Help with Raising Capital

Great starter deck from major VC firm

I've pitched for venture capital before and I appreciated a sample pitch deck a colleague sent me ahead of time. I've since helped others prep for their pitch sessions and most of the time, it helps.

If you're going to pitch for venture monies, at least check out this slideshow that Canaan Partners put on their website. Structurally, it's right on the money.

But, here's some advice that's not on their site. Specifically, you'll have trouble pitching if:

- you get easily distracted. If a VC asks you a simple question about your technology, do not go off on a 30 minute tangent discussing why your SOA architecture stack is superior. No one cares.

- you like to tell people what you're interested in talking about instead of discussing with them the things they want to know. 'nuf said

- you read every word on your slides to the audience. I'll bet that everyone you're pitching to has a college degree or two. Trust me, they can read. So, you shouldn't read for them. Instead, cut out the verbiage from the slides and focus on the story/message you really need to get across.

- you speak in three-letter-acronyms. No one knows what every TLA stands for and you're usage of them doesn't impress anyone. If the VCs don't understand you, they know that prospective customers will never get you either. No sale here.

- you aren't professional. Try wearing a tie, lay off the swear words and polish those shoes. When you're asking someone to give you a few million, is it that hard to show a little respect?

Good luck pitching.