1. Describe the technology and your strategy in terms of the problem your company is trying to solve.

2. Restrict your description of the market to 2 or 3 significant and well defined segments.

3. Show a deep understanding of your target audience.

4. Understand the VC or angels prior areas of investment and what succeeded. (Understand his/her hot buttons – pro and con.)

5. Arrive via referral. Don’t show up over the transom and expect to get any attention.

6. KEEP (AND REHERSE FOR CRISPNESS) TO YOUR PLAN AND DESCRIPTION. No more than 25 pages, 18 slides, and an executive summary that is no more than 2 pages.

7. You get one hour only for your pitch…that’s it. Watch the clock. Less is better.

8. Thoroughly research your competition and evaluate current competition courageously Don’t hedge on this…every start up has competition…you are no different; find yours and then knock it if you have to. Just be sure of your facts.

9. Get real about financial projections. Show off; investors want to hear about prospect/customer contacts who are willing to vouch for the products, the team, and, the company.

9a. Do not obsess on valuation. Valuation is very important — but don’t be penny wise and pound foolish about it. Give full credit to the value-add of the angel or professional investor. Be sure everyone gets a generous piece of a larger pie.

10. Understand potential exit strategies. (An IPO is only one of the possibilities. A strategic buyer might be more attractive than even an IPO to a VC or angel.)