Work through all twelve before your next pitch. If you can’t answer one cleanly, that’s the thing to fix this week — not after the meeting.
I. Narrative & Positioning
1. Problem–solution clarity. Can you explain the problem you solve and for whom in under 30 seconds? Investors decide interest in the first minute.
2. Market size & timing. A credible TAM / SAM / SOM with sources. “$1B market” without evidence kills credibility instantly.
3. Competitive positioning. Name 3–5 competitors and articulate why you win. “No competition” is a red flag, not a strength.
II. Financials & Metrics
4. Three-year financial model. Revenue projections, unit economics, burn rate, runway. Investors want to see you understand your own numbers.
5. Use-of-funds breakdown. Exactly how will the investment be deployed? Vague categories like “growth” get rejected. Be specific to the dirham.
6. Key metrics & traction. MRR, CAC, LTV, churn, or pipeline value. Even pre-revenue founders need leading indicators that prove momentum.
III. Structure & Governance
7. Cap table & legal structure. Is the cap table clean? Is the entity properly set up (ADGM, DIFC, mainland)? Messy structure delays or kills deals.
8. Founder vesting & agreements. Are founder shares vested? Is there a shareholders’ agreement? Investors will not proceed without these.
9. IP & regulatory compliance. Is IP protected or protectable? Are you compliant with relevant UAE / sector regulations? Diligence will surface gaps.
IV. Pitch Execution
10. Deck quality (10–15 slides). Clean design, clear story arc, no text walls. Your deck is the first impression — it decides whether you get a meeting.
11. Ask & terms clarity. How much are you raising, at what valuation, on what instrument (SAFE, equity)? Ambiguity signals inexperience.
12. Founder story & team slide. Why are you the team to build this? Regional investors bet heavily on founders. Your credibility slide matters more than you think.