Pitch smart: Entrepreneurs’ blueprint to winning investors
By Solomon Nartey Tetteh
An investor with Velocity Capital, Margaret Ntambi, has urged entrepreneurs to prioritize clarity, relevance, and thorough preparation when pitching their businesses to potential backers.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed FM, Ms. Ntambi outlined common pitfalls that hinder successful pitches and offered practical strategies to improve entrepreneurs’ chances of securing funding.
Ms. Ntambi pointed out that most investor meetings typically last no more than 30 minutes, emphasizing the importance of using the first 10 to 15 minutes to communicate the core of the business.
“What you do, who you serve, and why it matters now — those are the critical points you must convey in the first 60 seconds,” she said.
She cautioned entrepreneurs against sharing lengthy personal stories, instead encouraging them to keep their background information brief and relevant to the business idea. Tailoring the pitch to the investor’s background is also essential, particularly when dealing with global venture capitalists who may not be familiar with the local market context.
According to Ms. Ntambi, investors are not only interested in a startup’s market size and business model but also in its potential for regional expansion and scalability.
She said an ideal pitch should demonstrate clear traction, a well-thought-out growth plan, and strong internal motivation, especially given the challenges of operating within Africa’s dynamic business environment.
“A compelling pitch should highlight the problem, your unique solution, the size of the opportunity, and your ability as a founder to navigate challenges,” she noted.
Ms. Ntambi also underscored the importance of aligning with the right investors based on a company’s stage of growth. She advised early-stage founders to target incubators and accelerators, while those with proven traction should seek venture capital firms that align with their growth trajectory.
“If you’re raising $100,000 to cover 12 months of operations, and the first six months don’t go as planned, I want to know how you’ll adapt and make the remaining funds count. Adaptability and mental resilience are just as crucial as the business idea itself,” she explained.
Ms. Ntambi indicated that a weak presentation does not necessarily disqualify a promising entrepreneur.
“If you have the background and the right expertise, I can help you refine your pitch. A bad day or poor presentation doesn’t define your potential,” she added.
