Pitch Guidelines

When creating the pitch, you will have two separate components:   

1. 3-sentence Elevator Pitch
2. Video

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3-Sentence Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short engaging presentation that describes how your idea can improve the lives of others. Your pitch should interest potential buyers, investors, or collaborators.  A pitch is meant to be completed in the time it takes to ride an elevator!

Action Steps:

1. The first sentence should include your problem, users, and data quantifying the magnitude of the problem.

1. The second sentence should describe your solution and the evidence (from your STEM research) that supports your solution.

1. The third sentence should discuss the benefits it provides to the user over the competition and how your product or service solves a problem for the user.
   

Writing Suggestions:

1. Use informal language that anyone without the background knowledge of your idea can understand. 
   

1. Create a positive and lasting impression about your idea on your audience. 
   

1. Write it in the 3rd person. (do not use “I, we, or me” and instead use “the company, the business, it”)
   

1. Contain a maximum of three sentences. 
   

Example 3-Sentence Elevator Pitch:

Approximately 84% of school aged students have issues with maintaining ample lead in a traditional wooden pencil. By harnessing the law of action and reaction in motion, Autopencil automatically feeds lead through a self-rotating spring, activated by the user's pressure. With its user-friendly design, Autopencil facilitates a seamless writing experience, enabling increased time on task and enhanced focus, while minimizing interruptions caused by broken lead.

Video

The video is used to illustrate your idea visually, while the written component is used to document your idea. These two methods ensure you are engaging as many audiences as possible! 

Action Steps:

PROBLEM: 

1. Hook your audience with an engaging question asking if they, or someone whom they know, has a problem with…. 
   

1. Identify the users.
   

1. Quantify the magnitude of the problem (with numerical data). 
   

SOLUTION:

1. Introduce yourself and describe your solution.
   

1. Explain how your solution functions.
   

1. Describe the evidence (from your STEM research) that supports your solution.
   

VALUE PROPOSITION: 

1. How are others (competition) solving this problem and how is your solution different?--you can discuss features of your solution such as design, functionality, performance, or customization.  
   

1. What benefits does your solution provide over the competition (value proposition)?--more cost effective, faster, durable, reliable or convenient?
   

1. Explain how your product or service solves a problem for the user.--you can discuss the specific issues your product or service addresses and how it improves the user’s life. 

*** Use the Pitch Builder Graphic Organizer to develop both your elevator pitch and your video. ***

Video Design Suggestions:

The video is used to illustrate your idea visually, while the written component is used to document your idea. These two methods ensure you are engaging as many audiences as possible! 

Video Design Suggestions:

1. Think of your setting.  If filming indoors, do not stand in front of a window. Make sure you film in a well-lit area and the lighting is coming toward you, rather than from behind. 
   

1. Wear appropriate clothing–you are acting as a professional promoting your product/service!
   

1. Use props, illustrations, or a presentation (see requirements under the next bullet point), or anything else that helps describe your product/service.
   

1. You may create a slideshow to accompany your video if you choose.
   

1. Hold the camera at eye level.
   

1. Remain positive and relaxed; smile, emphasize important words, and speak slowly. 
   

1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE–you want to know your pitch well enough that you don’t have to read it from a script.
   

Methods to Record

1. Record on your phone—hold your phone horizontally.
   

1. Record using a platform like PowerPoint, Zoom, Canva, or your computer’s software.
   

Video Length

1. Your pitch video should be no longer than 2 minutes.
   

ProjectBoard File Sizes and File Types

1. Upload your video directly using the Image/Video icon (under 500 MB) or 
   

1. Upload a video from YouTube using the Link icon. (If you upload from YouTube, we encourage you to set the privacy to “Unlisted.” If you set it to “Private,” people will not be able to watch your video.)
   

1. If you are using a Google video please review and follow this guide so people will be able to see your video. 
   
1. Here's how to create a link to a video in Google Drive:
   

1. Open Google Drive and sign in to your Google account
2. Select the video you want to share
3. Right-click on the video and select Share
4. In the pop-up window, you can choose to share the video with specific people or with anyone with the link
5. If you choose to share with specific people, you can enter their email addresses or contact names
6. You can also choose permission settings, such as whether people can view, comment, or edit the video
7. Click Copy link
8. Paste the link wherever you want to share it