Successful Investor Presentations

Bill Warner Thursday, January 14, 2010

One of the leading angel investor organizations in the United States is the Tech Coast Angels in California. They have some great advice on how to put an investor presentation together on slideshare.

The seven P’s

They simplify this process into seven concise steps that hit at the heart of what an investor presentation needs to be about:

  • Pitch – answering the question, “who are you and why should we care?” The importance of this bold introduction is to get the investor’s attention right away by telling them why they need to pay attention.
  • People – convincing investors that there is a management team that can really deliver what they are committing. Having this right up front emphasizes how important the management team is to investors.
  • Pain – explaining how compelling the industry problem or opportunity is to the potential customer. If the “pain” isn’t high, the investor’s interest will be low.
  • Product – describing the innovative and differentiated solution to the customer pain, getting across the high barriers to entry and its demonstrable readiness for market.
  • Players – showing that your product is the best in the industry while bringing to life how you will actually win against all competitors.
  • Projections – illustrating how you will make money and that you have a thoughtful picture of the financial dynamics of your business.
  • Proposition – introducing to investors what you are proposing be the investment deal showing that you have a specific view of who the money will be used and how the investors will be rewarded.

There are many other sources of information on the internet, but here is one on how to put together a structured business plan presentation that is often used with investors here in the Research Triangle Park.

Wrap it up

In closing, give an investor highlights summary explaining again why they should be interested, and then open up for their questions. You need to be ready to answer a wide range of questions about your business. Practice these because it is going to be your chance to show that you really understand your business and will be the clincher for gaining investor confidence.

Be sure to practice

Entrepreneurs need to be very well practiced in making these presentations and handling investor questions. Often you will only get one chance at this. If you do well, others will know. If you don’t, others will know. Go into these sessions loaded for bear having had a chance to practice on the firing range.

Filed Under: Angel Investment, Financing a Company, Starting a Business



Bill Warner is the Managing Partner of Paladin and Associates, a business consulting firm in the Research Triangle Park area of central North Carolina, and is the Chairman of the Triangle Accredited Capital Forum, an angel investor network with over one hundred members throughout the southeast.

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