How you present an idea is can be as important as what you present. Learn how to engage your audience and promote your idea.
Successful biotechnology entrepreneurs have recommended the following tips for delivering a pitch:
- Be confident and well-prepared.
- Only give your audience facts you are sure of—don’t fake it. Potential investors are very bright and will pick up on it. Be prepared to answer questions on the details.
- Display passion and enthusiasm for your work.
- Show leadership ability, including good strategic thinking and an ability to inspire and execute.
- Tailor your pitch to the interests of each audience. Highlight the benefits for them if they support your idea. If they do not benefit directly, describe the benefits for a group they might care about.
- Many investors in the life sciences want to see data. You can provide a summary in your talk and offer to provide details if requested.
Source: Consolidated from interviews with several successful biotech entrepreneurs and recent industry blogs (see Pitch Resources).
Tips: On Communicating with Non-Scientists
Be sure to prepare your talk for an audience with diverse backgrounds. Consider how best to present science to an audience with some members not having a science background.
- Presenting to an audience with various backgrounds is challenging. It is best to find some common ground among the audience. Present it at the outset when you are describing the need for the product or service and return to the common ground periodically to keep everyone engaged.
- You can easily lose touch with some of the less technical audience as you describe the key technical ideas. Briefly explain them but don’t focus on them for too long. Find language all can understand.
- For investors, keep in mind that they are most interested in the bottom line.
References
B-BIC Skills Development Center. Presenting Your Science to a Diverse [Background] Audience. 2015.
B-BIC Skills Development Center. How should scientists communicate science to investors? (Video) Communication Skills Training Series (2015).
Tips: On Communicating with Non-Scientists
Be sure to prepare your talk for an audience with diverse backgrounds. Consider how best to present science to an audience with some members not having a science background.
- Presenting to an audience with various backgrounds is challenging. It is best to find some common ground among the audience. Present it at the outset when you are describing the need for the product or service and return to the common ground periodically to keep everyone engaged.
- You can easily lose touch with some of the less technical audience as you describe the key technical ideas. Briefly explain them but don’t focus on them for too long. Find language all can understand.
- For investors, keep in mind that they are most interested in the bottom line.
Resources/References
Presenting Your Science to a Diverse [Background] Audience and How should scientists communicate science to investors? – From Communications Skills Training Series, B-BIC Skills Development Center.
