TechCrunch Startup News How to make your startup stand out in a crowded market, according to investors
Dec 30, 2025
Three savvy investors share the secrets to crafting a winning pitch deck. They caution against buzzword overload, urging founders to avoid empty jargon. Key questions revolve around market size, founder fit, and validation, all vital for potential billion-dollar success. For AI startups, they suggest showcasing domain expertise and a robust competitive strategy. Honesty about competitors is crucial for credibility. Their final advice? Stay current, build your network, and focus intensely on product development.
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Episode notes
Kill The Buzzword Overload
- Avoid buzzword overload like repeatedly saying "AI" in your pitch deck.
- Meta Agarwal warns genuine innovation shows itself without making buzzwords the core pitch.
Three Questions Investors Always Ask
- Investors distill pitch evaluation into three core questions: market size, founder fit, and validation.
- Jody Bonsall says these determine whether a company could become a billion-dollar business.
Explain Why You Would Win
- Investors want to know why this founder is uniquely suited to win the market.
- Bonsall notes uniqueness can come from special team members or distinct skills.