So, you’ve decided that you are ready to conduct a business presentation in front of actual investors (not just family and friends). We’ll lets get you trained up so you don’t embarrass yourself.
The first thing you should know is that you should have access to the small business startup platform which we provide here at CanadaStartups. To get your access click here.
Why?
GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH GRANTS & LOANS
Learn about the funding available for your small business. It just takes a second!
Well once you have access to the platform, you will have access to 3 very valuable tools.
The first will be the Business Plan Builder Tool. With this tool you would be able to develop a business plan from scratch and in no time have a professional looking plan which you can use to help you obtain funding from various funding sources, not to mention being able to use the business plan as a road map to success for your small business.
A typical business plan writing agency would charge anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 to develop your plan for you - or you can do it yourself using the Business Plan Builder Tool.
The second valuable tool which you get when you have our platform is the Investor PitchDeck. You can use the pitch deck to develop your very own presentation which summarizes all of the main components from your business plan. Use this tool to actually present to investors whether face to face or online.
You can’t really put a value for a service like the PitchDeck as a quality presentation could mean the difference between you obtaining funding for your business, or not.
The next big valuable tool which you get access to is the Funding Database. This one is one of my favorites and in my opinion the most valuable one.
When you have access to the funding database, you actually have access to over 1,500 funding sources which provide money to business owners and entrepreneurs. As of now, there are currently [total-grant-programs] grant programs, [total-loan-programs] loan programs, and [total-other-funding] assistance programs to apply to which are just offered by the Canadian government. In fact, there is approximately $[total-funding-available] available to apply to.
On top of that, your presentation would also be an excellent way to showcase your small business to private investors, which in the funding database there are approximately [total-investor-programs] different ones.
What is the value on that? Hmm…maybe a few months of research, failed applications and probably a few thousand dollars down.
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Now, if you opt-out of getting access to the small business startup platform (which you can get here) it is completely fine - but be sure to in your investor presentation follow the 12 recommended components to discuss. In other words (these are really slides of a presentation).
Step 1: Introduction
Who are you and why are you here? Keep your introduction slide short and sweet.
Step 2: Your Team
Show the people behind the scene and briefly describe their role (and any relevant history).
Step 3: The Problem
What is the problem you are trying to fix? Is it really a problem? (don’t get confused with thinking the problem is lack of funding)
Step 4: Your Advantages
What makes you (your business) special? How are you different from others?
Step 5: Your Answer
Describe how you plan on fighting the problem with a solution.
Step 6: Your Product/Service
Showcase the power of your products and services.
Step 7: Results So Far…
What evidence do you currently have that your product/service sells?
Step 8: The Market
Be sure to know, or at least be able to accurately predict the size of your target market.
Step 9: The Competition
Who else is doing what you are doing? How successful are they? What do they offer?
Step 10: Your Business Model
How will you make money? How much? By when? What if it doesn’t work?
Step 11: Investors Role
What do you need from the investors? Advice, Money, Support?
Step 12: Finishing Touches
Let the investor know you value their time. Personalize the closing statement.
Once you have these 12 recommended steps (or slides) of your presentation, practice them and memorize them.
Be sure to DO these in your presentation:
- Tell a story and engage the investors. Don’t let them just sit and listen.
- Follow each of the steps and only talk about that during that step. Don’t be all over the place.
- Be sure to make a great first impression.
- Show the people behind the company and their skills.
- Keep a consistent look in your presentation. Nothing to fancy or distracting.
- Know Your Business
And whatever you do, DON’T do these in your presentation:
- Don’t use too may bullet points
- Don’t make the presentation too long. 12 slides is max you should do!
- Don’t just read. Engage!
- Don’t forget to add some graphics, charts..etc
- Don’t use small fonts and make your presentation hard to see and read
- Don’t Come Unprepared
Well I believe you have what you need.
Be sure to thank us when you are successful in obtaining funding using the PitchDeck 12 Steps.