JETRO & Cambridge Innovation Center
Furthering Japanese biotech innovation with pitch coaching
We teamed up with JETRO & CIC Cambridge to empower Japanese biotech startups through their annual accelerator program. We helped founders elevate their pitches and hone their communication skills for US partners and investors.
challenge
An entrepreneur's ability to secure funding can hinge on a good pitch, but often founders struggle to effectively articulate their ideas. Furthermore, Japanese founders face the additional challenge of overcoming cultural and language barriers.
INSIGHT
No matter our cultural differences, there’s a universal human desire to connect through stories and be understood. Creating personal connection with your audience and taking responsibility for their understanding are the keys to a powerful pitch.
IMPACT
Using our individualized pitch coaching method, we helped each Japanese biotech founder connect their personal missions and stories to their technical presentation, resulting in powerful, compelling pitches.
01 / OUR APPROACH
Introducing the science of a strong pitch
Human communication is not logical — it’s biological. We partnered with leadership expert John Bates to bring a neurobiology perspective to pitching. This gave the founders the tools to craft compelling Silicon Valley-style pitches for their demo day presentations.
02/ PITCH COACHING
Digging deeper in one on one coaching sessions.
Because no two stories are alike, we tailor our coaching to each founder’s unique background and personality.
During the process, many of them reconnected with the personal experiences that drive their work, like losing a loved one, an inspiring childhood experience, or the desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world. These unexpected insights refreshed their excitement and shaped stories that will cultivate trust and establish emotional credibility.
03/ IN-PERSON TRAINING
Bringing it all together at a day of in-person workshops.
Nonverbal cues are a huge component of public speaking, so we helped the founders develop these essential skills – from body language to nuanced cultural expectations.
In preparation for demo day, we did a day-long workshop where each founder practiced their pitch, received feedback, and worked on their decks. This gave them the tools and confidence to present to investors and industry partners.
SERVICES RENDERED
Workshops
Pitch Coaching
In-Person Training
PROJECT TEAM
Tino Chow / Strategy, Workshops & Coaching
John Bates / Workshops & Coaching
Nick Rock / Coaching & Design Workshop
Mike Valdes / Coaching
Nicole Eckerson / Project Management