Crossroads Venture Fair
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
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1. Substance (Suggested Content Outline)
Obviously a 3 minute presentations cannot contain the level of detail that an 8-minute pitch will accommodate.

OPEN WITH A STRONG STATEMENT TO GRAB AUDIENCE  ATTENTION. 

DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY
NAME (Put company name on every slide)
PRODUCT
YEARS IN BUSINESS

SALES
VOLUME [size of company]
SALES GROWTH [success of company] 

PRODUCT/SERVICE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
Technology edge [do not delve into too much detail.  Not everyone gets excited about dual phase paradigm interferometer ether shifts like you do.]  Just explain that it will allow jets to save 50% on fuel costs.  That they will understand.

PATENTS 

MARKET
THE NEED ONLY THIS PRODUCT WILL FILL

MARKET.  Who are potential customers?  How many are there.  Is number growing or declining.  How many customers do you have now and what percentage is this of total market?

MARKET COMPETITION

HOW IS YOUR COMPANY BETTER/ DIFFERENT FROM COMPETITION? 

MANAGEMENT TEAM [Backgrounds should be varied and include individuals with business backgrounds; not just technical people.] 

STRATEGIC PLANS, GOALS.  Why is addition funding needed?  Expansion into new markets?  Development of new technologies? 

FINANCE
CURRENT FUNDING;  OWNERS INVOLVEMENT IN FUNDING

AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING NEEDED

CLOSING ARGUMENTS:  COMPANY STRENGTHS
[Why this is a good investment opportunity]

2. Style:  Creative Legible and Convincing Visuals

LIST 5 OR FEWER POINTS PER SLIDE OR FRAME. 

USE LARGE TYPE (24 points or larger). 

1.      Limit slides to 7 words per line. 

2.      Substitute symbols [=, %, >] for words.

3.      If the audience cannot read your material, you will lose their attention.

4.      Use phases instead of sentences. 

USE A HIGH-CONTRAST COLOR SCHEME.  Pale blue on a yellow is right out.

KEEP THE SHOW MOVING.  One slide every 30 to 60 seconds is about right for this topic and audience.  Obviously, you will require more slides if you use a PowerPoint presentation and "uncover" points on your slides one at a time.  

CLARITY.   Don't get clever.  This is not a design competition.  Which of the following charts is easier to read?