Chris Sacca’s advice to founders on how to pitch and impress investors

Today’s 5 startup fundraising tips come from Chris Sacca, a serial angel investor known for being an early investor in some of the greatest startup success stories. Along with his own venture capital fund, Lowercase Capital, he invested in companies like Instagram, Twitter, Kickstarter, Twilio, Stripe, and Uber. 

We gathered some of his top tips for startups on raising capital:

1. Skip The Pitch Deck & Tell a Tight Story: Investors are interested in hearing about your vision from you, not through the lens of slides. Practice telling your story until you can distill it into two electrifying minutes. Skip the fluff and focus on the core of your idea to let your excitement infect the room.
2. Harness The Power of FOMO: No one likes being left out, and especially not investors. A great pitch makes investors need to be part of your journey. Your job? Make your startup feel like the next big thing they can’t afford to miss. This is not about overselling, though. It’s about presenting a clear and compelling vision that shows why your startup is a rare opportunity. Done right, FOMO can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
3. Show You Believe, Fiercely: Conviction is contagious and founders should radiate it. Clarity and confidence are key drivers in getting investors interested in your idea. if you are not fully convinced of your idea, investors will sense that and you’ll struggle to convert. Invest time in building a rock-solid belief in your vision and let that belief shine through.
4. Sell Yourself as the Secret Sauce: Your startup’s success is not just about the idea; it’s about you. Why are you uniquely positioned to lead this venture? Why should an investor bet on you instead of someone else? Highlight your expertise, track record, and personal connection to the problem you’re solving. Investors want to know they’re backing a team they can trust to deliver.
5. Be Ready With Answers: A great pitch anticipates questions before they’re asked. This includes packing your story with details such as market trends, funding needs, hiring plans, and growth projections. Preparation builds trust. Know your market inside and out and be ready to explain how every dollar will help you hit milestones. That level of readiness increases investor confidence and sets you apart.

References/recommended deep dive: Chris Sacca’s Pitch Advice