The Startup Podcast 10 Fatal Pitch Style Mistakes w/ Henry Innis (Edu)
Crafting a winning pitch isn't just about what you say—it's about how you say it.
Founders often make stylistic mistakes that can sabotage their chances with investors, even if they have a great product or idea. What are these subtle yet critical errors, and how can you avoid them to secure the funding you need?
In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Henry Innis, Co-Founder at Mutinex, to uncover the top 10 fatal stylistic mistakes founders make in their pitches.
They explore why these mistakes can signal inexperience or misunderstanding to potential investors and how to communicate more effectively to build trust and interest.
In this episode, you will:
- Discover the 10 most common pitch style mistakes that can turn investors away.
- Learn the importance of precise language and why terms like "IT" vs. "Engineering" matter.
- Understand why a lengthy pitch deck can harm your credibility and what to include instead.
- Find out why founder-led sales and certain "badges of honor" might be red flags.
- Understand the dangers of describing your product as "innovative" or "revolutionary" without evidence, and learn more effective ways to communicate your unique value proposition.
- Hear why dismissing your competition or claiming you have none can backfire your investors.
- Gain insights into the power of clarity of thought and how it directly impacts your pitch's effectiveness.
Learn what investors are looking for in a pitch from firsthand stories and practical advice from Henry Innis on navigating the investor landscape.
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Key links
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Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/
Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/
Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang