Pitching can be a challenging part of launching a startup. It’s a necessary and important way to secure funds, but it needs to be done in a certain way to ensure you’re successful. Entrepreneurs and visionaries that start their own businesses may have great ideas and a business plan, but securing capital can be an entirely different challenge. That’s where business guru and founder of 50Proof Ari Kohan comes in. He has been able to raise over $1 billion for his clients over time, establishing a strong reputation as “the Michael Jordan of pitch decks.”
The clients that Ari helps raise funds for aren’t limited to a specific type. He refers to himself as “stage and industry agnostic,” meaning he is willing to help out companies and startups in any industry, at any point in their growth stage. Ari has worked with companies of all sizes, including the World Health Organization, Microsoft, Discover, and hundreds of smaller organizations. His ability to bring clarity to each client, no matter what type of company they are, is just part of what makes Ari so successful.
A lot of his expertise lies in his ability to take complicated ideas and concepts, understand them fully, then transform them into an effective pitch deck. This innovative approach can transform a classic, everyday pitch to investors into an irresistible business opportunity. Ari works closely with entrepreneurs and company founders to get a full, 360-degree view of their business. He immerses himself in the role, working alongside the leadership to clarify their vision and goals. One of 50Proof’s core values is to focus on “bold simplicity, not complexity.”
While a pitch deck sounds simple enough to create, it can be tough to distill all of an entrepreneur’s bold ideas into just a few slides. Pitch decks are meant to be streamlined yet informative, which can be a delicate balance. Business owners emerge from their process with 50Proof ready to show potential investors why they should take a chance on the company.
There are a few approaches that make up the “secret sauce” that Ari brings to his clients through 50Proof. Not only does he dive in deep to understand the business and answer the question “why?”, he understands what the clients truly need. As a pitch deck guru, he knows the most important information that needs to be included. Ari asks his clients every question that an investor would ask in order to prepare them with the most impactful answers. He helps clients create a fully polished presentation that puts their business in the best light.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of the things Ari Kohan does for his 50Proof clients. His abilities to bring ideas to life and secure funding have earned him teaching gigs around the country. With this solid foundation of success, Ari is able to bring opportunities not only to his clients but himself as well.