Pitching for investment in London? Consider these top tips
London is the UK’s premier business and financial hub, attracting a wide range of entrepreneurs and professionals every day. It’s home to some of the largest financial institutions in the world and is a centre for investment opportunities. If you’re starting a business, chances are you’re exploring investment options to get you up and running. If London is where you’re heading to pitch your idea, it can be daunting – particularly if you’re not used to being in and around the big city environment. In this guide, we’ll give you some points to help you prepare for the big day.
Know your audience
With any presentation or pitch, you need to entirely understand who your audience is. This will ensure that you can tailor your offering to give yourself the best chance of success. Identify which aspects of the business plan they will want to scrutinise and which elements will attract them to the investment the most – then prepare your materials to highlight these key areas.
Find the right presentation style
There are a number of presentation styles that you can make use of to showcase your business plan in the best light possible. You need to figure out which format suits your offering, whether it be visually driven with physical handouts or product samples, or verbally driven with less reliance on slides and more on your own presentation skills. The key is to choose the style that highlights your strengths as much as possible – whether you are the strength or your idea is.
Practice in and out of your comfort zone
A well-prepared and practised pitch is much more likely to strike a chord with an investor because it gives them faith that any future efforts will receive the same care and attention. Start to practice your presentation in your comfort zone, whether it be at home or in your office space, before taking your preparation outside of your comfort zone. Pitch to colleagues, friends or even strangers to prepare yourself for what is to come. The more exposure you give yourself before the real deal, the less nervous you are likely to be.
Familiarise yourself with the city
Pitching in London is a completely different experience from anywhere else in the UK. The hustle and bustle of the big city can take a bit of getting used to, so spend some time in the capital to familiarise yourself before you have to pitch to investors. Spend a few nights in a serviced apartment in London and work out your journey to and from the meeting location so you aren’t rushing on the day. You can do your final preparations at your accommodation before heading to the venue.
These are just a few tips to help you prepare for your investment pitch in London. Try to enjoy the process as much as you can because this will come across to prospective investors. Good luck!
