Last week on Dragons’ Den, Derry Green received four offers from the Dragons for his business, The Secret Glamping Garden. This disruptive glamping brand, founded in 2020, has taken the market by storm with 18-month waiting lists for their luxury Love Island-inspired pods in West Lancashire. As a mentor and someone who has coached countless others to pitch for investment, I can attest to the importance of certain key factors in a successful investment pitch.
Firstly, scalability is paramount. Founders often focus too much on the business as it stands now, forgetting to consider future growth opportunities. Investors are looking for substantial returns on their investment and need to see a realistic plan that will deliver within a reasonable time frame.
Secondly, plausibility is crucial. Future projections must be based on sound logic with a credible rationale, and all associated costs must be considered. Glossing over details in the financials and growth plan might indicate a lack of attention to detail or incompetence to the investor.
Lastly, investors need to trust the person behind the business. Personality and credibility are key factors here, particularly for early-stage businesses with limited demonstrable success. Body language, how you respond to perceived criticism, and your attitude are all crucial in conveying your capability and creating a sense of trust.
Overall, the successful investment pitch takes all these factors into consideration, and offers a robust plan that is scalable, plausible, and trustworthy.
