# S4E41 Neil Thompson | Technical Pitches: Revealing Flaws, Using Stories, & Wiggling Toes

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2023-10-27
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 41
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/neil-thompson-technical-pitches/

## Summary

Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek and creator of the Teach the Geek Pitching Society, explains how technical founders can improve their investor pitches by focusing on empathy, storytelling, and transparency. He advises entrepreneurs to practice for less time than allotted, use stories to convey benefits rather than just features, and openly discuss product flaws to build trust with investors. The conversation highlights specific techniques for managing presentation anxiety, such as wiggling toes or wearing sweaters, and emphasizes that investors are investing in the team's ability to solve problems.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=0) Introduction: Neil Thompson and the Teach the Geek Pitching Society
- [1:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=103) Target Audience: Technical Founders and the Empathy Gap
- [3:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=226) Common Pitching Flaws: Jargon, Features vs. Benefits, and Lack of Empathy
- [7:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=422) Investor Feedback: Elimination by Confusion and the Power of Stories
- [10:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=618) Storytelling Mechanics: Made to Stick, Challenges, and Memorable Narratives
- [14:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=848) Pitch Logistics: Timing, Buffer, and the Value of Saying 'I Don't Know'
- [16:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=989) Revealing Flaws: The 'Fist Push' Analogy and Building Investor Partnership
- [22:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=1367) Managing Nervousness: Sweaters, Bathroom Breaks, and Wiggling Toes
- [26:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe#t=1590) The Pitching Society Program: Waitlist, Membership, and Feedback Loops

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Teach the Geek (company)
- Teach the Geek Pitching Society (product)
- Made to Stick (other)
- Originals (other)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S1 E7: Level Up Your Hardware Product Pitch with Haje Kamps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-06-27-s1-e7-level-up-your-hardware-product-pitch-with-haje-kamps) (The Builder Circle)
- [100: Pitch Deck Storytelling for Hardware Funding](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-11-03-100-pitch-deck-storytelling-for-hardware-funding) (Product Startup)
- [#355: Mastering the Pitch: MedTech Innovations from Concept to Market](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-02-15-355-mastering-the-pitch-medtech-innovations-from-concept-to-market) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [166: Storytelling Tips for Hardware Product Launches](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-03-09-166-storytelling-tips-for-hardware-product-launches) (Product Startup)
- [Ep. 39 - Starting a Hardware Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-05-15-ep-39-starting-a-hardware-company) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-10-27-s4e41-neil-thompson-technical-pitches-revealing-flaws-using-stories-wiggling-toe. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.