Social Innovation Pitch Template

The Problem What’s the Pain/Problem that you seek to solve? (Problem Slide) State the big, important problem that the company is going to solve State concisely and clearly why this situation exists and persists

How Big is the Problem? How Big is the Pain/Problem? (Continuation of Problem Slide) Assert the size of the opportunity you have identified – use real numbers Quantify the pain Define the scope of the opportunity See Notes The severity of the problem lies in the four types of discovery; the obvious is the personal discovery, but where are the problems around system discovery, civic discovery, and predictive discovery being highlighted. Sometimes this is more of a problem than the issues affecting the end user directly.

Show a DEMO Video if at all possible Solution What is your Solution? (Solution Slide or Slides) State concretely what you will build that solves the problem. Showing is better than telling. See Notes Section Show a DEMO Video if at all possible This is the slide where you must bring to life your intervention in the social space; there are 4 interventions- Civic Realignment Technological Glue Filling the Management Gap New Volunteer & Goodwill Pipelines

Doing this during the DEMO Video is fine. Benefits What is the Benefit(s) or Value that your Solution Provides? (Benefits or Continuation of Solution Slide) State clearly and quantify to the extent possible the 3 to 5 key benefits Turning Liability Into Opportunity See Notes Doing this during the DEMO Video is fine. Because of the extreme competition or perceived competition in the market; this slide must bring out the specific unique benefits to your solution that eliminates all doubt that any other organization can do what you do. This is where it must be seen where you are turning liability into opportunity.

Many people put up a feature by solution grid. Competition Who else provides a solution and why is yours better? (Competition Slide) State clearly and concisely how your solution is better than what everyone does in the industry, including the status quo. Do your homework on the competition and don’t misrepresent their strengths or their weaknesses. This is your competitive advantage. See Notes Many people put up a feature by solution grid. You can too. Sometimes the key is not just listing the how you provide more benefits/features than your competition. There are many social efforts who will always outperform based on access and partnerships. You must convey that you are aware of this type of competition and how you will still be able grow. Think of the 4 components mentioned in this deck on the Solution slide and how your solution is better not just by your technology, but also in terms of civic realignment, filling the management gap, and new volunteer and donor goodwill pipelines. Many times your competition is not direct but indirect.

Go-to-Market Strategy How will you get your solution to the Market? (Go-To-Market Slide) Focus on articulating the non-obvious, potentially disruptive elements of your strategy What are the critical hurdles that the company faces and how will the company address them to get the sale? See Notes This is usually one of the weaker pitch points. Do you homework here and make it strong. You must bring to life the comprehensiveness of your social enterprise go to market strategy by conveying your balance of “top down versus particpatory approaches” This is huge.

Business Model If you can get your solution to the market, how will you make money? (Business Model Slide) How do you make money? Explain the pricing, the costs, and why this company will be especially profitable. Make sure you know the key assumptions underlying your planned success. Be prepared to defend them. Be ready to articulate the sensitivity of your business to variations in your assumptions. See Notes This cannot be generic and state- grants, foundations, donors, etc. You must get very specific on how your discovery has led you to believe things such as- -- $1,000 corporate sponsor for a child is viable -- $10,000 grant in year one for a specific foundation -- Existing government contracts that you can fit into -- New partnerships for earned revenue -- Price associated with your product if the end user is the one who is paying --Viable Events

Don’t put a cliché line/bar graph on this slide with steady growth. How much money can you make? Assuming you can get it to market and make money, how much will you make? (Financial Projections Slide) What is your financial projection for the company? What are the two to four key metrics that will drive revenues, expenses and growth? Convey that you really understand the economics and evolution of a growing a dynamic company These are your financial projections. See notes Don’t put a cliché line/bar graph on this slide with steady growth. This slide is really about scale, meaning the ability to reach the many; this is done through the acquiring of -- Capital -- Partnerships -- Human Capital -- Technology

Team Who is building the startup? (Team Slide) Founders with key and relevant accomplishments listed Who is advising the team? What gives this team an edge? See Notes Is there a rock star on board in terms of social innovation

Progress What achievements or progress has been made to date by the team? (Progress Slide) What are the meaningful achievements already attained by the team to date? Where is the wow? That is what has the team knocked out of the park as far as milestones, strategic partners, contracts, traction etc.

Vortex of Social Change This is the Progress Slide Continued Listing of Market Makers Listing of Service Providers

Ask What will be needed to succeed and how will you and others measure progress? (Ask Slide) What are the capital requirements for the company? Map the funding against your key milestones. Tie the milestones to the key metrics in your financial projections This is your operating plan for the funds you are raising – financing requirements and associated milestones. See Notes Nonprofits are different; 1-3 investments of capital will not make the organization self sustaining. The ask should be to lay the foundation for the organization and not just a project or an effort. The ask could be contracts, an amount, a partnership that has dollars built in, etc.

Thank you! Why you? Why now? (Final Slide – Usually Contact Info) Solidify the core value proposition of your company in words that are memorable and unique to your company. If someone were to give a short summary the company, these are the words you want used – the opportunity and the solution This is your Summary to state, but place your contact info on this slide.