Pitching Your Startup to the Government
If you are looking to get assistance from the government in the form of funding or any other type of support for your startup, you will need to make a successful pitch. This tends to be quite a challenge to most entrepreneurs due to the bureaucratic nature of government agencies.
Below you will find a list of tips to help you in preparing to pitch your idea to the government.
Find Out the Specific Program or Agency
Government funding programs are usually created to offer services to specific industries in the economy. If you are interested in securing the same, it is important that you first find out exactly what the government program or agency you wish to pitch your idea to focuses on. This helps ensure that you do not waste your time pitching an idea to the wrong agency.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH GRANTS & LOANS
Learn about the funding available for your small business. It just takes a second!
Learn the Process
Once you identify the specific government program relating to the industry the business operates in, it is recommended that you get all the necessary information about the application process. Government agencies usually follow the regular bureaucratic process associated with all government procedures. As such, you will need to know how to go about it, as skipping any step may lead to disqualification.
Write a Brief
Whether you are looking to secure funding or any other form of support from the government through the pitch, it is important that you have a brief in hand. The brief should capture vital information about the idea you want to pitch to the agency, including the objectives, operations of the business, and vital performance data. It is important that you include the most accurate information in the brief, as government agency officials are bound to conduct their own appraisal of the business before approving your application.
List Objectives
Different government agencies and programs usually focus on businesses operating to meet specific objectives in line with the government agenda. As such, it is important for entrepreneurs to list the objectives of their business as well as the objectives of their pitch. Specify exactly what you are looking to gain from the pitch and how what you receive will be used.
Get Professional Help
Due to the complicated nature of government bureaucracy, it is recommended that entrepreneurs seek help from professionals who specialize in helping people prepare pitches for government agencies. These professionals have in-depth experience in making such applications to the correct agency while avoiding a variety of pitfalls along the way.