In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick introduced the world to the double-helix structure of DNA – arguably the most groundbreaking scientific discovery of the 20th century. Their full presentation? Just five minutes long. That’s right. The secret of life, the foundation of modern genetics, was explained in less time than most founders take to introduce themselves on a pitch call. This presentation earned them the Nobel Prize.

Now, let that sink in. If the double-helix can be pitched in five minutes, why does your deep tech startup need 45?

Here’s the hard truth: Founders – especially those in deep tech – often believe their idea is too complex to simplify. They see their technical depth as the key differentiator and fear that reducing it will diminish its credibility. But the opposite is true. Investors don’t fund complexity. They fund clarity. The ability to distill a powerful, highly technical idea into a simple, compelling story is what separates truly great founders from the rest.

And yet, I constantly see deep tech founders struggle when I push them to simplify. It’s as if their ego takes a hit, as if making the pitch more accessible somehow undermines its value. But let me be blunt: If you can’t explain your company’s value in a few crisp sentences, you don’t fully understand it yourself.

Your pitch isn’t about showcasing your PhD-level knowledge – it’s about making investors instantly see the opportunity. They need to grasp it, get excited, and want to dive deeper. If you can’t hook them in five minutes, you’ve already lost them.

So, here’s your challenge: Can you explain your startup’s core idea in a way that a 12-year-old would understand? If not, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.