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intermediate business 1 week

Mastering the Pitch: How to Sell Your Business Idea

D
Dzaleka Online Services
• November 22, 2025
Table of Contents

Course Overview

Having a great business idea is only half the battle; you also need to be able to sell it. This course, inspired by insights from Harvard Business School Online, will teach you how to craft a compelling pitch that persuades investors, partners, and customers to believe in your vision.

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand what investors are really looking for.
  • Learn how to tell a story that connects emotionally.
  • Master the 10 essential slides of a winning pitch deck.
  • Gain confidence in delivering your presentation.

Table of Contents

Module 1: Know Your Audience

1.1 It’s a Partnership

Investment is a two-way street. You aren’t just asking for money; you are offering an opportunity to make money.

  • Research: Know who you are pitching to. What industries do they like? What stage (Seed, Series A) do they fund?
  • Due Diligence: Just as they vet you, you should vet them.

1.2 The “Right” Founder

Investors invest in people first, ideas second.

  • Founder-Market Fit: Why are YOU the best person to solve this problem?
  • Traits: Show determination, resilience, and coachability.

Module 2: The Art of Storytelling

2.1 Beyond Facts and Figures

Data is important, but stories stick.

  • The Hook: Start with a relatable scenario or a surprising statistic.
  • The Hero: Make your customer the hero of the story, not your product. Your product is the tool the hero uses to win.

2.2 The Narrative Arc

  1. The Status Quo: How things are now (the problem).
  2. The Conflict: Why the current solutions fail (the pain).
  3. The Resolution: How your product fixes it (the gain).

Module 3: The Pitch Deck

A standard pitch deck has 10-12 slides. Here is the proven structure:

3.1 Introduction

  • Who you are and your tagline.
  • Tip: Keep it simple and memorable.

3.2 The Problem

  • What pain point are you solving?
  • Use data to show the scale of the problem.

3.3 The Solution

  • Show your product. Use screenshots or a demo.
  • Explain how it solves the problem better than anything else.

3.4 Market Size

  • TAM (Total Addressable Market): Everyone who could buy it.
  • SAM (Serviceable Addressable Market): Who you can reach.
  • SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market): Who you will capture first.

3.5 Competition

  • Who else is doing this?
  • The Matrix: Use a 2x2 grid to show where you sit compared to competitors (e.g., Affordable vs. Expensive, Simple vs. Complex).

3.6 Business Model

  • How do you make money? (e.g., Subscription, One-time purchase, Ads).

3.7 Go-to-Market Strategy

  • How will you get customers? (e.g., Social media, Sales team, Partnerships).

3.8 The Team

  • Who is building this? Highlight relevant experience.

3.9 Financials & Projections

  • Show your past traction (if any) and future projections (3-5 years).

3.10 The Ask

  • How much money do you need?
  • What will you use it for? (e.g., 40% Product, 30% Marketing, 30% Hiring).

Module 4: Delivery & Q&A

4.1 Presentation Tips

  • Less is More: Don’t read off the slides. Use images and bullet points.
  • Passion: If you aren’t excited, they won’t be.
  • Practice: Rehearse until it flows naturally.

4.2 Handling Questions

  • Be Honest: If you don’t know, say “I’ll get back to you.”
  • Listen: Make sure you understand the question before answering.
  • The “Catcher” Concept: Treat the investor as a collaborator. Invite them to help shape the idea.

Resources

Templates

Further Reading

Conclusion

A great pitch is a conversation, not a lecture. It’s about building trust and showing that you have the vision and the capability to execute.

Now, go build your deck and tell your story!