How to pitch investors

Start with a Hook

Open with an attention-grabbing statement or question. This could be a statistic, a compelling problem, or a story that connects emotionally to your audience. You want to immediately engage the investor’s curiosity.

Example:

"Did you know that over 60% of people report feeling unsatisfied with their current personal finance management? With the rise of digital tools, people are still struggling to track their spending and save money effectively. That’s why we’ve built [Your Company Name], an intuitive app designed to revolutionize how everyday people manage their finances."

2. Define the Problem (100-150 words)

Investors want to know that there’s a real and significant problem that your product or service solves. Be specific about the pain points that your target customers face.

Example:

“Most personal finance apps are either too complex or lack personalization, making them ineffective for most users. They fail to address the financial struggles of people who are new to budgeting or those who don’t have the time to track every expense. This results in a gap in the market: a user-friendly app that helps people improve their financial habits without overwhelming them.”

3. Present Your Solution (100-150 words)

Describe how your product or service solves the problem. Highlight what makes your solution unique, innovative, and better than existing alternatives. Mention any technology, methodology, or research that backs your solution.

Example:

"Our app, [App Name], simplifies personal finance management by combining real-time expense tracking with actionable tips tailored to each user's spending habits. We use AI to analyze spending patterns and create custom savings plans, all within a beautiful and user-friendly interface. With features like automated bill reminders, expense categories, and goal tracking, we make managing money less stressful and more achievable for the average person. Unlike other apps, [App Name] is designed for simplicity without sacrificing powerful financial insights."

4. Market Opportunity (100-150 words)

Investors want to know how big the market is for your product. Provide data to back up the demand for your solution. Mention market trends, growth projections, and any unique insights that show there’s significant potential for success.

Example:

"The global personal finance management market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, with a CAGR of 12% from 2022. Over 40% of U.S. adults use personal finance apps, yet 70% still struggle with budgeting. We’re targeting the 80 million millennials in the U.S., a demographic that spends an average of $1,200 per month on non-essential expenses. With the increasing need for financial literacy and the shift toward digital tools, the opportunity to disrupt this market is immense."

5. Business Model (100-150 words)

Explain how your company will make money. Investors need to see a clear path to profitability. Describe your pricing structure, sales channels, and any potential for recurring revenue.

Example:

"[Your Company Name] uses a freemium model. Our basic app is free, giving users access to expense tracking, budgeting tools, and bill reminders. For $5/month, users can upgrade to the premium version, which offers personalized financial advice, detailed reports, and advanced savings goals. We also plan to partner with banks to offer white-label versions of the app. As we scale, our recurring revenue model will provide steady cash flow, and additional partnerships with financial institutions will open up further revenue streams."

6. Traction & Validation (100-150 words)

Show investors that there’s proof of demand or early success. This can be user growth, revenue numbers, partnerships, press coverage, or anything that demonstrates momentum.

Example:

"In just six months, we’ve onboarded 50,000 active users and have a 30% monthly retention rate. Our app has been featured in top finance blogs, and we recently closed a strategic partnership with [Big Bank], which will help us scale to millions of users. We’ve also received positive feedback, with 90% of our users rating the app 4.5 stars or higher. Our monthly revenue has grown by 40% over the past quarter, and we expect to reach $1 million in ARR by the end of this year."

7. The Team (50-100 words)

Investors back teams as much as they back ideas. Highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications of your team members, especially if they have a track record of success.

Example:

"Our team is led by [Founder Name], a former investment banker who has worked in fintech for over 10 years. [Co-Founder Name], our CTO, is an ex-Google engineer who has developed multiple successful fintech apps. Together, our team combines expertise in finance, technology, and user experience, ensuring we’re well-positioned to execute on our vision."

8. Ask for the Investment (50-100 words)

End your pitch by clearly stating how much money you’re raising and how you plan to use the funds. This is where you make the case for why investing in your business will yield a strong return.

Example:

"We are seeking $2 million in seed funding to scale our marketing efforts, expand our engineering team, and accelerate product development. With this funding, we plan to expand to new markets and introduce new features, ultimately positioning [Your Company Name] as the leading app for personal finance management. We project a 5x return on investment within the next three years."

Conclusion (50 words)

Wrap up your pitch with a quick reminder of your value proposition and invite the investor to engage further.

Example:

“[Your Company Name] is solving a pressing problem in the personal finance space, with a proven product and a strong growth trajectory.