write out your pitch ahead of time. Practice it .
- Remember – you’re selling your company – not your product. Concentrate on the business opportunity.
- Grabbing attention is a technique that is rarely used but highly effective in getting the audience to remember you. An example: A man screams and yells at his partner, later the audience learns that he’s pitching for a medicine that aim to cure mental illness.
- Speak clearly and forcibly with confidence. Many presenters speak with a soft voice, some even mumble their words. Speak with PASSION!
- As mentioned above, state the problems and benefits concisely. A brief statement about your company is needed, but focus on where the need for your company is, and clearly and concisely state how your services fulfill these needs.
- Distinguish yourself. State in clear terms how you are different from your competition, why someone would want to invest in you.
- Use a memory hook. For example: “We sell God.” (Used during a pitch for investment in building temples on an island). “Ask for More—ask Pepsi. Ask for more returns—ask eOneNet.” (Pitched in ’99 during Pepsi’s “Ask for more” campaign).
- Call for action. Offer to meet the prospects, pass them your name cards, executive summary, etc.
- Finish it in two minutes sharp. Prepare and practice to make sure that you finish in no more than two minutes, or slightly less than two minutes. Many pitchers can’t finish what they want to say in the allotted time.
- Develop a good elevator pitch. The key to developing a good elevator pitch is to practice, practice, practice. Attend as many forums as possible to witness others undergoing the process!
If you have questions or feel that you are qualified and ready to be a number for the next forum please contact: Victoria Fowler at 510-642-4255. Please note you are only allowed to pitch your company once per semester, so make sure it’s polished before you get up on stage.
