Why Do Investors Struggle to Understand Health Tech Pitches?

Because most aren’t scientists. They're not doctors, clinicians, or researchers. They’re trained to spot patterns in traction and teams—not diagnostics or datasets. So when your deck is loaded with molecular pathways or precision biomarkers without plain-English framing, you’ve lost them.

"Investors fund what they understand. If they don’t get it in two minutes, they move on." — Sabrina Runbeck

Clarity isn’t dumbing it down. It’s derisking your story so they can say yes with confidence.

What Scientific Details Actually Matter to Early-Stage Investors?

It’s not the mechanism, it’s the momentum. Investors want:

• A clear pain point they can relate to
• A large, underserved market
• Early proof that users want it
• A plan for how it grows

Instead of explaining how your tech works, emphasize what it changes:

• Who gets helped faster
• What process becomes cheaper
• What outcome improves measurably

Your NRR, user retention, and GTM strategy will do more work than a p-value ever will.

How Can Founders Turn Technical Data Into a Clear, Compelling Narrative?

Use the "1 Slide = 1 Point" rule. Make every slide answer this question: So what?

Here’s how:

• Start with a story or image that illustrates the pain (not just stats)
• Use analogies: "We do for diagnostics what Spotify did for music discovery"
• Translate each stat into a business insight or human win

If a slide can’t be explained in a sentence, it doesn’t belong.

"Show me the problem, how you solve it, and how many people want it now." — Archita, founder and pitch strategist

When Should You Share Your Personal Story in a Health Tech Pitch?

Right away. Start your deck or pitch with your "why." When you do, it:

• Builds credibility through lived insight
• Sets the emotional tone
• Frames the market through your lens

"Your obsession is your edge. Don’t bury it." — Alice, founder and storyteller

Make it matter. Then connect it to the company. Investors want to bet on someone who can’t not solve the problem.

What’s the Best Structure for a Short, Jargon-Free Pitch Deck?

Use this 7-slide proven structure:

1. Problem — Tell the story + size the pain
2. Solution — Plain language, clear outcome
3. Market — Total Addressable Market with proof
4. Traction — What’s already working
5. Business Model — How you make money
6. Team — Why this group is uniquely built for the mission
7. The Ask — Be clear: how much, what for, and what it unlocks

Bonus tip: Always lead with results, not roadmap.

How Do You Turn Scientific Validation Into an Investor Magnet?

If you have pilot data, early adopters, or clinical collaborators — use them.

Frame validation like this:

• "We reduced time-to-diagnosis by 37% in 8 pilot clinics"
• "Our prototype had 92% completion rates in 100+ patients"

And if you're early? Show your pathway:

• Regulatory milestones
• IRB approvals in progress
• Traction with research hospitals

Validation isn’t about perfection. It’s about perceived progress.

Who Should You Practice This Messaging With First?

Not just advisors. Not just your team. Test your message with:

• Founders in other sectors
• Friends outside of healthcare
• Investor mentors

If they can explain what you do after 2 minutes, you're close.

Even better? Join a founder community where you can pressure-test your pitch in real time.

"That’s why we built the Pitch To Yes Workshop — to practice translating science into investor language, fast." — Sabrina Runbeck

Why Simplified Messaging Aligns Your Team, Not Just Investors

When your story is simple and clear, your team starts repeating it. Your hires make better decisions. Your customers understand faster. Internal clarity creates external traction.

Most founders overlook this: alignment isn’t just an HR issue. It’s a growth strategy.

Use your investor pitch as your internal mission compass.

What’s the Cost of Letting Complexity Lead Your Pitch?

Complexity kills momentum. In pitch rooms, on landing pages, in hiring conversations — when the story drags, trust drops.

You might:

• Confuse your audience
• Sound like a grant proposal, not a business
• Lose high-conviction, low-time investors

Keep it human. Keep it sharp. And build from insight, not ego.

How Can Diverse Founders Leverage Bias as Strategic Differentiation?

Most women and BIPOC founders are asked defensive questions — about risk, feasibility, and sustainability.

Use that expectation to your advantage. Lead with:

• Repeatable wins
• Customer insight born from lived experience
• Metrics that validate not just progress, but demand

Investors notice when your clarity disarms their bias.

How to Practice This In Your Next Pitch

Try this simple exercise:

1. Explain your business to a 14-year-old
2. Record it and listen back
3. Remove every phrase that sounds like a thesis paper

Then do it again — but pitch it like you want someone to join your mission, not fund it. If that story excites you? That’s the one.

Here are 3 ways we can support you right now:

🎤Be a Featured Guest on the Provider’s Edge
Have traction and a story to share? Apply to join us on the show: PulsePointPath.com/Call-Sabrina

🎯 Get You In Front of Investors
We match you with the most aligned investors and decision-makers who care about your niche already. Apply at PulsePointPath.com/Pitch-Application 

About Sabrina Runbeck
Sabrina Runbeck, MPH, MHS, PA-C helps healthcare technology companies scale sustainably—without burning out their teams or running out of cash. She is the Co-Founder of PulsePoint Path and works alongside a 12-integrated board of advisors to help founders make strategic decisions that multiply impact and protect capital. Her signature 5D Integrated System helps companies move beyond one-dimensional problem solving—what they think the issue is—and instead, builds an Empowered Ecosystem across leadership, team dynamics, and systems alignment. This is how founders evolve from early traction to 10x growth. Sabrina is also a TEDx speaker, former Cardiothoracic Surgery PA, and trusted advisor with over 15 years of experience in public health, neuroscience, and business acceleration.

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