// Pitch Prep Package

You’re on Your Way!

Accepting the Prime Time Pitch Challenge was the first step.

Now you need a 99-second pitch video.

We’ll help you make it great.

This is your exciting opportunity to shine, so we’ll prep you for success.

We’ve got resources, videos, interviews, and more to help you totally nail this fun and fulfilling challenge.

Let’s Go!

/ How It Works

  1. Use our resources below to prep for a great pitch

  2. Record your 99-second pitch video

  3. Upload your video to YouTube

  4. Submit your info and video URL to us by end of day (UTC) March 15

  5. Share your pitch voting link with your customers, followers, and friends when voting begins March 18

  6. Get as many views and votes as possible

  7. Complete phases, win prizes, and get visibility for your startup

/ Challenge Rewards

The Prime Time Pitch Challenge begins with you.
Can you rally enough people to vote for your vision?

But then it goes global.
Can you get the most votes in your region?

Here’s what you could win in each phase

Phase 1
99+ Votes

Receive our Founders Live Booster Pack with over $1,000,000 in credits and savings

Phase 2
500+ Votes

Get a mentorship with Nick Hughes, founder and CEO of Founders Live

Phase 3
Most Votes in Region

Compete live in the regional finals of our Prime Time global tournament for a chance to win the Grand Prize worth $10,000 in cash and prizes!

Let’s Get You ready to Pitch!

It all begins with crafting a great 99-second pitch video
- THEN getting people to vote for it!

Nick’s Quick Tips

I created Founders Live for entertainment, education and inspiration. Our goal is to entertain people around the world with a beautiful mix of fun and innovation at an unforgettable event. But it also is an incredible venue for you to hone in on your message, gain valuable feedback and possibly earn new business! Take it from me, a well crafted 99-second pitch can change your life so it’s best to be as prepared as possible.

Here are a few thoughts:

  • Make sure to wrap a storyline within your 99 second pitch

  • What emotion are you tugging on? Humanize it and make it relatable to any audience

  • What’s the problem/solution set? What issue or problem did you discover, who has this problem, and how are you uniquely solving it? Why are you the one to solve it?

  • Your goal is to get the viewers to nod their head in agreement as soon as possible

  • Make sure you include how you make money and some data of usage and growth

  • Don’t end with an investment ask, it feels weird to people who are watching

  • Prepare and practice for 120 seconds so you leave yourself buffer time at the end

  • Your goal = leave them with one major point or thought to ponder and be intrigued by

Here’s a great example of a simple but effective pitch video…

99-Second Pitch Video Example

This video provides helpful tips for both in-person and video Founders Live pitches

How To Nail Your 99-second Founders Live Pitch

Level up your pitch game
with the Story Fruition Pitch Course

Use coupon code FLSTORY2021 for $50 off the $99 Founders Live course, for a final price of $49 - a tremendous value to improve your pitch and increase your chances of getting to the Founders Live Prime Time regional events!

One-on-One private pitch coaching

Want more specific coaching from experts in storytelling, communications, and Founders Live/investor pitching? Check out Story Fruition’s website.

/ Help and Q&A Session for The Challenge + Voting

Nick and Luis recently ran a live session to run through all the ins and outs of getting your 99-second pitch video made, shared, and voted on. They were joined by a few founders with questions, and of course they had some canned questions ready to go as well.

Pitch Tips From Experts and Founders

Check out these pitching and storytelling tips from professional coaches, trainers, and Founders Live competition winners.

You’re ready!
Now Record Your 99-Second Pitch Video

  • Use an app like Zoom, Streamyard, or mmhmm to create your pitch video

  • Edit your video to eliminate awkward silences or distracting noises

  • Keep your background pleasing and free of distracting elements

  • Keep your entire video no longer than 99 seconds!

  • Upload the video to YouTube - you can easily set up an account in seconds if you don’t have one

Almost there!

You did the work.

You created a killer 99-second pitch video.

You uploaded it to YouTube.

Now submit your entry by March 15th!

/ Details

  • Your pitch video must be 99 Seconds (1 min, 39 seconds) or less to qualify for the Prime Time Wild Card event.

  • Videos longer than 99 Seconds (1 min, 39 seconds) can still be uploaded but will not qualify for Prime Time Wild Card event.

  • The company, product, or service must be currently in production, running or in the market and operating. NOT JUST AN IDEA.

  • The company, product, or service must be your business or concept. NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S BUSINESS OR BRAND.

  • SUBMISSION DEADLINE: You can submit your application including YouTube URL until EOD (UTC) March 15.

  • Voting begins March 18!

/ FAQ

  • The timer starts exactly when the video starts and ends when it ends, so the total length of your YouTube video is the determiner.

    99 seconds is 1 minute and 39 seconds (01:39 duration).

    Make every second count!

  • The system will accept videos of any length but only videos of 99 seconds or less are eligible to advance to compete in the Prime Time tournament and win the $25,000 USD prize.

  • Once you’ve submitted your application including your pitch video URL our system will generate a voting page so people can view your pitch and then vote.

    You will receive the URL to this page at the email address you provided in your application before voting begins on October 17th.

    Make sure to always share your voting page URL with your fans, not your YouTube URL

  • If your video hasn’t yet received any votes we may be able to replace your video with the new version. Contact us with your new URL. No guarantees.

    Videos with votes cannot be updated.

  • We have discovered the rate of success of a startup increases the more people who are aware of it and put their support behind it.

    Through the years, we have observed the power of the threshold of approximately 100 people. Eclipsing that level greatly increases momentum and support.

    The threshold is 99 votes instead of 100 because it aligns with our 99-second pitch length.

“Preparing for a founders live pitch showed me how rich our idea was, but also how hard it was to explain in 99 seconds. The experience was transformative.”

— Founders Live presenter, Seattle