Let’s cut to the chase. When you pitch, you’ve got 10-15 minutes to make it or break it. In those precious moments, you’re either getting a green light or being shown the door. I’ve sat through hundreds of these pitches. I know the game, and I know why startups win or lose. Here’s why I might shut you down — and what you can do about it.
1. Your Idea is Just Another Me-Too Knockoff
Listen, the world doesn’t need another generic clone of something that’s already out there. I don’t care if you’re pitching the “Uber of X” or the “next Facebook for Y.” Investors are looking for ideas that break the mold, not a reheated copycat that’s already been done. If you can’t show me what’s truly novel, you’re wasting everyone’s time. Give me something that hits me in the gut, something I haven’t seen before. No uniqueness, no deal — it’s that simple.
2. You Don’t Have a Concrete Plan (Just Dreams and a Wish)
You’ve got a big vision? Great. But vision alone won’t cut it. You need to show me exactly how you’re going to pull this off. What are the first steps? What obstacles have you already thought through? What’s the timeline? Don’t just give me the “change the world” fluff; give me the nuts and bolts. If you can’t walk me through a clear, executable action plan, I’m out. Execution is everything — and if you haven’t figured that part out, you’re not ready for my money.
3. You Haven’t Nailed Down Your Value Proposition
Even if your idea is original and you’ve got a plan, you still need a rock-solid value proposition. I see this all the time: founders pitching a product that doesn’t actually solve a real problem or isn’t ready for the market yet. You need to know exactly who’s going to buy your product and why they’d be crazy not to. If you can’t answer that question in one sentence, you’re not ready. And if the product isn’t ready to deliver real value, why should I believe it’s going to sell?
4. You Can’t Show Me How This Scales
Look, I’m not here for a lifestyle business. Small businesses are nice, but I’m hunting for scale. I want to see that your idea can go big, capture new markets, and generate real growth. If you don’t have a plan for scaling, or if you’re content with staying small, you’re not what I’m looking for. I need to see a path for how this turns into a big win — if you can’t paint that picture, I’m moving on.
5. You’ve Got No Proof to Back Up Your Story
Talk is cheap. I need proof. Show me early traction, customer feedback, real revenue — anything that proves you’re not just full of hot air. The best pitches I’ve seen come with hard data and real-world validation. If you can’t give me something tangible to show that this idea has legs, I’m not taking the risk. Results matter. Without them, your pitch is just noise.
Bottom Line: Earn the Yes
Pitching is your one shot to convince me that you’ve got something worth investing in. Don’t waste it. Make sure your idea stands out, your action plan is solid, your value proposition is airtight, there’s a path to scale, and you’ve got real-world proof to back it all up. Do that, and you might just get my attention. If not, don’t be surprised when I say, “Next.”