PREPARATION FOR PITCH COMPETITION

🎀 Session 12: Pitch Practice & Competition Readiness

πŸ” 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.


🧠 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.

πŸ“ 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 1–3 Slides or Visual Aids (optional, depending on format)

πŸ“„ 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

πŸ“š Additional Resources


πŸ’‘ 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.

Session Info to Join online or by phone:

Bamberg Class
Tuesdays Sept 2 – Nov 18, 6-9pm
In-person: Voorhees University Campus, St. James Building Auditorium, Room #100
Online (note that you can only attend one class online if you wish to pitch): https://meet.google.com/ghc-skwu-wqe
Or dial: β€ͺ(US) +1 669-241-0987‬ PIN: β€ͺ196 841 051‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ghc-skwu-wqe?pin=8245468634363

Oconee Class
Tuesdays Sept 2 – Nov 18, 5-8pm
In-person: 552 Education Wy, Westminster, SC 29693
Online (note that you can only attend one class online if you wish to pitch):Β Propel Business Lab: https://meet.google.com/xef-aqum-vct
Or dial: β€ͺ(US) +1 928-793-9348‬ PIN: β€ͺ227 314 791‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/xef-aqum-vct?pin=3236025371962