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
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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
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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 team’s company partner or other customers
• Why the customers care
Slide 3 – The Solution
• How you solve the problem for the
customer’s 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?
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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 don’t 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)
• It’s about the business, not the
technology
– That’s 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).