How to create a pitch deck and video for EU grant applications
In this article we´ll first cover the official guidelines from the EIC Accelerator of how to create a pitch deck and video to send with the application. Then we post our own recommendations for what to keep in mind when creating a pitch deck and video in general for any grant application, business plan or investor pitch.
Video
From EIC Accelerator
Upload Pitch Video (3min and 250MB max) - Your video should present your team and motivation for your application: tell us about the people, including the ones you miss and still need to find ! Present your innovation, give us a thrill and convince us to work with you! No need to submit a video with sophisticated video effects : just speak clearly!
From Horizon Partners
Script idea for a 3min video:
Team energy is most important.
Pick 1-3 team members to pitch, those who are most connected to the core of the concept and can pitch it in simple language, with a passion, and with understanding for the details.
The first 30 seconds: The problem - sometimes good to start with problem.
The next 2 minutes: Describe your solution / innovation as if to a 10 year old.
Why are you so motivated about this?
Why is it so great? and novel? How will it slightly change the world?
In which details lies the brilliance?
List the details 1, 2, 3. As if each can possibly make a dent in the world.
How are you better than existing solutions? Which solutions?
For whom is it so great? Short example about a client who thirsts for your solution and why?
The last 30 seconds to 1 minute:
Important: Status now - drop names, team, victories
Important: How much are you asking? Why so crucial to get this grant?
Take from the above what‘s most applicable for you.
Use animation to show your innovation, but only if it‘s clear and concise.
Pitch Deck
From EIC Accelerator
Upload Pitch Deck (PDF, 'max 10 slides) - Your pitch should wrap up your project. More importantly: tell and sell us your story! Give us a thrill and convince us to support your innovation! No need to submit a pitch deck with sophisticated visual effects : just be clear about your project!
From Horizon Partners
Below is an example of a pitch deck structure with 11 slides. We recommend creating a pitch deck along these lines, or at least that touch upon these issues even if slide names and structure may vary somewhat. Note that sometimes grant applications will provide a template, in this case we recommend following that template when you create your pitch.
Example of a pitch deck structure we like:
Remember - for both video and pitch deck:
If you’re applying for EIC Accelerator, they look for game-changing, disruptive, high risk / high reward ideas, that are capital intensive. You need to show you have no other ways to get funded, and high profitability later on.
In general:
GIVE. STRONG. DETAILS.
Don’t use too many adjectives.
Don’t focus on your opinion of things.
Your world is full of truths and facts - talk objectively about those best suited to sell your proposal.
Don’t generalize, state or claim, especially if it regards your future vision or your own desired capabilities. It’s off putting for the reader if you claim stuff that’s obvious nobody can say for certain.
If your sentence, section, slide or point doesn‘t add something to what most adults already know or can imagine, change it or take it out.
To download a free pitch deck template composed with our tried and tested methods, fill in the form below.
Good luck composing a great video and pitch deck!