11 Sep 2024
A pitch is a brief introduction to your company, designed to leave a lasting impression, spark interest, highlight your company’s uniqueness, and encourage your listener to want to learn more. A well-prepared pitch can be invaluable when speaking to potential investors, partners, journalists, or even your team. It’s crucial to convey what your business does and why others should care in a concise and compelling manner.
There are different pitches, from quick elevator pitches to longer presentations with slides. In this guide, we'll focus on crafting a 45-second pitch, which gives you more room than an elevator pitch but is still quick and to the point.
This guide should come in handy as you prepare for the next EIC Scaling Club event – the Scale 100 Forum taking place in Athens on October 21–22. Companies participating in the pitching session will get exactly 45 seconds to present their case.
See you in Athens, and in the meantime – here’s how to perfect your pitch for the occasion.
7 steps to crafting a 45-second pitch
Hook (5 seconds)
Start with a captivating statistic or fact that immediately grabs attention and sets the stage for your pitch. This moment establishes the context of your business and hints at the problem you’re solving.
Example: “Did you know that large-scale facilities waste up to 30% of their energy due to outdated and inefficient systems?”
Name (5 seconds)
Clearly state your and your company’s name. It might seem almost too obvious to point this out, but people sometimes omit this significant detail in the heat of the moment. Connect your introduction with the hook to reinforce the relevance of what you do.
Example: “I’m X, and at GreenTech Innovations, we’re redefining energy efficiency for industrial and commercial giants.”
Value (10 seconds)
Summarize what your company does and how it addresses the problem. Keep it simple and avoid technical jargon. Even as a deep-tech company, you have to be able to break down your solution into something a non-expert could understand.
Example: “We offer an advanced system that uses real-time data and predictive analytics to minimize energy waste for large enterprises.”
Problem (10 seconds)
Elaborate on the problem your company solves, emphasizing its importance and urgency. Again, keep the explanation straightforward, ensuring the listener grasps why the problem matters. Not everyone you're pitching to will be an industry expert, so they must understand why your work matters.
Example: “Our platform tackles the critical issue of energy inefficiency in large-scale operations, where even small improvements can lead to millions in savings.”
Target (5 seconds)
Briefly mention who your solution is designed to help. This step signals a market demand for your product or service. If you skip this step, your listener may doubt the viability of your business.
Example: “This technology benefits energy-intensive industries, enabling them to optimize usage and cut unnecessary costs.”
Secret sauce (10 seconds)
Explain what sets your company apart from others. Whether it’s a novel product, an innovative approach, or something else, this is your chance to highlight why you’re best positioned to solve the problem.
Example: “Our unique approach combines deep learning with advanced sensor networks to create a system that saves energy and continuously improves efficiency.”
Case study (5 seconds)
If you have the time, include a brief example demonstrating your solution’s effectiveness. Use a statistic or notable result that supports your claims, but, similar to the other points, don't delve into too much detail to keep the spotlight on you.
Example: “Our system enabled XYZ Inc. to reduce their energy consumption by 30%, translating to annual savings of over $500,000.”
What to leave out of your pitch
In a short pitch, skip details like your background, team structure, business model, competitors, go-to-market strategy, etc. While these elements are important, your pitch aims to spark interest by focusing on the core parts of your business. If your pitch succeeds, you'll get into all the details in a follow-up conversation.
Final tips
- Practice: Make sure you can deliver your pitch smoothly without sounding memorized.
- Customize: Tailor your pitch to your audience for maximum relevance – if you know you're talking to an industry expert, you can add more technical details that would impress them.
- Show passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through because if you're not passionate about your business, why would anyone else be?
- Engage with body language: Be confident and maintain eye contact.
- Ignite interest: The goal is to entice your audience to want more, so keep the pitch brief, specific, and with a promise for extra details later.
- Be memorable: Leave a lasting impression and encourage the listener to take the next step, like scheduling a follow-up meeting.
Lastly, keep in mind that this outline is a flexible guide. No two companies are alike, so your pitch should be as unique as your business. Feel free to adapt the structure to fit your business and style.
About the EIC Scaling Club
The EIC Scaling Club is a curated community where 120+ European deep tech scale-ups with the potential to build world-class businesses and solve major global challenges come together with investors, corporate innovators and other industry stakeholders to spur growth.
The top 120+ European deep tech companies will be carefully selected from a pool of high-growth scale-ups that have benefitted from EIC financial schemes, other European and national innovation programmes, and beyond.
The EIC Scaling Club is an EIC-funded initiative run in partnership by Tech Tour, Bpifrance (EuroQuity), Hello Tomorrow, Tech.eu (Webrazzi), EurA and IESE Business School.
Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay up-to-date!
Recent Articles
Persistence, stamina, and grit are more important than ever – Interview with Patrik Sobocki
11 Sep 2024
EIC Scaling Club
48 companies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Interview
UMNAI
hybrid intelligence
neuro-symbolic AI
UMNAI: The missing piece of today’s AI – Hybrid Intelligence
11 Sep 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
48 companies
EIC
Interview
Basemark
augmented reality
AR
automotive industry
Basemark: Transforming the driving experience with augmented reality
21 Aug 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
quantum computing
photonics
Next-Gen Computing
48 companies
Interview
Science tech
Quix Quantum
QuiX Quantum: Building a quantum future with photonic power
15 Aug 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
48 companies
Digital Security & Trust
deep tech scale-ups
QuoIntelligence
threat intelligence
Marco Riccardi
QuoIntelligence: Democratizing threat intelligence
13 Aug 2024
european deep tech
eic scaling club mentors
New Space
Interview
deep tech scale-ups
Tero Vauraste
President
Finland
Arctic
Learning is a lifelong journey – Interview with Tero Vauraste
9 Aug 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
quantum computing
Next-Gen Computing
EIC
Interview
Science tech
deep tech scale-ups
qubits
quobly
Quobly: Tackling the world's growing computational challenges with quantum power
8 Aug 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Report
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
cohort 1
Renewable Energies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Challenge Roadmap
European deep-tech scale-ups focus on market expansion, funnel optimization, and investment readiness level to attract growth funding
6 Aug 2024
Open Call – EIC matchmaking opportunity: Pitch your maritime and shipping industry innovations
1 Aug 2024
Digital sector
european deep tech
Ignition Forum
deeptech scale-ups
Video interview
imec
Interview
Science tech
Jo De Boeck
Imec: Bridging the gap between lab and market
29 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Report
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Challenge Roadmap
EIC Scaling Club report identifies top go-to-market challenges of European deep-tech scale-ups
24 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Next-Gen Computing
48 companies
Interview
Science tech
GScan
Infrastructure
muon tomography
GScan: Pioneering infrastructure assessment with muon tomography
18 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
tech tour
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
mentors
meet the mentors
Video interview
Investment
Semiconductors
Investors
Interview
hardware
Marek Kotelnicki
VIGO Ventures
Deep-tech is very close to our hearts – Interview with Marek Kotelnicki
17 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
48 companies
cohort 1
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Interview
Science tech
François Mattens
XXII
XXII: Revolutionizing video analytics with AI-powered computer vision
10 Jul 2024
Deep tech
New Biotech Platforms
Corporates
Public Funds
EIT Food
Investors
Agencies
Cohort 2
Science tech
Cohort 2: Meet the New Biotech Platforms stakeholders
9 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
48 companies
cohort 1
Renewable Energies
EIC
Interview
Science tech
Nicolas Heuzé
Sweetch Energy
Sweetch Energy: Providing a source of renewable energy that ‘ticks all the boxes’
8 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
cohort 1
EIC
Interview
Marta Garcia Pedruelo
Multiverse Computing
How a paradigm-shifting company can benefit from the EIC Scaling Club – Interview with Marta Garcia Pedruelo
3 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Ignition Forum
cohort 1
Renewable Energies
EIC
Interview
bound4blue
Dana Camps
Decarbonizing maritime shipping with state-of-the-art technology – Interview with Dana Camps
2 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
48 companies
cohort 1
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Interview
Michal Tresner
threatmark
ThreatMark: Building AI-powered defense against evolving banking fraud
1 Jul 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
48 companies
cohort 1
Renewable Energies
EIC
Interview
aerones
Endijs Bernics
Scaling new heights: How Aerones conquers the wind industry
21 Jun 2024
EIC Scaling Club
EIC
Batteries & Energy Storage
Public Funds
Stakeholders
Agencies
Cohort 2
EIT Manufacturing
Cohort 2: Meet the Battery & Energy Storage stakeholders
20 Jun 2024
EIC Scaling Club
EISMEA
EIC
Agri & Food Tech
Corporates
Public Funds
EIT Food
Stakeholders
Agencies
Cohort 2
Cohort 2: Agri & Food Tech stakeholders unveiled
17 Jun 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
Renewable Energies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Investment
VC
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Mikko Suonenlahti
We can build many more unicorns together – Interview with Mikko Suonenlahti
13 Jun 2024
Digital sector
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
Next-Gen Computing
companies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
New Space
Fabrizia Zanca
SettleMint
Bridging the Blockchain Chasm with Innovative Solutions – Interview with Fabrizia Zanca, VP of People at SettleMint
10 Jun 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Deep tech
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
Renewable Energies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
Investment
VC
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Thomas Ferre
EIB
EIB's role in Europe's deep tech ecosystem – Interview with Thomas Ferré
6 Jun 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
EIC
Digital Security & Trust
climate tech
Larissa Skarke
Investment
VC
World Fund
Finding investment as a deeptech scaleup – interview with Larissa Skarke of World Fund
28 May 2024
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
imec
Olivier Rousseaux
Meet the man building deep tech ventures and spin-offs for IMEC: An interview with Olivier Rousseaux, its Director of Venture Development
24 May 2024
On European competitiveness and entrepreneurial education: Interview with Maria Zubeldia of Oxford's Saïd Business School
22 May 2024
Renewable Energies
Video interview
Carbon Equity
climate tech
Jacqueline van den Ende
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
'Mobilising private capital to address the world's greatest (climate) challenges': Carbon Equity CEO Jacqueline van den Ende is on a mission
15 May 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
Renewable Energies
Video interview
EIC
Michiel Scheffer
Digital Security & Trust
EIC Board
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Scaling up Europe's deep tech ecosystems: An interview with EIC Board President Michiel Scheffer
14 May 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
Ignition Forum
Renewable Energies
ERA
Video interview
Anna Panagopoulou
EIC
European Commission
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
'Building the unicorns of tomorrow in Europe' - Video interview with Anna Panagopoulou, Director of 'ERA & Innovation' at the European Commission
8 May 2024
The Innovator
Jennifer Schenker
VaultSpeed
Heimdall Power
Tilkal
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
The Innovator put the spotlight on three EIC Scaling Club companies: Tilkal, VaultSpeed and Heimdall Power
29 Apr 2024
Next-Gen Computing
mentors
meet the mentors
eic scaling club mentors
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Meet the Mentors: Presenting the curated list of business experts to advise the first cohort of scale-ups
24 Apr 2024
Report
Next-Gen Computing
market highlights
research
market highlights report
insights
data
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
EIC Scaling Club Report(s): Insights on four market sectors poised for deep tech innovation
9 Apr 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
European Innovation Council
Jean-David Malo
EISMEA
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Interview: EISMEA Director Jean-David Malo takes stock of the EIC's achievements to date, and challenges ahead
29 Mar 2024
EIC Scaling Club
Next-Gen Computing
48 companies
first cohort
companies
deeptech scale-ups
cohort 1
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Agri & Food Tech
48 high-growth tech companies join the EIC Scaling Club to collectively bolster Europe’s deep tech scale-up ecosystem
28 Mar 2024
Next-Gen Computing
axelera
alexera ai
fabrizio del maffeo
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Accelerating computer vision on edge devices as a 'small, fast-growing Nvidia': Interview with Fabrizio Del Maffeo from Axelera AI
25 Mar 2024
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Earlybird
Christian Nagel
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
The Earlybird gets the interview: A chat with seasoned VC investor Christian Nagel
14 Mar 2024
Changing the fate of Europe through deep tech investments: Q&A with Jolt Capital's Jean Schmitt
5 Mar 2024
smart mobility
eit
Maria Tsavachidis
eit urban mobility
Renewable Energies
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Moving on up: EIT Urban Mobility CEO Maria Tsavachidis on how to make cities more liveable thanks to sustainable mobility
28 Feb 2024
Making clean, scalable fusion power plants a reality: An interview with Proxima co-founder and CEO Francesco Sciortino
27 Feb 2024
The Innovator
Jennifer Schenker
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Making media moves: Insights from The Innovator founder (and EIC Scaling Club Council Member) Jennifer Schenker
26 Feb 2024
The key to Europe levelling up its game, and insights on the Swiss (deep) tech ecosystem: An interview with Jennifer Webb (Swisscom Ventures)
15 Feb 2024
Safety first: Soter Analytics helps prevent workplace injuries (interview with CEO Matthew Hart)
13 Feb 2024
smart mobility
eif
european investment fund
roger havenith
etci
european tech champions initiative
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Building (and funding) real European deep tech champions: An interview with EIF deputy chief Roger Havenith
6 Feb 2024
Shaping light as a service - A chat with Jean-François Morizur, CEO of French photonics scale-up Cailabs
2 Feb 2024
Warning: Joining the EIC Scaling Club may get your company acquired! (Veronika Oudova, S-Biomedic)
30 Jan 2024
EIC Scaling Club
EIC Scaling Club Council
iqm
quantum computing
jan goetz
Next-Gen Computing
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Catching up with IQM co-founder and CEO (and EIC Scaling Club Council member) Jan Goetz
24 Jan 2024
Deep tech
smart mobility
tech tour
tech tour growth50
growth50
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Spotting Europe's next unicorns: Check out the Tech Tour Growth50 list
18 Jan 2024
Shift4Good co-founder Yann Marteil backs EIC Scaling Club's mission to accelerate global impact
19 Dec 2023
Thoughts on European deep tech from Massimo Portincaso (Arsenale, Deepwave Ventures, Hello Tomorrow, ex-BCG)
15 Dec 2023
Deep tech
Next-Gen Computing
48 companies
2024 Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
Digital Security & Trust
Spotlight on the DeepTech Alliance: Q&A with Thomas Klem Andersen
16 Nov 2023
EIC Scaling Club
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
New Space
Presenting the members of the EIC Scaling Club Council
2 Nov 2023
Digital sector
Deep tech
smart mobility
Next-Gen Computing
Renewable Energies
Digital Security & Trust
Batteries & Energy Storage
Clean Fuels & Hydrogen
Agri & Food Tech
Cardiovascular Therapies
New Biotech Platforms
The Rise of Deep Tech in the Baltics
11 Oct 2023 - Location 3