Reactor Podcast

Deeptech and Climate Tech Startup 101 - lesson 03 - Come on and Pitch Again

Jerome Season 1 Episode 12

Hello everybody!

How do you create a deeptech or climate tech startup? You ask.

I have got the question SO MANY TIMES
and since we can't all get into deeptech accelerators,
I thought that..

Well, I'll give it a shot in a series of videos.
Deeptech & Climate Tech startup 101.

Reactor is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



This is the third one. The delicious art of pitching your startup.

To your grandma, investors and customers. The last two are more important. Even if you love grandma.



Here is the episode transcript


Deeptech & Climate Tech Startup 101 - Episode 3: Perfecting Your Pitch



Welcome back to Reactor! I’m Jerome, and in today’s episode, we’re going to tackle one of the most crucial skills every entrepreneur must master: pitching.

Whether you are CTO, CEO, or CRO, it does not matter.

Whether you’re talking to investors, potential customers, or even strangers on the street, you need to be ready to pitch your idea effectively and with confidence.

Here are the things we are going to cover today:

2. Understanding the Importance of a Pitch

  • Why a Pitch Matters
  • Key Elements of an Effective Pitch

3. The Elevator Pitch

  • Crafting Your 1-Line Pitch
  • Expanding to a 3-Line Pitch

4. The 5-Minute Pitch

  • Structuring Your Narrative:
    • Introduction to the Problem
    • Presenting Your Solution
    • Highlighting Unique Value
    • Showing Traction
    • Introducing Your Team
    • Strong Call to Action

5. The 10-Minute Pitch

  • Detailed Pitch Components:
    • Problem and Solution Expansion
    • Market Opportunity
    • Business Model
    • Go-to-Market Strategy
    • Financial Projections
    • Risks and Mitigation
    • Long-Term Vision
    • Clear Ask

6. Practice and Feedback

  • Importance of Practice
  • Techniques for Practicing
  • Implementing Feedback

7. Recap and Final Thoughts

  • Summary of Key Points
  • Encouragement for Improvement

[Scene 2: Understanding the Importance of a Pitch]

****Your pitch is your first impression, and in many cases, it might be your only chance to grab someone's attention.

A great pitch isn't just about selling your product; it's about conveying your vision, your passion, and why your idea matters.

Remember, attention spans are short.

You need to make an impact in the first few seconds.

Let’s break down how to do this.


The Elevator Pitch - 1 Line, 3 Lines



****First, let’s start with the elevator pitch.

Imagine you’re in an elevator with someone who could change your startup’s future.

You only have a few seconds—

what do you say?

  1. The 1-Line Pitch: This is your most concise pitch.

It should capture the essence of your idea in a single sentence.

For example: "We help companies reduce their carbon footprint by 50% in one year through our AI-powered platform."

  1. The 3-Line Pitch: If you have a little more time, expand your pitch to three lines.

This version provides a bit more context.

For example: "We’re a deeptech startup that uses AI to help companies reduce their carbon footprint by 50% in one year.

Our platform analyzes energy usage and suggests actionable improvements.

We’re currently working with three major corporations and looking to expand."

Practice these pitches until they feel natural.

The goal is to be able to deliver them smoothly and confidently, no matter where you are or who you're talking to.


Th