Whether you’re pitching to investors at a business plan competition, angel group meeting or one-on-one, your goal is to interest them enough so they want to know more about you and about your company.

“You need to present a compelling business case that makes them believe not only that your company will generate significant returns on their investment, but also that you have the capability to execute that vision,” according to Amy Millman, president of Springboard Enterprises, an accelerator for women-led businesses in technology, media and life sciences. Millman should know, because for more than 15 years, the organization she heads has been helping women raise financing from venture capitalists (VCs) and angels.