APPLICATION DEADLINE: To ensure full consideration, apply HERE by 5 pm on Friday, Oct 20.
Whether you're planning to raise a seed round, or you've successfully raised a round of funding before, if you're looking to learn more about what a pitch deck should entail and work on putting one together, this Pitch Deck Workshop is for you, and you should apply HERE. The Pitch Deck Workshop offers a four-session deep dive into preparing a pitch deck and preparing to engage with potential investors. All participants will be expected to work on their decks during these sessions and in between sessions. These sessions will be led by Gerald Wilson, Director of Entrepreneurship, with assistance from Experts-in-Residence and other Research Park/EnterpriseWorks staff.
Dates/Location: Workshops will happen over the following dates: 10/31, 11/8, 11/15, 11/29 from noon to 1 pm. Lunch will be served. The workshops will be held at EnterpriseWorks, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign. There is free parking available; EnterpriseWorks is served by the Link 24 MTD bus.
Who should participate:
Founders, founding teams, pitching teams
Outcomes:
- Know the purpose of a pitch deck and understand the elements of a compelling pitch deck.
- Mold content into a compelling narrative
- Get a list of questions most commonly asked during the Q&A of a pitch to practice answering
- Leave with a completed or improved deck
Prior preparation:
- A thorough understanding of the problem your company/founding team is addressing
- Feedback from potential customers that the problem is real, and your proposed solution resonates.
- An understanding of your business model. You should be able to articulate how your business will make money.
- Know how much money you will look to raise and how you will spend it.
COMMITMENT FOR THE FULL INTENSIVE WORKSHOP PROGRAM
- At least one person from your team must attend in-person each week.
- There may be homework assignments.
NOTIFICATIONS: Please fill out the application form before 5 pm on Friday, Oct. 20. We will reach out on Oct. 24 to confirm participation.
Questions? Send email to gwilson@illinois.edu or lwbleill@illinois.edu
