Why are founders who avoid buzzwords and rhetorical questions 10x more likely to secure follow-up meetings with investors?
The difference isn't having the most innovative product or the slickest presentation—it's understanding the psychology behind investor decision-making and communicating with the confidence that comes from genuine preparation. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kat Weaver (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katweaver/), founder of Power to Pitch (https://powertopitch.com), about mastering the art of fundraising through clear communication and confident pitching. From winning 22 of 23 pitches to helping founders raise over $50 million in grants and venture capital, Kat shares the psychology behind successful funding conversations and reveals why less than 2% of venture capital goes to US businesses, with only 2.9% of that reaching female founders. Learn how to overcome imposter syndrome, avoid common pitch mistakes, and navigate the challenging landscape of fundraising while building authentic investor relationships that extend far beyond the initial meeting.
Tune in to learn:
- (00:00) From Accidental Entrepreneur to Pitch Coach
- (03:08) Gender Bias in Fundraising: Real Stories and Strategic Responses
- (08:49) The Preparation and Psychology Behind Successful Pitching
- (15:44) Hook Strategies: Avoiding Buzzwords and Rhetorical Questions
- (23:06) Pitching Without Visual Aids and Building Clear Narratives
- (28:30) Competition vs Investment Pitching: Tailoring Your Approach
- (33:26) Mastering the Close: Memorable Endings That Drive Action
- (38:13) Follow-Up Protocols and LinkedIn Networking for Long-Term Success
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
Chapters
- (00:00:00) - How to Build a Business Breakthrough Podcast
- (00:00:33) - Power to Pitch With Kat Weaver
- (00:01:03) - Power to Pitch: How to Get Funded
- (00:02:56) - Have Female Founders Got What They Needed?
- (00:03:35) - The Bias Female Founders Experience While Trying To Get Funding
- (00:08:14) - How To Pitch Your Investor
- (00:11:15) - How to Pitch With Less Confidence
- (00:14:50) - How To Make A Fundment Pitch
- (00:18:56) - AI Sourcing: The Ultimate Search Engine
- (00:19:50) - How To Make an Investment Pitch
- (00:22:25) - How To Write a Good Pitch Deck
- (00:24:40) - The Next Meeting: An Investor Pitch vs. Competition Pitch
- (00:28:48) - How To Manage the End of Your Pitch
- (00:31:03) - Next Steps: Avoid Cliches and Over-Polished Language
- (00:33:38) - How To Write A Memorable Closing Pitch
- (00:37:05) - How to Prepare Your Pitch
- (00:38:42) - B2B Breakthrough: Accelerating Business Growth