Key Takeaways from the Final HiTech 2025 Webinar Led by Cláudia Barbosa

On May 27, 2025, HiSeedTech hosted the final webinar of the HiTech 2025 program, and the topic couldn’t have been more timely: “The Art of Pitching.” As the Closing Session approaches on June 26 at Teatro Thalia, this session — led by Cláudia Barbosa, Chief Operating Officer at HiSeedTech — aimed to equip participating teams with the tools to clearly and confidently present their business cases to a non-scientific audience, namely businesspeople such as HiSeedTech Associates, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Why Mastering the Pitch Matters

Cláudia set the tone with a powerful message: “You may have the greatest idea in the world – completely novel – but if you can’t convince others, it doesn’t matter.” Pitching is more than presenting slides — it’s about storytelling, clarity, and connection. For deep tech researchers, this means translating complex scientific concepts into narratives that business audiences can understand, relate to, and act upon.

Four Steps to a Great Pitch: 

1. Before the Pitch: Script First, Slides Later
The foundation of a strong pitch lies in preparation. Cláudia stressed the importance of crafting a compelling narrative before opening PowerPoint. Define the key message, write a structured script, and clarify the problem your innovation solves.

2. The 9 C’s of an Effective Pitch
Adapted from Pat Drew’s framework, these are the key ingredients of a successful pitch:

• Concise: Deliver your message in as few words as possible.
• Clear: No jargon or acronyms.
• Compelling: Present the pain point your solution addresses.
• Credible: Explain why you are the right team.
• Conceptual: Stay high-level; avoid technical deep dives.
• Concrete: Use specific, tangible examples.
• Customized: Tailor to your audience.
• Consistent: Align your story, solution, and delivery.
• Conversational: Start a conversation and set the hook so people want to talk to you after your pitch.

3. Slide Design Tips
Cláudia shared practical advice for building effective visual aids:

• Follow Guy Kawasaki’s 10/20/30 rule (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30-point font).
• Use minimal text, strong visuals, and avoid data overload.
• Back up your claims with evidence (validation, partners, testimonials)
• Maintain consistency in formatting and design.
• Ask “So what?” to ensure relevance on every slide.
• Avoid animation overload, busy layouts, or unnecessary detail.

4. Delivery Techniques
Beyond content, how the pitch is delivered is just as important:

• Practice body language: stand firm, move naturally, use open gestures.
• Maintain eye contact and avoid reading from slides.
• Use tone of voice to reinforce key points — slow down, emphasize, and breathe.
• End with a clear call to action and a confident “thank you”.
• Rehearse extensively — timing, tone, and flow all matter.

Cláudia’s closing advice? Practice, personalize your pitch, and make it memorable. She encouraged participants to study great examples from successful startups and to take feedback seriously.

HiTech 2025 participants left the webinar not just with tools, but with the mindset to transform complex science into compelling business opportunities.

About Cláudia Barbosa:
Cláudia Barbosa is the Chief Operating Officer at HiSeedTech, where she oversees operations and leads programs focused on deep tech and startup acceleration. With over 10 years of experience in innovation management, business planning, and entrepreneurship, she also manages the South3E (S3E) project, supporting research teams and startups across Southern Europe. Cláudia holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from ISCTE and a degree in Management and Industrial Engineering.

Join us at the HiTech 2025 Closing Session – June 26, Teatro Thalia, Lisbon. Register here

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