Pitch forth your best foot with 41 investors at TIA Tokyo 2016

A startup pitching his idea to investors at Tech in Asia Tokyo 2015.

Any startup who’s been through a pitch session to potential investors can attest to how stressful these occasions can get. Amidst all the tensions running at fever pitch, it’s easy to forget that the word ‘pitch’ can have connotations other than “to attempt to sell or win approval for” (source: Dictionary.com).

So what relevance do these other meanings have for an up-and-coming tech startup? Plenty, it turns out.

Ahead of the next Startup-Investor Speed Dating session at Tech in Asia Tokyo 2016, here are a few pun-tastic words of advice to help you get those pitching muscles up to snuff.

1. It doesn’t have to be pitch-perfect

Yes, you read that right. While rehearsing repeatedly to ensure that you don’t trip over your words is essential, hitting all the right notes isn’t a necessary prerequisite for success. If anything, speeches rehearsed to perfection often come across as stilted and stiff. What’s more important is letting your passion and self-belief shine through. No investor is going to dismiss you just because you garble a phrase or two.

2. Pitch the ball to the correct batter

A baseball pitcher needs strength as well as accuracy. No use throwing the ball with all your might, but to the wrong person. The same logic applies for pitching your startup. Many investors will be present at the Speed Dating session, but not all of them will find your company relevant to their interests or needs. Do your research beforehand, and come prepared to seek out the investors that your startup can potentially be of most value to.

3. Don’t pitch headlong into a fall

As the person working behind your own startup, there’s no one more familiar with the strengths and flaws of your business than yourself, or your team. No one is asking you to expose them outright, but be aware of your startup’s weak points, and prepare to explain what you are, or will be doing to address the issue. That way, you can save yourself from falling into a hole of your own devising.

4. Everyone has to pitch in

More likely than not, your team has assigned a designated team member to do most, if not all, of the talking. That’s well and good, but have at least two team members during the session, and don’t shy away from the limelight even if you’re not the main person pitching your business idea. Discuss beforehand how you can best back your primary speaker up, whether it’s by offering a timely prompt or by answering queries related to a particular component of your startup. Presenting a united front can only be to your benefit.

Feeling confident?

Then join us at #tiatokyo2016 on September 6 and 7. 41 investors (and counting!) from around the world have already confirmed their participation:

All you need to gain precious face-time with the above investors is a valid conference pass, and those are currently going at 15 percent off! Simply key in the code tiatokyo15 with your purchase, anytime from now until July 29.

See you there!