Playbook: Hackathon Pitches

By Ian, TKS Ottawa

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Purpose: To help you nail your pitch presentations and communicate effectively.

Highlights ☝️

Understand your end goal (this isn't an investment pitch)
It all comes down to the pitch, it doesn't matter how good your idea is if your pitch is bad
Get to the solution/demo quickly
Do you have data validating this is a problem people care about?
Bring enthusiasm and tone changes to emphasize points
Every slide should help communicate your point- high standards
Show mockups / demo your solution
End STRONG

Examples Of High Standard Pitches

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Videos

Pitch Framework 🖼

Note: The timing for each section is generic. If possible, spend as much time on the solution as you can.

Do: Focus on your demo and product.

Don't: Do not make a 5 slide presentation with these points. The framework should give you a good understanding of flow, add as many slides as you want.

1. Intro 🚀

Time: 30s

  • Grab our attention
  • Be creative with how you start
  • Don't start with "Hi Judges.. my name is..."
  • Tell a story or use interesting thoughts and statements "Imagine a world where..." "Ever since I was 8 I have been obsessed with ..." "It has been X amount of years without a solution to cancer. In the same time we have eradicated a, b, c"

2. Problem 🤔

Time: 30s

  • What specific problem did you identify?
  • What's the current situation?
  • Why does this problem exist?

3. Impact → Why this matters 🤷‍♀️

Time: 30s-1min

  • Who cares about this problem?
  • What's the big deal?
  • How do we know this is an important problem to solve?
  • Validation (use data)

4. Product / Solution 🧠

Time: 2min

  • Introduce your solution or product
  • Judges should know what your solution is within the first 30 seconds. Don't just talk about it, show them
  • Don't be afraid to go technical
  • Show an App mockup (product mockup) → UI/UX, wireframes, renderings, drawings .
  • Demo the product you have built in real time (bonus).

5. Close 👊

Time: 15-30s

  • Close strong
  • Tie things together
  • Make an impression on the judges
  • What does this mean for the industry / the world?
  • End confidently (do not end with... "and..ya that's it"

Pro tips 💪

  • Practice a lot (you should know your pitch inside-out but it should not sound robotic)
  • Your demo is 🔑.
  • Bring enthusiasm and personality, don't be BORING!
  • Your pitch will be with your slide deck (I recommend using loom to record your screen and face. However, you can choose to make the video in whatever way you want)
  • Do not write a script and read it (We will be able to tell, I guarantee you)
  • Apply high standards to every slide and don't give the judges an excuse to be distracted by ugly or unnecessary content
  • Use analogies or storytelling to your advantage to hook in the judges and explain complex topics
  • Speak slowly and don't mumble
  • BOSS mentality! (How do you think 27 year old you will pitch in a boardroom?)
  • Do not ask for money, this isn't an investment pitch
  • Take a look at the video playbook for lighting tips when you record

Resources 🏋️‍♀️

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Helpful playbooks