Presenting at a pitch competition: audience versus professional jury
They are different. The audience will put more value on:
- Entertainment value ("stunning" slides, unusual props, presentation style)
- Emotional connection to your business idea (not-for-profit ideas do well)
- Emotional connection to the speaker (is she sympathetic, an underdog taking on big bad forces in the world)
- Whether they actually remember you after a long morning of pitches (most of the audience will not take notes)
The professional audience will put more value on the business potential of your idea.
Focus on the objective: winning the pitch competition, which is different than receiving a cheque.
Art: Jean-Léon Gérôme, Police Verso, 1872