How to Demonstrate Traction to Investors: A Founder’s Guide
Showing traction is critical to getting funded, but what is it and how do you prove it?
Learn to craft a compelling video pitch that captures investors' attention and secures funding.
In the fragmented world of early-stage fundraising, a strong video pitch can do more than explain your product — it can open investor doors before you’ve even stepped into a room. With founders competing for attention in an oversaturated investment market, clarity, confidence and conciseness are more than helpful — they’re non-negotiable.
This guide walks you through the structure and substance of a 5-minute video pitch that gets early-stage investors interested — and makes them want to hear more.
Founders today are increasingly opting for short-form video pitches to communicate their business vision. And investors are leaning in. Why? Because a pitch on video does two things: it accelerates first impressions, and it humanises the business behind the numbers.
Whether you’re reaching out to angel syndicates, crowdfunding platforms, or professional brokers, a well-crafted video pitch allows you to:
Kieran Lowley, director and producer and the co-founder of TigerSpoon Media, a video production firm who have created many pitch videos for startups, told us why the video pitch is becoming more important:
"In today’s oversaturated investment landscape, grabbing attention quickly isn’t optional — it’s essential. A compelling investment video, tailored specifically to your business, can make all the difference. It should showcase your key strengths while keeping a human, relatable tone. In our experience, the most successful campaigns are powered by videos that are dynamic, engaging, and entertaining — cutting through the noise with clarity, creativity, and impact."
You have 30 seconds to earn attention. Lead with urgency, relevance or emotion — ideally all three. This is where you connect with the problem your startup is solving.
Example:
“Every year, 10 million trees are cut down for wallpaper production. At WallsTech, we’ve developed a digital alternative that’s sustainable, affordable, and scalable — and we’re changing the interior design industry from the ground up.”
🔑 Key Tip: Don’t open with your credentials. Open with why this matters.
Investors want to know: What are you solving, and how are you solving it?
Example:
“Our software lets users apply and customise wallpapers digitally — with zero waste and endless design flexibility. It’s a product that’s cheaper than paint, better for the planet, and built for today’s remote-first decorators.”
Is this a niche idea or a scalable opportunity? Back your claims with numbers and relevance.
Example:
“The global wallpaper market is worth £1.3 billion. But our tech doesn’t just compete with wallpaper — we’re eating into the £100B+ paint and interior design space. With growing consumer pressure for sustainability, we’re meeting the moment.”
📊 Pro Tip: Use overlays or visual graphics to show market scale — don't make the viewer do the mental maths.
Your product may be genius — but how will it make money?
Example:
“We run a subscription SaaS model: £10/month for access to our design library, or £25 for commercial use. We partner with interior designers and retailers to drive scale — and we’ve already piloted with 12 independent design studios.”
Investors back people. Not just product.
Example:
“I’m Martin — a product guy with 10 years in manufacturing. Sarah, our CTO, built the core AR engine. We’re raising funds to bring on a marketing lead who can scale our B2C channels.”
👥 Key Point: This isn’t a CV — it’s a credibility check.
Be direct. What do you want? Why now?
Example:
“We’re raising £300,000 for 11% equity, with SEIS/EIS available. The funds will be used to grow our sales team and launch a nationwide marketing campaign. We aim to reach £1M in revenue within 18 months — offering a projected 15x return.”
📩 Call to Action: “If you’d like to hear more, let’s set up a time. We’re currently booking follow-up calls for the next two weeks.”
This format isn’t just investor-friendly — it’s startup-friendly. It forces clarity. It builds confidence. And in a market where over 60% of UK startups fail within three years (often due to access to capital), clarity is your edge.
If you’re gearing up to fundraise, check out our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Winning Startup Pitch Deck. Or browse our curated partner network — from professional fundraising consultants to angel networks — available through ThatRound. All in one place, all designed to streamline your path to funding.