How to win a startup pitch competition

Here's the secret to winning a startup pitch competition.

Back of the envelope math, I’ve judged 70-80 startup pitch competitions over the past decade-plus, as recently as last week.

Afterward, someone asked me what set Janessa Ferrell ( QuestRead ) apart to win the Atlanta Tech Village Pitch Off.

Janessa nailed everything below, notably the depth of knowledge and understanding exhibited during the Q&A portion.

Template for a 5 Minute Pitch

1. Problem: [Company] solves [problem], which causes [negative impact] for [target audience].
2. Solution: [Company] offers [product/service] with [key features] to help [target audience] [achieve desired outcome].
3. Market: [Company] targets the [size] [target audience] market, differentiating itself from [competitors] by [key differentiator].
4. Business Model: [Company] generates revenue through [revenue model] and has achieved [key milestones].
5. Team: [Company] is led by [team] who have [relevant experience] and is supported by [advisors/investors], which gives us [an unfair advantage].

4 Key Factors Judges Consider

1. Clarity and Delivery: Is the pitch communicated clearly, confidently, and in an engaging manner?
2. Q&A Agility: How well does the team handle questions and respond to feedback?
3. Traction: Have they demonstrated clear progress and the speed of growth?
4. Novelty: Great startups have non-obvious solutions to obvious problems, or obvious solutions to non-obvious problems.