Creating an effective pitch that wins over an investor is a difficult task – more so for life science start-ups: Being rarely profitable when they are just starting out, their pitches differ significantly from those of other sectors. What do emerging life science companies need to consider when preparing their pitch decks? How do they catch and also keep the investor’s attention? Read about the key elements to creating a successful pitch.
Sharpen your storyline and stand out from the competition
One of the first aspects to present is an executive summary of your company. It should briefly describe what you do, showcase your technology and what you are planning to achieve. Be short and very focused.
The following part of your presentation should focus on the technical side of things. Include some slides on interesting milestones of your company. Make sure to show off your unique selling point: What unmet needs are you targeting and how does your technology or approach stand out from the competition? Illustrate this by providing scientific data on the scale of the problem and how your technology is best at solving it. For example, use facts and figures to lay out the market you address with your technology or indication. Provide enough data to support your business case. But here too: Make sure you are brief and precise and focus on the relevant message. It is best to leave more complex explanations as a backup in case investors ask more detailed questions after the presentation.
Three keywords that investors pay particular attention to
- Intellectual Property: Don’t forget to discuss IP assets. This is an essential aspect for investors to consider potential uncertainties related to patent rights.
- Clinical development: Map out the timeline of your clinical pathway and focus on relevant milestones and associated costs. Investors want to be informed about the time and potential costs required to assess when an asset becomes viable on the market.
- Partnerships: If available, mention collaborations with existing or future partners. Strong partnerships can play a major role in convincing investors.
Time to let your team shine
Besides IP and products, the people involved are of great interest for investors. A strong team of managers and advisory board members with intriguing backgrounds and significant experience is critical not only to the success of your organization but also to convincing investors to put money into your company. Therefore, dedicate a brief but compelling moment of your pitch to highlight team members and their contribution to the company’s progress.
This aspect, as well as the other points listed above, form an important basis for the actual financing request. Here, you outline the required budget and timeframe of the investment.
Gain practice at conferences
One of the best ways to turn a pitch into a successful one is to put it to the test – for instance by attending conferences with a focus on fundraising. As an example, the Biotechgate Digital Partnering conference is designed to support the business development and licensing of life science companies and also attracts investors looking for investment opportunities. At this event, start-ups can pitch directly to potential partners or investors and even upload their presentation as a recorded video to the event’s media center. This way, you get to strengthen your network and at the same time boost the visibility of your business case.
Interested in joining Biotechgate Digital Partnering? Register here for free to attend our next event.