I. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE GAUNTLET?

• Three companies are given 7 minutes to pitch their business to an audience of investors and entrepreneurs.
• A panel of 4-5 relevant experts has15 minutes to provide feedback and post questions to the company.
• The audience asks the company 2-3 questions.

II. WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?

• Attendance is by invitation only.
• The audience is made up of potential investors, partners and other entrepreneurs.
• They can give advice, evangelize your business, make introductions and even provide funding.

III. WHAT DO THEY WANT?

• A new business concept with a sizeable market and growth potential.
• Businesses that create unique value for your customers.
• Businesses with a sustainable competitive advantage.
• An experienced management team worth betting on.
• Inspiration, excitement, a connection with the entrepreneur, and of course, a tickling of the greed impulse that will make them want to get involved.

IV. PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

• Focus on what the audience needs to know, not what you want to say.
  • Be selective in what you say ¡V you have 7 minutes ¡V what are the critical issues and points?
  • Demonstrate how your company will earn high returns.?
  • Why should an investor fund your business over others?
  • Slides illustrate and support your speaking points. They are not to be read.

• Slides must be visually appealing; text should be easily read, graphics understood.

  • Prioritize where audience eyeballs will focus on screen.
  • Font must be visible to a room of 200 people.
  • No more than 3 key points per slide. Ensure your key points are identified upfront in your discussion.
  • Limit words per slide. Use phrases only.

• Time presentation so it is no longer than 7 minutes. You will get cut off after that.

  • Generally, 7 minutes equates to 7-12 slides.

• General content guidelines:(these are guidelines. Try to incorporate these slides, not necessarily in this order but it would be to your benefit if it was included)

  • Slide 1: Market for problem or need being addressed
    • Demonstrate a sizable market.
    • Outline growth potential.

  • Slide 2: Your value proposition (solving the problem)

    • Describe product or service offering with features and benefits.
    • Describe unique value you provide.

  • Slide 3: The business model

    • Define current business status (e.g. concept development, beta-testing, revenue generating, in expansion)
    • Define your business operations: what do you do/how?
    • Outline all revenue streams ¡V [that¡¦s technically your revenue model]

  • Slide 4: Current customers

    • Define target customer group(s).
    • Who are your current customers?
    • Outline near-term segment vs. long-term segment opportunities.

  • Slide 5: Competition and competitive advantages

    • Describe your "secret sauce" and why it is sustainable.
    • Define your current competition, projected competition and your competitive advantage in relation to them.
    • What are barriers to entry for potential competitors? Do you own any intellectual property?)
    • What is your cost per customer relative to competition.

  • Slide 6: Growth strategies

    • Sales strategies.
    • Distribution channel strategies.
    • Marketing and communications strategies.
    • Strategic partnerships and alliances (with agreements in place.)
    • Keys to customer adoption and success.

  • Slide 7: Operations

    • How you will achieve scale.
    • The exit strategy.

  • Slide 8: Management Team

    • Team members and roles.
    • Highlight relevant experience only.
    • Summarize why team is qualified to bet on.

  • Slide 9: Milestones

    • Critical achievements.
    • Deadline for each achievement.

  • Slide 10: 5-Year Summary projections

    • Revenues.
    • Operating Expenses.
    • EBITDA.
    • Volume and/or users.

  • Slide 11: Resources you are seeking

    • Capital.
    • Advisors.
    • Partnerships and/or introductions.

  • Slide 12: Company contact name and information

V. PRESENTER GUIDELINES

• Tell a cohesive story
• Focus on what will make you successful
• Focus on main point of each slide and move on
• Keep attention of audience on speaker not slides
• Acknowledge point of each question before answering
• Use best speaker on management team to present
• Rehearse audio with video
• Practice with timer, do not exceed allotted time
• Memorize presentation
• Speak at conversational speed
• Vary voice intonation and gestures
• Practice standing
• Make eye contact with audience members
• Dress in professional attire
• Be engaging, exciting and motivating
• Acknowledge the point of each question before answering
• Exude confidence!