The Four Phases of a Pitch

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

The successful startup pitch goes through four phases.

Start by capturing their imagination.

This could be a bold statement, such as we can solve cancer within ten years.

This sets the context for the problem to be solved.

Next, show your solution and how it will achieve the goal just set forth.

Show how the solution works at a high level.

Highlight the value proposition you have.

Next, make the case that shows how your business will be successful.

This includes the team and what they bring to the table.

Highlight the current traction.

This shows product and market validation -- the product works and customers will pay for it.

Finally, give the investor a call to action.

Instead of asking for the funding today, encourage them to learn more about the business.

This is basically asking for the next meeting.

Invite them to join the conversation.

There’s a natural arc to good pitches that takes the investor through your story.

Consider how to implement these four phases in your startup pitch.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

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For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
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In this episode of Investor Connect, we sit down with Ram Kolluri, Founder and Chief Investment Strategist at Expo-Wealth based in Austin, Texas. Ram shares his insights on navigating today’s wealth management landscape and how he's helping high-net-worth individuals access institutional-grade strategies. We talk about balancing traditional portfolio construction with exposure to private markets, and how families are increasingly looking for both performance and purpose. As Ram puts it, it’s not just about doing well — it's about doing good while doing it.

Ram dives into how Expo-Wealth approaches alternative investments like venture capital and private equity, especially in a world where clients demand real-time access, personalized dashboards, and responsiveness at the speed of a text message. He also discusses the evolution of investor education and how overcoming the fear of illiquidity is more about trust, communication, and introducing alternatives gradually. As the next generation steps up to manage family assets, Ram sees a growing appetite for impact, AI-driven opportunities, and proven sponsors with deep track records. The firm’s role, he says, is part educator, part fiduciary, and sometimes even part psychologist.

Looking ahead, we explore where the wealth management space is going — from the massive $50–60 trillion wealth transfer ahead to the increasing demand for transparency, digital integration, and high-touch relationships. Ram also hints at the next chapter for Expo-Wealth: blending high-caliber investment access with seamless technology and client empowerment.

Visit Expo-Wealth at expo-wealth.com/

Reach out to at rkolluri@expo-wealth.com , www.linkedin.com/in/ram-kolluri-7535396/ , and on 6099154338

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Researching Investors for Your Fundraise

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Before launching your fundraiser campaign, make sure to research your investor prospects.

Start with those who invest in your startup stage and sector.

It’s pointless to reach out to investors who have an investment thesis completely out of scope for your startup.

Once you have the investors who invest in your sector and stage, drill down to those who invest in your type of business.

Healthcare, for example, is a broad sector with many subsectors and applications.

Look for those who fund your type of business.

Next, check their geographical preference.

Some investors only invest in their local region, while others invest nationally.

Next, look for the right point of contact.

Who is the one most likely to have an interest in your deal?

VC funds often have multiple general partners.

Look for the right partner who is the best point of contact.

In the initial call, make it a two-way conversation.

Ask questions about what the investor looks for in a startup, as well as answer their questions.

This demonstrates you are working with them to make sure this is a good fit.

Consider these points in researching and contacting investors for your fundraising.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Music courtesy of Bensound.