In this episode of Next Round Ready, Jon sits down with Dana Robinson, a seasoned founder and investor, to explore how startups can refine their pitch to not just raise money — but to make an impact. Dana shares hard-earned insights on connecting with investors, aligning your story with your mission, and standing out in today’s competitive funding environment.

Whether you’re a first-time founder or preparing for your next round, this conversation will give you tactical advice on how to craft a pitch for impact that resonates.

Key Takeaways

* Clarity over complexity – How to simplify your pitch so anyone can understand it in 30 seconds.

* Mission-driven storytelling – Why investors care about more than numbers and how your vision can be your edge.

* Common mistakes founders make – The “data dump” vs. the “story gap.”

* Investor psychology – What’s really happening in the mind of a VC when you’re pitching.

* Actionable frameworks – Dana’s proven methods for structuring your deck and conversation.

Timestamps

* 00:00 – Intro: Why “pitch for impact” matters in today’s startup climate

* 04:15 – The power of founder storytelling

* 09:40 – Numbers vs narrative: Striking the balance

* 15:20 – The biggest red flags investors see in pitches

* 22:45 – Dana’s step-by-step framework for structuring a pitch

* 31:10 – Closing thoughts and advice for founders heading into fundraising season

Quotes from Dana Robinson

“A great pitch doesn’t just get you funding — it gets people believing in your mission.”

“Investors invest in people and purpose, not just in projections.”

Resources & Links

* Connect with Dana Robinson: 

https://pitch4impact.com/

* Learn more about Next Round Ready: https://HinesightMarketing.com

* Related episode: https://www.hinesightmarketing.com/blog/start-content-marketing-guide

👉 If you’re a founder preparing for your next round, subscribe to Next Round Ready for more expert insights.👉 Share this episode with a fellow founder who’s polishing their pitch.👉 Want help with your fundraising content strategy? Visit Hinesight Marketing!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehinesight.substack.com