The goal is to reassure investors, and to achieve this, the presented pitch deck must make them sit up and pay attention. Don’t become just another tone that they listen to and quickly forget. Failure is not an option, and here are the common mistakes that scream “Failure”:

1. The wrong investors: One of the biggest mistakes companies seeking venture capital make is not knowing who they’re going to meet with. Introducing the wrong people is a waste of your time and theirs. Does your business align with what the firm or its area of ​​specialization usually invests in? Even though their launch pad is great, doing a little research beforehand avoids the disappointment of a failed launch. Look at the types of companies your investors have backed before. What size are they? Do they want only established companies or are startups okay? Also, make sure there are no conflicts with the competition.

2. Make a universal release: Single releases stand out, not canned ones. You are missing a real opportunity by approaching all investors in the same way. They have likes and dislikes, which is what you want to attend to, not knowing what they are is a big mistake.

3. Not knowing when to stop: Once it’s a fluke, more than that could be an issue you need to address before continuing. If one of your investors expresses concern about a part of your launch pad, consider their comments carefully. If other investors bring up the same issue, continuing without some adjustments will get you nowhere. Resume with your pitch deck once it’s flawless.

4. Being lifeless and boring: First impressions are either make it or break it. Dress the role and make eye contact with your audience. Reading your slides word for word means you miss out on engaging your investors and judging the mood of the presentation. The fact is that most people have a remarkably short attention span, so less is more. You should create a spark almost instantly. Slide after slide will lose your audience’s attention unless each one shines.

5. Not being prepared: The only reason a potential investor won’t have a question is if they’re going to turn you down. Potential venture capitalists will want to know exactly where their money is going and how it will proceed. Remember that they don’t owe you anything, including your signature on a check. Before you begin your presentation, think through all the possible questions an investor might have and make sure you have the right answers waiting in the wings. Be aware that some questions can make you feel defensive and be prepared not to react that way! Nothing will lose a potential investor faster than a company that thinks it knows better than the investors. They’ve made their money, so they’re doing something right.

6. Ignore an Informal Opportunity: Formal presentations are your planned opportunities to secure investors, but when informal opportunities appear, they should be seized. Asking a potential investor for advice after giving a brief summary could easily lead to a formal invitation for your company to make a presentation.

7. Keep quiet about updates: Even investors who gloss over your pitch want to know that you value their advice and listen to their criticism, especially when you act on it. Calling them back after some time has passed to let them know you’ve made changes based on their recommendations shows that you’re willing to put in the effort to get things done. Not letting previous rejects know that you’ve made fundamental changes only ensures that you won’t see term sheets coming from these corners.

8. Not being honest: Honesty is rightly valued. If your investor mentions something that you notice is a potential trap, you will lose all credibility by admitting that you already know about it. Be honest and avoid negative comments about a known problem.

You spend a lot of time making the perfect pitch deck. Make sure you can back it up with everything you say or do. Avoid the most common avoidable mistakes and watch investors line up for the opportunity to work with your company.