Mastering the art of the business pitch is a vital skill for any aspiring entrepreneur.
At the Generator, the University of Greenwich’s hub for innovation and enterprise, we support hundreds of student entrepreneurs each year in building their confidence, refining their ideas, and delivering high-impact pitches.
One of the best opportunities to perfect your pitch is through the University’s flagship event, the Enterprise Challenge, a University-wide competition where student entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of industry experts and a live audience. This high-energy, high-stakes, event gives students real-world experience in pitching under pressure, testing their ideas, and showcasing their communication skills.
So, whether you’re preparing for a pitch competition, presenting to potential investors, or simply looking to improve your public speaking skills, delivering a powerful pitch can open doors and turn ideas into opportunities.
Here are our top tips to help you craft - and deliver - a winning business pitch:
- Start strong: First impressions matter! You need to capture your audience’s attention within the first 10 seconds of your pitch. Open with a bold statement, a surprising statistic, or a relatable story which sets the tone and sparks curiosity.
- Know your “Why”: What problem are you solving, and why does it matter? You need to define clearly the need your business addresses. Investors back people who are passionate about solving real problems, not just selling products.
- Be clear and concise: Avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. A great pitch is focused and easy-to-follow. Aim to communicate your business model, value proposition, and impact in a way which even someone outside your industry can understand
- Show the solution: Demonstrate how your product or service works. Whether it’s a prototype, demo video, or customer testimonial, make your solution feel real and tangible. If people can see it, they can believe in it.
- Know your numbers: Be ready to talk about costs, pricing, revenue, and market size. Even if you’re in the early stages, showing that you’ve done your homework builds credibility
- Tell a story: People remember stories, not spreadsheets. Frame your pitch as a narrative, your journey, the challenges you’ve faced, and the vision you’re building. Storytelling creates emotional connection and makes your pitch more memorable.
- Practice relentlessly: Rehearse your pitch until it feels natural. Practicing in front of friends, mentors, or peers will help you gain confidence and refine your delivery. We also recommend recording yourself and watching it back as this will help to improve your delivery.
- Own the stage: Confidence is key. Make eye contact, speak clearly, and use positive body language. You don’t need to be a polished performer, you just need to be passionate and authentic.
- End with a Call-to-Action: What do you want from your audience? Whether it’s funding, mentorship, or feedback, be clear about your ask and invite them to take the next step with you.
- Embrace feedback: Every pitch is a chance to learn. Whether you win or not, listen carefully to feedback and use it to improve. Iteration is part of the entrepreneurial journey.
At the Generator, we believe pitching is a skill anyone can learn - with the right preparation, support, and mindset, you can stand up and deliver a pitch which inspires action. If you're a University of Greenwich student and you've a big idea or want to boost your confidence or nail that job interview, check out our upcoming event, "Pitch Perfect", which takes place at the end of May.
And remember, if you’re a Greenwich student with a business idea, get in touch with us in the Generator - we’re here to help you bring it to life.
