It\u2019s not difficult to search the internet for entry-level information about creating a pitch deck for your business, but what happens after you deliver your pitch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venture capital or private equity investors provide funds to companies exhibiting high growth potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In exchange for the capital they provide, they receive equity stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Private investors take the investment risk expecting to earn a substantial return as companies succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After you deliver the perfect pitch to investors, the funding won\u2019t start following immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to prepare for a host of business meetings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pitch will only get you in the door, but the Pitch Master Academy also prepares you for what you\u2019ll need to have in place to secure funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It would be best if you kept the investors interested during your series of follow-up meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your first in-person meeting may not come easy – the first meeting is not where you will secure a final decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expecting a commitment during your first meeting can lead to frustration, feelings of rejection, and a sense of failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you finally lock in your first meeting, consider it a conservative first date \u2013 do not expect an initial commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you come across too strong, it\u2019s less than likely that investors will take you seriously enough to get a second date \u2013 and you\u2019ll need a second date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first meeting is somewhat of a screening process, typically with an investment firm associate \u2013 this meeting is analytical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s best to go to your initial meeting alone. If necessary, only bring one person and make that person a significant player in your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, you will be able to build a one-on-one rapport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, this will prevent the associate from having to process seemingly competing visions or conflicting answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First Date Rules<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the first meeting date goes well, you\u2019ll likely get a second meeting, but this time it will be with additional partners or associates of the investment firm or investor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This meeting is more complicated because you\u2019ll have to pass beyond the suspicions of multiple people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be prepared to repeat a lot of information you communicated during your one-on-one first date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, there will be no known content in the second meeting, only follow-up content, unanswered questions, and unfinished topics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on your feelings about the first meeting, you can prepare yourself for follow-up questions by asking yourself: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The third meeting is typically the diligence meeting, which takes place once the investors are comfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Experts at Pitch Masters Academy teach students how to prepare the perfect pitch and the strategies needed to ease through the series of meetings after that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a solid business plan is critical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scheduled diligence meetings allow analysts to ask detailed questions about all the numbers associated with your overall business plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Content for Analytical Questions During Diligence Meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to remember that the investors\u2019 responsibility is to dig deep for unforeseeable problems. The diligence process helps to discover pitfalls that may occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ambiguities may arise, but do not fret the process because they are not ordinarily deal breakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Full Partners Meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The full partners meeting is usually the final step during the courtship, and investors often apply pressure during this meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investors need to visualize the quality of your team and the potential of your business model. As a result, the best ventures will go through the wringer. It\u2019s your job to navigate the process professionally, don\u2019t get emotionally distracted, knowing that the ultimate result could lead to an influential and wealthy ally.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Get fully prepared so that your business can succeed after your first pitch. The series of meetings are likely to include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTHE SECOND MEETING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DILIGENTLY DIGGING DEEPER AFTER THE PITCH\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PITCH MASTERS ACADEMY MEETING MAP OUTLINE\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n