PREPARATION FOR PITCH COMPETITION

๐ŸŽค Session 12: Pitch Practice & Competition Readiness

๐Ÿ” Overview

This final session prepares participants for the upcoming pitch competition. Entrepreneurs will practice and refine their 3-minute business pitches, focusing on clarity, confidence, and communication. With feedback from peers and coaches, each participant will walk away with a polished pitch and increased public speaking confidence.


๐Ÿง  Learning Objectives

  • Structure a 3-Minute Business Pitch: Present your problem, solution, market, model, and impact succinctly.
  • Communicate with Confidence: Learn how to manage nerves and deliver with clarity and passion.
  • Get and Use Feedback Effectively: Receive structured critiques from peers and mentors to improve delivery.
  • Finalize Pitch Deck or Talking Points: Confirm key visual aids and data points to support your pitch.

๐Ÿ“ Pre-Session Assignments

  1. Write a Draft of Your 3-Minute Pitch
  2. Practice Delivering It Aloud at Least 3 Times (recording yourself if possible)
  3. Prepare 1โ€“3 Slides or Visual Aids (optional, depending on format)

๐Ÿ“„ Business Plan Focus

Tie together your entire business plan by focusing on how to communicate it clearly:

  • Who you are
  • What problem you solve
  • What your solution is
  • Why now / Why you
  • What you need (grant funding, support, etc.)
  • What impact your business will have

๐Ÿ“š Additional Resources


๐Ÿ’ก In-Class Activity

  • Practice Round: Each participant presents their 3-minute pitch.
  • Feedback Circle: Peers and coaches give constructive comments.
  • Revision Time: Make final edits and re-pitch if time allows.
  • Closing Remarks: Celebrate progress and share reminders about pitch competition day.
  • Anonymous Advise for Propel Organizers- Take a moment and let us know how we can improve: https://forms.gle/Gz1a2UxQXLCA3g3p8

GET INSPIRED BY ANOTHER FOUNDER’S STORY!

In this episode of How I Built This, Tony Xu shares how he co-founded DoorDash, transforming a simple idea into a multibillion-dollar food delivery service. Xu discusses the importance of clearly articulating his vision to investors and stakeholders, emphasizing how a well-crafted elevator pitch was crucial in the early stages of fundraising and business development. His journey underscores the significance of concise and compelling communication in securing support and scaling a startup.