How do you structure a 3-minute pitch?

A 3-minute pitch isn't a short version of an investor deck. It's its own format, built for a room that's meeting you for the first time and needs a clear next action.

The most effective structure has three parts: the problem you solve in one sentence, proof you're the right person to solve it, and exactly what you're looking for tonight — a technical co-founder, a pilot client, a pre-seed investor.

Avoid opening with your personal backstory. Open with the problem. The room needs to understand in 15 seconds why it should keep listening.

Always close with an actionable ask. "I'm looking for a CTO who can ship an MVP in three months" is far more useful than "we're looking for talent."