Pitch Presentation Template CRDF Global The GIST Initiative

Project Title
GIST
[City, Country] [Month, Year]

Team/Company Name

Notes (Do not include this slide)

Short: maximum 10 slides Few words on each slide
Use keywords and phrases, not whole sentences

Simple language (avoid technical terms) Diagrams, pictures, graphs when helpful Content only, avoid transitions/animations Use a professional look (font, background) Visually readable

Slide 1 - Summary
Introduce the project Why is it important Timeline and key milestones Expected business & financial results Funding requested (total amount)

Slide 2 The Business Problem

State the problem in business terms
Business problems: production, cost, competitiveness, product, service, delivery etc

Define the market opportunity

No. buyers in the first 18-24 months, value in sales

Name/identify target customers

May be teams company partner or other customers

Why the customers care

Slide 3 The Solution

How you solve the problem for the customers perspective The specific value in your proposition Specific benefits to the customer (non financial) Financial benefits (estimates) to the customer

Slide 4 Business Model

How will money be made or saved?
How will the science team earn income? How will the company team earn income? What is the margin, profit, or savings?

Is the company-partner the end-user? Manufacturer? Seller? How will the product/service be delivered to the customer(s)?
Will the product/service be sold through other companies or directly to end-users? Product or service? Sold by contract?

Slide 5 Technical Advantage

State the special or key aspect of technology in translated into common terms
What are the intellectual property plans (if any)? What stage of development is the technology currently in (again in common terms such as early, mid, late)? How much time and funding is needed to finish the technology?

THIS IS THE ONLY TECHNOLOGY SLIDE

Only the key technology element that relates directly to the key business advantage matters!

Slide 6 - Competition
What alternatives exist to your solution?
Including do nothing (low risk, cost estimate)

Who else is trying to solve the problem?

Current competitors and substitutes How large/profitable are they? Are they ahead or behind? Matrix of features and value

NEVER SAY There is no competition

Slide 7 Sales & Marketing

How will your team (or company partner) reach the customer? How long will each sale take to close (the sales cycle)? What is the role of 3rd party partners in marketing, distributing, and selling? Will you sell directly, through others, or both? How will your team inexpensively inform customers (promotion, advertising)?
By word of mouth, call them, advertise (where?, how much cost?)

Slide 8 The Team

(Company team) Experience in the industry with customers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers (Science team) Experience in technology field Management and operations
Company team: production, delivery Science team (when relevant): project management, technology development

Sales & marketing experience

Industry partners and resources

Outside partners needed

Okay if you dont have them yet; important to state gaps)

Slide 9 - Financials
Simple budget table for project Simple budget table for marketing & sales (if applicable) Key metrics
People, revenues, gross profit (margin), expenses, number of customers, average selling price, etc.

When (how fast) will you spend and earn money?

Slide 10 Road Map

(Where you have been and where you are going) Accomplishments to date Major accomplishments planned and when
Technology development Business (production, sales, marketing, distribution)

Always Remember (Do not include this slide)

Its about the business, not the technology
Thats why there is only 1 technology slide

Why does this project make business sense?

Business people are not commonly as technical as you. They may have a specialist check your technology. But otherwise, they want to know how your project will improve their business financially, for how much cost and when (return-on-investment).