shutterstock_186054116According to the IVC-KPMG Israeli High-Tech Capital Raising Survey, 166 Israeli high-tech companies raised $994 million in the first quarter of 2015. With the average company’s financing round reaching $6 million, it is imperative for Israeli entrepreneurs to prepare investor presentations that will succeed in impressing potential investors.

Below is a list of 10 tips for investor presentations that was originally published on the firm’s Emerging Technology Views blog, and we are pleased to share it with the readers of the GT Israel Law Blog. 

Greenberg Traurig has an emerging growth program that advises entrepreneurs on the U.S. capital raising process, including investor presentations. The firm is uniquely situated to offer Israeli clients the immediate global reach of the firm’s international network, connecting Israel to major commercial centers throughout the world.  For more information, please reach out to me,  Beth Coehn, at cohenbe@gtlaw.com.

A Brief Guide to Investor Presentations

1.      Begin with a Compelling Introduction

  • Get investors excited
  • Include your strongest points to demonstrate credibility
  • Make sure they understand what you do

2.      Address Key Issues in a Clear and Convincing Way

  • The BIG problem your product will solve
  • What is unique about your product or service
  • Why your team is the most qualified to do this
  • How you will sell (or get to market)
  • Why you are better than the competition
  • How you will make the investors a bunch of money

3.      Checklist of Critical Areas to Address

  • The problem
  • Product or service
  • Marketing and sales
  • Competition
  • Milestones
  • Management team
  • Financials/projections

4.      Order – It Depends

  • Move strongest areas to front
  • Don’t leave your strengths until the end

5.      Sales, Sales, Sales

  • Tell investors how you will sell (or commercialize your technology)
  • Industry contacts
  • Channels
  • Strategic partners
  • Sales contracts
  • Letters of interest from potential customers
  • Beta customers
  • Pipeline/negotiations in progress

6.      Know Your Competition

  • Weaknesses
  • Why you are better
  • There is always competition
  • Indirect, potential, substitute or alternatives

7.      Management Team

  • Demonstrate technical and business know-how
  • Show how past credentials support current business
  • Advisory Board – Use for credibility

8.      Milestones Demonstrate Your Accomplishments

  • Accomplishments to date
  • Future milestones

9.      Financials/Projections

  • Use defensible assumptions and keep it simple
  • Example: Revenue projections must be based on realistic sales assumptions

10.  Mistakes to Avoid

  • Too much time on technology
  • Not enough time on benefits and problem to be solved
  • Confusing graphs and charts
  • Too much information on the slide
  • Do not read the slides

Remember – The investors are NOT buying your product, but rather investing in a financial opportunity. They need to know how they will make money. Good luck!