117. Cold Start Your Startup Pitch: Hook Investors from the First Second

Most founders waste the most important part of their pitch. It’s such a simple mistake—and so easy to fix.

Here’s the reality: The key moments in any presentation are the beginning and the end. People remember the first and last things you say. But most founders squander those precious first seconds on a boring, unnecessary self-introduction.

Let’s fix that.

Why Your Introduction is Holding You Back

Think about it. You’ve already been introduced before stepping on stage. If you’re in a meeting or on Zoom, they already know who you are. Your company name is probably on your title slide.

So why waste the first thing out of your mouth on:

“Hi, my name is ____, CEO of ____. Thanks for taking the time to hear my pitch today.”

Yawn. 😴 You just lost the audience’s attention before you even got started.

This habit is so ingrained that most founders can’t even practice their pitch without it. But here’s the thing—investors don’t care who you are until they care about what you do.

Take a Page from Hollywood: The Power of the Cold Open

Have you ever watched Saturday Night Live? They don’t start with introductions. They jump right into the comedy before rolling the credits.

Or think about James Bond movies. They always start with an action-packed sequence before the title screen. No introductions—just instant engagement.

Your pitch should work the same way.

Cold Open vs. Standard Intro: Which One Grabs You?

Let’s compare:

Standard Intro:

“Hi, I’m Lance Cottrell, CEO of Feel the Boot. Thanks for taking the time to hear my pitch today. I really appreciate this opportunity.”

Now, let’s try a cold open:

“Fundraising is the moment that breaks most founders. It’s when they realize they’re completely out of their depth and need help. That’s where we come in.”

See the difference? The cold open pulls you in immediately. It starts with a bold statement that sparks curiosity. The first words out of your mouth should deliver impact—not pleasantries.

Own the Room with Strategic Silence

Another trick? The pause.

Before you speak, take a beat. Stand there for a second. Own the space. Let the audience lean in. Silence is powerful.

When you pause before delivering your opening line, you radiate confidence and command attention. It shows strength. It makes people listen.

The Takeaway: Start Strong, Hook Investors

Don’t waste the most valuable seconds of your pitch on empty words. Instead:

✅ Ditch the intro—jump straight into the problem you solve.

✅ Use a cold open—start with impact, like a movie or TV show.

✅ Pause for effect—command attention before you even speak.

Next time you pitch, try it out. I guarantee you’ll feel the energy shift.

Have you used a cold open in your pitch? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how it worked for you! 🚀

Now that you know how to nail your opening, you should check out this video on creating and delivering presentations. It’s a big one!