Preparing to Pitch in 2025: Key Steps to Take Before Seeking Investment

As we enter 2025, the startup funding environment has continued to evolve, presenting new challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs. If you're planning to pitch to investors, what you do before you present your business is more critical than ever. Preparation is key, and with the right steps, you can significantly increase your chances of securing funding.

Having worked with thousands of entrepreneurs, we’ve gained insights into what truly makes a pitch stand out. While telling a compelling story is important, there are specific actions you can take to boost your chances of getting noticed by investors.

1. Understand the Investment Lingo

The world of investing has its own unique vocabulary. Terms like cap table, SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), convertible debt, pre-money valuation, and post-money valuation can be daunting if you're not familiar with them. In 2025, investors expect entrepreneurs to know these terms inside and out.

Before you pitch, make sure you’re fluent in the language of investment. Understanding how funding works and how to present your business’s financials will help you communicate more effectively with potential investors.

A small misstep in terminology could significantly impact how your business is perceived, so it’s essential to be prepared.

2. Focus on Sales, Not Just Ideas

In today’s funding landscape, sales matter more than ever. Everyone has an idea, but ideas alone don’t build businesses. Investors want to see traction — proof that your idea is working in the real world. Having actual sales, or at the very least a clear sales strategy, is crucial.

Once you have sales, it's time to track your performance and build a financial forecast. Platforms like Forecastr can help you project future growth and identify key metrics (KPIs) that are critical for your success. Knowing your numbers is essential to gain investor trust in 2025.

3. Craft a Pitch Deck That Works for You

In 2025, a simple pitch deck template won’t cut it. While there are countless resources on how to build the perfect pitch deck, the key is to make it unique and tailored to your business. Look to real-world examples and learn from successful entrepreneurs. Platforms like PitchUs provide valuable feedback on pitch decks and presentations, helping you refine your approach before meeting with investors.

Pro tip: Skip the "ask" slide! Investors are more interested in understanding the vision and the opportunity, so focus on how your business solves problems, creates value, and can scale.

4. Practice Your Pitch Until It Feels Natural

Pitching is a skill, and like any other skill, it requires practice. You might think that just having your pitch written down is enough, but too many entrepreneurs fail to practice their delivery before pitching to investors. This step is non-negotiable.

You want your pitch to feel like a natural conversation. The more you practice, the more confident and fluid you'll sound. Avoid relying on note cards or memorizing your pitch verbatim — this can make you seem less confident about your business. Instead, focus on understanding your key points and being able to discuss them smoothly.

5. Find a Champion to Support Your Pitch

Having a solid product and a strong story will certainly help you get noticed, but in 2025, it’s often the relationships you build that make the difference. Identify a champion — someone who believes in your business and is willing to advocate for you within angel groups or venture capital (VC) funds. This could be an investor who’s particularly passionate about your industry, or even a former entrepreneur who understands your challenges.

If you’re worried about not knowing any investors, don’t be! Investors are often more accessible than you think. Reach out to the deal flow manager at a VC firm or angel group and ask if they know anyone who specializes in your industry. Many investors are eager to give back, particularly if they’ve retired, and would be happy to lend their expertise or make introductions.

Wrapping It Up

There are many paths to funding in 2025, and preparing properly can set you on the right track. By mastering investment terminology, getting to sales, refining your pitch deck, practicing your presentation, and finding a champion, you’ll significantly improve your chances of securing the capital you need.

Remember: investors are looking for more than just an idea; they want to see a well-prepared, knowledgeable founder with a clear plan for growth. If you take the time to get these steps right, you’ll be ready to take your business to the next level. Good luck!