Making Winning Presentations to Investors

Entrepreneurs may have the best product, the most innovative technology, the largest market or the most detailed business plan, but they may still not be able to secure the capital they need to grow their businesses. To raise money, entrepreneurs must be able to present their companies and their capabilities in a compelling and effective manner to investors. This course gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to make that winning presentation.

This course not only identifies the key factors that entrepreneurs must communicate to investors but also describes what entrepreneurs must never say if they want to fund the growth of their companies. By revealing the secrets of what investors look for in making an investment decision, the program helps entrepreneurs successfully pitch their companies, whether they have 60 seconds in an elevator, six minutes before an audience of investors or 60 minutes in a personal meeting with a venture capitalist.

Entrepreneurs will learn how to present the opportunity their companies offer. The session will help entrepreneurs clearly and concisely convey the market need for their product or service, show how they understand customer requirements and demonstrate how they are unique from competitors. Just as importantly, you will learn how entrepreneurs should establish their credibility with investors. Through inference, reference and evidence, entrepreneurs can enhance their image and stature in the minds of investors and thus become more attractive investment opportunities.

Course Faculty

Dr. Ray Smilor is the executive director of the Beyster Institute. A noted expert in entrepreneurship and executive vice president of the Foundation for Enterprise Development, Dr. Smilor has written and edited several books and articles on entrepreneurship, economic development and technology transfer and commercialization. Previously vice president of the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, he helped build one of the most prominent organizations promoting entrepreneurship in the United States.

Before joining the Kauffman Center, Dr. Smilor was a tenured professor at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin where he also served as the executive director of the IC2 Institute at UT, which became an internationally recognized think tank for entrepreneurship and economic development. Dr. Smilor earned his Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Texas-Austin.