Script it in five beats: hook, problem, product, proof, ask. Record on a phone at eye level, near a window, with a clip-on microphone. Show the product, not slides. Keep it to 60 seconds, add captions, and end with one clear next step. Sound quality matters more than video quality.
- The first three seconds decide whether anyone watches the rest.
- Five beats: hook, problem, product, proof, ask.
- Bad audio loses viewers faster than bad video: use a clip-on mic.
- Most viewers watch muted; add captions.
- Show the product working; screen recordings beat slides.
What should the script say?
| Beat | Seconds | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | 0–5 | "Restaurants throw away 30% of what they buy. We cut that in half." |
| Problem | 5–15 | Who suffers and how, in one concrete example |
| Product | 15–35 | Screen recording of it working |
| Proof | 35–50 | One or two numbers: users, retention, revenue |
| Ask | 50–60 | "We're meeting investors who back food tech, let's talk." |
Check what you may say publicly about a raise before you publish. See can you post about your fundraise?
How do you record it?
- Camera: phone, rear camera, at eye level, vertical for mobile feeds.
- Light: face a window; avoid light behind you.
- Sound: a clip-on mic, quiet room, soft furnishings.
- Framing: head and shoulders, eyes in the top third.
- Takes: record each beat separately; cut together.
What makes investors stop watching?
- Long intros ("Hi, my name is, and today…").
- Reading slides aloud.
- Market-size claims without proof.
- Music louder than the voice.
- No product shown.
Where should you use it?
In cold emails, on your profile, in your data room and on discovery platforms. On OBridge, the pitch video is the centre of a founder's profile. See cold emails to investors and signals investors trust.
What does a full 60-second script look like?
(0–5s) "Small restaurants throw away a third of what they buy. We cut that in half."
(5–15s) "Owners order by gut feeling. Too much spoils; too little loses sales."
(15–35s) [Screen recording] "Our app reads past orders and the weather and suggests tomorrow's order. One tap to send it to suppliers."
(35–50s) "Forty restaurants use it daily. Waste is down 47% on average, and 90% are still using it after two months."
(50–60s) "We're building the ordering layer for independent restaurants. If that's your space, let's talk."
How do you edit it?
- Cut every pause and filler word; speed matters.
- Add captions in large, high-contrast text.
- Use simple on-screen labels for numbers.
- Keep music quiet or remove it.
- Export vertical (9:16) for mobile feeds and horizontal for email or decks if needed.
How do you test it?
Show it to five people outside your company without explanation. Ask them to repeat what you do and why it matters. If they cannot, rewrite the first 15 seconds. Then check the analytics where you post it: where do viewers drop off? Fix that moment first.
What should a video never claim?
Guaranteed returns, regulatory approval you do not have, or customers you have not signed. A video is a public statement; treat it with the same care as a written offer document, especially if you are raising.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a pitch video be?
Around 60 seconds for a first impression. Longer demos can follow after interest.
What equipment do I need for a pitch video?
A recent phone, a clip-on microphone and natural light are enough.
Should I use slides in a pitch video?
Show the product instead. Slides read aloud lose viewers.
Should a pitch video mention the amount I am raising?
Be careful: depending on the exemption you use, publicly advertising a raise may not be allowed. Check before publishing.
Let investors find what you're building.
OBridge is an early-access discovery network for founders and investors. Post your build, share your progress, and let verified investors mark you Investable — a private, no-amount signal of interest, not an offer or a commitment.
Join the waitlist →Sources and further reading. Y Combinator Library; SEC, General solicitation.
Educational material, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules and figures change; confirm with qualified counsel or a tax adviser in your jurisdiction before acting. Last updated October 6, 2026.