7 minutes with : Charlie Caruso | Pitchn

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Charlie Caruso

Company

Pitchn | Managing Director

Pitchn offers Australian business and startup communities the opportunity to review and assess their current business model(s), financial position, risk profile, investment case from the perspective of prospective future investors. It’s not just about making the message look pretty, pitches must tick all the boxes and leave the investor wanting more. Our combined experience reviewing investment proposals for over 15 years, in combination with our marketing backgrounds, enable the Pitchn team the unique ability to offer high quality, “investor ready” presentations.

Short Bio

Charlie Caruso is a passionate disrupter, and social entrepreneur who has a flare for communications.

Charlie is the Managing Director of Pitchn, as well as a sought after speaker, author, producer, business consultant, and disruption and innovation specialist, where she merges her background in business strategy with her passion for communications to work on projects that inspire.

LinkedIn Profile

Biggest rookie mistake(s) made by people pitching to investors?

  • Being overly cautious of IP protection after a CA or NDA has already been signed;
  • Over-valuing their company with / equity on offer to investors;
  • Inadequate financial information on presentations

How does a pitch blow you away?

Great, exciting idea that is interesting and has obvious value to the market place, presented simply, with accurate data.

In order to pitch to you, I would need to….

Not be an existing client – I won’t invest in clients pitches for ethical / conflict of interest reasons.

Best advice to prospective “pitchers”

  • Know what you are talking about
  • Dress sharp
  • Don’t overkill with information – only include bare minimum

A great pitch…..

Leaves investors wanting more

How many people should be in the “pitch team”?

Hard to say – more than four would be pushing it. Most important that key members responsible for making the venture happen are present for the pitch.

During a pitch, I am really looking at…..

You – not the slide. The presentation I like to have read before, usually it’s what has lead to your invite. Now you’re pitching – time to impress me.

Ventures/ideas I like best……

Hope to change the world and make it a better, simpler place.

A Pitch deck should be no longer than….

it takes to get your message across and provide analysis of business case and financial position.

Score out of 10 (10 being extremely important) how significant is a well presented, high quality pitch deck?

8/10 – it’s not everything, but it counts for a lot, often being the difference between a meeting or not.

Don’t bother pitching for funds if you….

Aren’t prepared to put in some of your own money / exposure yourself to some level of risk.

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