Welcome to the “Crack the Pitching Code” course! Before you start, we want to help you understand where you currently stand in various aspects of pitching to investors. This pre-course assessment will give you a clear idea of your strengths and areas that need improvement. By quantifying your current skills and knowledge, you’ll be able to compare your progress mid-course and post-course.
Please answer the following questions by selecting the option that best represents your current level of confidence and ability. Be honest with yourself, as this will help you get the most out of the course. Remember, this assessment is for your benefit and will not be shared with anyone.
| Question | Score |
|---|---|
| I understand what investors look for in a startup pitch. | 1: I have no idea what investors look for. 2: I have a vague idea but lack details. 3: I know some key points but not everything. 4: I have a good understanding but could improve. 5: I have a comprehensive understanding of investor expectations. |
| I can clearly define my startup’s value proposition and make it compelling to investors. | 1: I cannot clearly define my startup’s value proposition. 2: I have a rough idea but struggle to convey it. 3: I can define it but it’s not very compelling. 4: I can define it clearly and it’s fairly compelling. 5: I can define it clearly and it’s highly compelling. |
| I feel confident in handling objections from investors effectively. | 1: I feel unprepared to handle objections. 2: I struggle to handle objections effectively. 3: I can handle some objections but not all. 4: I handle objections well but could improve. 5: I am very confident in handling any objections. |
| I can effectively communicate my business model to investors. | 1: I cannot communicate my business model clearly. 2: I struggle to explain my business model effectively. 3: I can explain my business model but not convincingly. 4: I communicate my business model well but could improve. 5: I effectively communicate my business model and its strengths. |
| I know the key elements that should be included in a pitch deck and how to prioritize them. | 1: I don’t know what to include in a pitch deck. 2: I have a basic idea but lack clarity. 3: I know what to include but struggle with prioritization. 4: I can prepare a pitch deck but could refine it. 5: I can prepare an effective pitch deck with clear priorities. |
| I am skilled at making my pitch narrative engaging and memorable. | 1: My pitch narrative is not engaging. 2: My narrative is somewhat engaging but needs work. 3: My narrative is engaging but could be more memorable. 4: My narrative is engaging and fairly memorable. 5: My narrative is highly engaging and memorable. |
| I understand the importance of visual design in a pitch deck and follow key design principles. | 1: I don’t understand visual design principles. 2: I have a basic understanding but struggle to apply them. 3: I understand some principles but not all. 4: I understand and apply most visual design principles. 5: I have a strong grasp of visual design principles and apply them well. |
| I am confident in delivering a pitch to investors. | 1: I feel very nervous and unconfident when pitching. 2: I feel somewhat nervous and lack confidence. 3: I am fairly confident but have room to improve. 4: I am confident but occasionally get nervous. 5: I feel very confident and rarely get nervous. |
| I effectively research potential investors and determine if they are a good fit for my startup. | 1: I don’t know how to research investors. 2: I struggle to research investors effectively. 3: I can research investors but not always thoroughly. 4: I research investors well but could improve. 5: I effectively research and select investors. |
| I have a solid strategy for following up with investors after a pitch to keep them engaged. | 1: I don’t have a follow-up strategy. 2: My follow-up strategy is weak and inconsistent. 3: I have a follow-up strategy but it could be improved. 4: My follow-up strategy is good but not perfect. 5: I have a strong and effective follow-up strategy. |
After you complete the course, revisit these questions and see how your scores have improved. This will help you measure your progress and identify areas where you might still need to focus your efforts. Let’s get started and transform your pitch together!
