How can you calm your nerves when pitching your startup?

1. Try to enjoy the process and reconnect with how your younger self would have been thrilled to even have the opportunity to play this game (let alone win it). Connect with how exciting it is that you have an idea worth pitching & that investors consider worth listening to. 2. Recall that almost all investors bring the same thing to the table ($$$ ... very few can add any value beyond this). You have something more differentiated than that. Don't place the investor on a pedestal. 3. The stakes are not as big as they seem. In 50 years, no one will remember you or the startup or the investor. It's like a video game with an illusion of reality. 4. Don't fight the nerves. Just feel the anxiety. It too will pass like the passing clouds.

When I am pitching I just take a moment and find the place where I don't doubt myself. Confidence and passion will speak volumes to your audience. It doesn't matter if you are pitching a product, funding, or for a customer contract. People will respond to authenticity and passion. Being a subject matter expert on what you are pitching is also a given.

Trust me it is fine to get nervous as long as you know what you are talking about and you have data to support it. These points might help you get ahead of those nerve struck moments - Prepare thoroughly: Know your pitch inside and out, practice it extensively. Visualize success: Imagine yourself delivering a confident and engaging pitch, and visualize positive outcomes. Focus on your audience: Connect with your audience, engage them with your passion. Embrace your passion and enthusiasm: Let your passion for your startup shine through, and convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Reframe nervousness as excitement: View your nervousness as a natural response to a high-stakes situation and use it to fuel your energy and enthusiasm.

It is important to be outcome independent. The goal is to pitch your best (something under your control) but to be outcome independent (this is out of your control). What makes most founders nervous is because they are desperate for the pitch to go well. But a founder should always have the attitude of "My startup will be fine with or without this investment". Sometimes, it might not be true, but you have to make yourself believe so.

The best way to calm nerves when pitching your startup is two-fold: 1. Practice 2. Put in the work “1” is obvious, but “2” is shockingly less common. The best leading indicators for startup success early are founder grit & determination. If you’re early, so much is going to evolve as your startup goes on. E.g. The problem you solve, your solution, your UVP, etc. Great investors know this. More than the idea, they’re investing in the person. They're investing in your relentlessness to figure it out. So when pitching, yes, check the main boxes – problem, solution, UVP, market size, etc. But most importantly, show why you’re the most qualified person to figure it out. Show why you just won’t stop until you do.

In my experience preparation is key. Get everything set up and then practice. Check and double check your tech and always have a printed version as a backup in case everything goes haywire. And really work on NOT reading the presentation. People want to be engaged by you and your main points, not read to. Put the main takeaways in your presentation and pictures or short video clips, that represent the point, and then you engage them with the rest. And most of all, realize they WANT to hear what you have to say. Allow that to build confidence in you.

The materials are key. You are selling the sizzle, a dream, an opportunity. They need to bring it to life. They should be as beautiful and simple as possible. Less is more, have few words and talk to pictures and graphs. If you put the whole script up, people will read it. If you have a picture or a word, people will look at and listen to you.

Eine gute Vorbereitung, üben und Feedback einholen ist der Schlüssel. Mit jedem Pitch wird man besser, routinierter und hat neue Ideen für die Pr?sentation.

When Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia pitched their startup, they faced skepticism. To deliver a compelling pitch, they connected with investors’ concerns. Chesky and Gebbia used professional photos and personal anecdotes to humanize their platform. By understanding investors’ need for trust and the potential for a sharing economy, they conveyed their vision effectively. This not only calmed their nerves but also secured early investments.

Keep it concise. No one wants to drown in a sea of slides. Highlight the essentials that make your startup stand out. If you're pitching a tech solution, have a demo ready to blow minds.

You should obsess with your Pitch and practice several times the day before and the hour before your Pitch. I've pitched to more than 500 investors and this has not changed. Your Pitch always evolves with your company, and your confidence, data and vision does too.

Author of The Pitch Deck Book Practice and structure, but mostly practice. Your pitch is just a conversation. In my book a show how you are basically just answer a question that is being "asked". Why are you here? Oh to raise $1M. Cool... What problem are you tackling?... Oh this one. So what is the solution? It is this. Any questions? It is a simple dialog. That helps the best!

A great way to practice before your friends and acquaintances, and also, if you have advisors, ask them for feedback. The feeling of nervousness will pass when you are confident in what you are saying and know that you can answer any question. Therefore, when testing with acquaintances, ask them to ask you uncomfortable questions to "level up" your responses.

When it says practice, it really means PRACTICE! Do it over and over again: to yourself in your car, to your grandmother on the phone, to your kids, to your pets, to your colleagues. The goal is to practice so much you can do it in your sleep. People often think this advice means their pitch will start to sound memorized and robotic. You don't have to practice the exact same words over and over again. Instead, practice hitting your main point for each slide without a set script. That way you keep it authentic instead of robotic.

Prioritize pitch practice to refine delivery and bolster confidence. Experiment with diverse settings – mirror, camera, or friends – to identify strengths and weaknesses. Hone voice, body language, and timing for a natural, confident presentation. Solicit feedback from mentors, peers, or experts to enhance your pitch. Emphasize informal rehearsals before investor presentations to ensure readiness and effectiveness.

Das Gefühl von Lampenfieber und Vorfreude sind die gleichen, da die gleichen Areale im Gehirn angesprochen sind. Das hei?t man kann sich selbst einreden, dass man nicht nerv?s ist sondern sich in Wirklichkeit auf den Pitch freut. Ich schlie?e gerne die Augen versuche tief durchzuatmen und stelle mir vor, dass ich nicht nerv?s bin, sondern mich auf den pitch freue.

When it comes to building your personal brand as a startup founder or leader, it's all about managing your energy and mindset. Before a pitch, pump yourself up with a feel-good playlist and get into the right headspace—you're in control of the energy you bring to the room. Remember, you wouldn't have gotten that pitch invite if you weren't qualified, so trust in your abilities and own your expertise. And after the pitch, don't forget to celebrate every milestone along your journey—win or lose, putting yourself out there is worth acknowledging and celebrating. You've got this! ??

Instead of viewing your nervousness as your enemy, view it as your friend. The nervousness allows you to be at your peak performance. I try to fully embrace my pounding heart and butterflies in my stomach by imagining they represent little warriors that support me and make me stronger for the task at hand.

1. Mind & Body Relaxation: Breathe deeply, stretch, meditate, or visualize success. 2. Avoid Stimulants: Skip caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, opt for water. 3. Positive Mindset: Listen to calm music, read inspiring quotes. 4. Confident Delivery: Smile, make eye contact, use natural gestures.

As a certified Yoga and mindfulness teacher I am obviously all about refining our ability to regulate our nervous system - but here is another perspective! Being nervous and aroused means that you care about something. How wonderful is this? So, in the words of neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, why not make your butterflies fly in formation, and invite all the emotions that are part of your ride as a founder?

Investors buy in to people. Your passion and performance is their biggest indicator of whether you are that right person. You need to bring your personality out. If they dont like you, they might not be the right investor, remember, this is a two way street. The other thing investors want is a great company. Sell your purpose and your mission, why your company is going to change the world and how they cant miss out.

When pitching your startup, calm nerves by focusing on your mission to share your vision rather than worrying about perfection. Connect with your purpose in bringing this idea to life. Thoroughly prepare your content so you feel confident in your expertise. Breathe deeply before going on stage to dissipate anxiety and channel excitement. Avoid memorizing every word, stay present and make natural eye contact. Remember investors want you to succeed - they are on your side. If you stumble briefly, pause, reground yourself in the moment and continue. Your passion will shine through authentic engagement.

People want to hear and learn from people; they care about your personal story, your vision, mission and your reason for building this business. Leaning into your "why" keeps you centred and focussed on the task at hand, and will help you connect with and inspire the audience.

Steve Jobs once said, "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work." This advice is particularly relevant when it comes to pitching your startup. To calm your nerves and effectively connect with your audience, infuse your pitch with genuine enthusiasm and unwavering belief in your venture's value. This authenticity not only reassures you but also resonates with your audience, increasing the chances of them embracing your vision. Remember, passion inspires and influences, making it a vital element of a successful pitch. So, as you prepare to present your startup, take Jobs' wisdom to heart and let your passion shine through your pitch.

One of the most important sentences I have heard in my journey in the startup world was this one by Courtlandt Butts at a workshop at Stanford University's d.school: "You are the perfect design for the change you want to see in the world!" Maybe, you are ready to win the pitch you are presenting for right now. Maybe, you are not ready yet. The most important thing is showing up, learning about your strengths and weaknesses, and having a clear vision of the person you want to become. Every presentation is an opportunity to refine this version of you! Trust in the reasons that made you start this journey.

If you love what you do, if you believe in your idea, if your heart tells you what to do, only then you will have the strength and courage to present and pitch any project to any audience without any doubt or hesitation

Ideally, as a founder, you should pitch every day, not only to investors and funds, but also to neighbours, friends, the trainer at the gym, the barista while he's pouring coffee. The more people you tell about your startup, the more versions of storytelling you will test and find your style. The main thing is to be true to yourself your style, and also to be sure that in 3 minutes you can tell everything you need to know about your startup in such a succinct and accessible way that even a fifth grader pupil could understand it.

Most of all, remember that your goal is to impress and building a relationship, not just to close the deal. Staying calm and learning from the process will serve you well as your startup grows

When pitching your startup, remember to stay cool and take in every moment. Don't worry if investors have questions or aren't sure about your idea at first. Trust in your vision. Every pitch is a new opportunity to improve how you present your idea. Keep practicing, adjust your pitch as needed, and you'll steadily move towards success!

No creo que los nervios logren calmarse totalmente, me parecen hasta sanos sentirlos. Pero lo que si considero que es una forma de mitigarlos, es validando todo, que no queden ni hipotesis ni espacios de conquista por validar, solamente con la intención de llegar al día de lanzamiendo conociendo a exactitud el estado del arte de tu startups. ?Qué podría pasar algo? ... claro, no se espera que el lanzamiendo sea perfecto, pero si que sea lo suficientemente ágil para mejorar pronto.

1. Prepare notes with key points and data to keep you on track, not the whole script: this ensures you connect with your audience in a natural way. 2. Be human: don’t let nerves erase your authentic personality - add your energy. 3. Sell to people: investors are humans, so focus on building a connection with them beyond the numbers. 4. Pitching wins from storytelling, as people are drawn to narratives. 5. Explain your concept in simple, relatable language, and observe the audience's reactions during the pitch. 6. If you have a chance, take a moment to acknowledge your incredible team - a strong team can give investors confidence in your ability to execute your vision. 7. Thank your audience: it leaves a positive lasting impression.

When pitching your startup, you are talking about how you came up with this idea, what happened to you, your life, and your experience. Focus on telling your story, do not bullshit, overact or lie.

As a professional speaker, I've learned three lessons that contribute to a harmonious presentation: 1. Know Your Story: You may not be the smartest one in the room; but, you should always be the most prepared. As the founder, no one should know your venture and market better than you. 2. Practice: Your presentation to investors shouldn't be the first time delivering the pitch. Actually, it shouldn't be in the first 100 times you've delivered the pitch. 3. Think Connection not Perfection: Don't overcomplicate the situation. The presentation's purpose is to open a conversation with the investor. So, focus on the person more than the pitch. Venture With Vision ??

Its a short presentation, you won't be able to explain in detail your business. So think about what's the key things I want people to remember about my startup? What's the key message I want them to understand. Focus on getting that right. What's the problem you are trying to solve (and why it matters) What's your solution (and how it is different from others) Why are you the best team to pull it off (and what have you done to date to prove it) Focus on the key messages!

Try to engage with your audience by starting with a question or a certain interactive element, which can ease the environment and make it feel more conversational.