In the business of life science and biotech, you might only get a moment to offer your ideas. Whether that’s at a conference or a networking event, you should be prepared to explain a simplified version of your ideas that captures the attention of key stakeholders. That’s your elevator pitch.
Crafting a compelling elevator pitch is an essential skill for anyone in the fast-paced world of life sciences and biotech. An effective elevator pitch can make the difference between sparking interest and being overlooked. In just a few sentences, you need to convey the core of your idea, its potential impact, and why it matters—all while engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression. This article will guide you through the process of developing a winning elevator pitch, offering practical tips and insights to ensure you can confidently present your ideas when opportunity knocks.
An elevator pitch is a statement, a short description of about 30 seconds, that introduces yourself, an idea, or a concept. The best way to think about an elevator pitch is to think about how well you can pitch anything within the timeframe of riding an elevator, hence the name elevator pitch. This conversation should leave an interesting and memorable experience with the other person by explaining what makes you, your organization, your product, or your research important. The key is to distinguish yourself uniquely within these 30 seconds and at the very least, by the end of giving your elevator pitch, you want to have made a connection or impression on your audience.
In the fast-paced world of life sciences, the ability to effectively communicate your ideas is paramount. Whether you're pitching your research to potential investors, networking at a conference, or simply explaining your work to colleagues, having a concise and compelling elevator pitch ready to go can make all the difference. Crafting a winning elevator pitch requires careful consideration and practice, but with the right approach, you can confidently convey the value of your work in just a few short moments.
Elevator pitches are good to practice and have ready at any time to market yourself. A well-developed elevator pitch can assist you in getting your point across while making it easier to ask to stay connected. In any instance, you never know what event you might be at where you’re introduced to a prospective job opportunity or new networking connection. For this reason, you want to identify the type of elevator pitches you might need. Knowing when to use an elevator pitch and for who, can help you develop the different ones that cater to your audience. Common types of elevator pitches you might practice include:
You might be wondering how to integrate each of these elements and what should be included in your overall statement. Keep each element in mind, while reading and developing how you would write your elevator pitch.
🔬Learn About: How to Sell Yourself in an Interview
Similar to practicing for an interview, or preparing to share who you are with someone else, understanding yourself, your research, or your life science ideas, is a critical part of creating an effective elevator pitch. To effectively deliver this message, self-reflection is a good first step. When reflecting, try and understand what it is that you are trying to introduce, why it is important to you, and why you are motivated to pursue this idea.
By understanding your motivation and purpose, you will be better prepared to present yourself in a confident way that accurately represents why you are giving the elevator pitch to begin. The following questions are the most simple parts, that should be integrated into an elevator pitch, for it to be effective:
Who am I?
What do I do?
What do I ask?
These questions are surface-level responses that better exhibit what should be addressed in the elevator pitch. In each question, we can learn how to properly tie together our knowledge, skills, and experiences. This goal will then illustrate to our audience how our abilities prepare us for what we are trying to pitch forward.
To answer “Who am I” the best way is to pick adjectives that begin to describe you. Try and imagine yourself from a third-person perspective. How would another person describe who you are? Create a tailored list that is appropriate to the audience you will be addressing. In this list, include qualities that can be fitting for the position.
For example, in a professional networking situation, a chemist shares: “I am a baker and a researcher.” Her passions show she is detail-oriented with an understanding that everything in the recipe impacts the final result. In research, every detail in the experiment can drastically change trends, patterns, and final conclusions. This example exemplifies her field concentration, along with her co curricular activities, creativity, and personality. These are all great traits, which can potentially make anyone a stronger candidate.
When answering “What do I do,” you want this part to build off of your “Who am I.” When you get here, focus on one to two items that will remind your audience who you are. But, keep in mind you have about 30 seconds.
Proceed by sharing the skills and experiences that drive your career focus. Make sure you’re answering what you do, and why you do what you do. Consider how you can make a connection with the person by sharing a deeper level of how you understand your career. Share your goals and priorities that inspire and propel you forward in your position.
For instance, our chemist shares “my ability to write recipes has contributed to my success in writing research protocols that accelerate protein refolding. By developing my biochemical understanding of the body I can contribute to advances in the medical field.” Skill and passion have been demonstrated here. Your skills and passions are valued components that should be answered in this section. The elevator pitch should specifically answer: “What skills will you bring to the job or internship positions, and how did you gain them?” Consider conveying what drives your career goals and interests, or inclines you to pursue discovery and innovation in your field.
It’s more valuable to end by asking a question because it leaves room open to start a conversation. The question could be simple, such as a request for advice on how to develop in the field. It could also be a request that requires further exchange of sharing information.
You could also ask for their contact, which you never know when you’ll need. If it seems reasonable, sharing with your audience why you want to connect with them, or why you are at the event and chose to speak with them could all be helpful moments that open more possibilities. For instance, a student getting ready to graduate shares “I am at industry night seeking a career in biotechnology manufacturing. Could you please share with me about your company, and if you have any opening positions in this line of work?” with a company they want to work for. This opens the floor for potential job offers, networking, or advice from the company of interest.
🔬 Watch: Sample Elevator Pitch
No matter what type of elevator pitch you’re preparing and practicing, each one should contain the same five common elements. It can take time to develop a strong elevator pitch that combines enthusiasm and a strong manner of speaking. So, when working on your elevator pitch be sure to practice your presentation and make sure it includes the following components:
Short and Crisp
Capture Attention
Concise and Clear
State problems and offer solutions
Highlight the features
You might be wondering how to integrate each of these elements and what should be included in your overall statement. By keeping each of these elements in mind, you should be on track to writing and developing a strong elevator pitch. For further assistance, here are some tips on how to convey yourself in an elevator pitch format:
Know Your Audience: Before crafting your elevator pitch, understand who you’ll be speaking to. Tailor your elevator pitch to their specific interests and needs, whether they’re investors, fellow scientists, or industry professionals. Research their backgrounds to ensure your elevator pitch resonates with them.
Start with a Strong Hook: Capture your audience’s attention with a compelling opening statement, such as a thought-provoking question, a startling statistic, or a brief anecdote. This will pique their curiosity and make them eager to learn more.
Clearly Define the Problem: Once you have their attention, clearly articulate the problem your research or company aims to solve. Make it relatable and easy to understand, even for those unfamiliar with your field. A vivid depiction of why the problem matters will help underscore the importance of your work.
Present Your Solution: Introduce your research, project, or company as the solution to the problem. Highlight the key features or innovations that set your work apart and make it uniquely positioned to address the challenge. Keep it concise, focusing on the most compelling aspects.
Demonstrate the Value Proposition: Explain how your work benefits society, advances scientific knowledge, or drives commercial success. Use specific examples or case studies to illustrate potential outcomes, showing why your work is worth investing in or supporting.
Highlight Achievements and Milestones: Mention any relevant accomplishments or milestones, such as publications, grants, or partnerships. This adds credibility to your elevator pitch and reinforces the progress your work has made toward its goals.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your elevator pitch until it feels natural and polished. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and body language to ensure you come across as confident and enthusiastic. Practice in various settings to gain comfort and flexibility in your delivery.
Solicit Feedback: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or industry professionals. Honest opinions and suggestions can help you refine your elevator pitch and make it even more impactful.
Be Flexible and Adaptive: While it’s essential to have a well-prepared elevator pitch, be ready to adapt it to different situations and audiences. Tailor your message on the fly based on the feedback and interests of your audience, keeping it relevant and engaging.
Follow Up and Build Relationships: After delivering your elevator pitch, follow up with your audience. Exchange contact information and continue the conversation beyond the initial meeting. Building genuine relationships is key to turning your elevator pitch into meaningful opportunities and collaborations.
When crafting an elevator pitch, it's crucial to tailor your message depending on whether you're pitching for your company as a whole, a specific product, or yourself as an individual. This section focuses specifically on creating an elevator pitch for your company—distinct from promoting a single product or personal expertise.
When pitching on behalf of a larger organization, your aim is to communicate the overarching value and mission of the company, rather than the features of a particular product or your personal qualifications. The key is to present a concise and compelling narrative that encapsulates what your company stands for, what it does, how it does it, and who it serves.
Here are four essential questions to consider when crafting a company-focused elevator pitch:
This question is about defining your company’s identity in the market. Unlike pitching a product, where you focus on specific features or benefits, here you need to convey the core mission or value proposition of the entire organization. For a life science startup, this might involve stating what innovative solutions or services your company offers within the industry.
After establishing who your company is, you should explain what it does and why it matters. This is your chance to articulate your company’s value proposition. Highlight what makes your company unique and essential within the life science or biotech industry, rather than just diving into the specifics of a single product.
Here, you briefly outline how your company delivers on its mission. This isn’t about diving into technical details but rather about summarizing the innovative approach or unique methods your company uses to achieve its goals. Keep it broad yet impactful, reflecting the overall strategy rather than individual product functionalities.
Finally, identify your company’s target market. Unlike a product elevator pitch, which might target a specific consumer segment, this answer should reflect your company’s broader audience or client base. It’s about showing that your company understands and serves a specific niche within the life sciences sector, positioning itself as a leader or innovator in that space.
By addressing these questions, you can create a compelling and marketable elevator pitch that effectively communicates the value and vision of your company, setting the stage for meaningful conversations with potential investors, partners, or stakeholders.
Do you have a great company in the bioscience or medtech industry? Do you need wet-lab and/or fabrication space to develop and test your product?
