When we started working on the first pitch for Vaugnity, we quickly discovered that explaining what feels natural to us is not as easy as it seems. What was crystal clear in our minds turned out to be harder to convey to people who were hearing the story for the first time.
From idea to first version
The goal of the pitch was simple: to inspire entrepreneurs to invest part of their profit in Vaugnity. Not as a traditional donation, but as a contribution to a larger story of hope, where businesses, non-profits, and local projects strengthen each other.
The first version included a few slides about why Vaugnity exists, how it works, and what impact it aims for. But it felt too technical, too focused on explanation, and not enough on emotion.
So we simplified. Fewer slides, fewer words, and more focus on the essence: connecting people who want to make a difference together.
What resonated with entrepreneurs
The real test came when we presented the pitch to an experienced entrepreneur known for giving direct feedback. His reaction was insightful.
He said:
“What you are doing feels authentic. You clearly speak from experience in the non-profit sector, and that shows. The fact that everyone benefits from this model makes it powerful.”
That was exactly what we wanted people to take away: Vaugnity is inclusive. It is not a charity that only receives, but a system where entrepreneurs, projects, and communities all grow stronger.
That conversation gave us energy. The entrepreneur is now very likely to join, which feels like an important first confirmation.
The power of simplicity
In the later versions, we made a clear choice for simplicity.
The slide with the line “Invest in what has eternal value. Help build a world of hope.” turned out to be the strongest moment in the presentation. It made people pause and think, but also inspired them to act.
We kept the visuals minimal: plenty of white space, one powerful photo, and short, direct sentences. No complex graphs or data, just visuals that speak for themselves. That choice created room for real conversation and connection.
Learning by doing
The first pitch taught us that you only discover what truly works when you share it. Writing and refining helps, but it is only through real dialogue that you see what sparks interest and what does not.
Every comment and every facial expression gave us new insight. That made the story sharper and more convincing. This first pitch was not a finish line, but the start of a learning process that continues to shape how we communicate our mission.
What comes next
In the coming weeks, we are developing our screening model to better match entrepreneurs and projects in a sustainable way. That will be the next important step for Vaugnity.
Still, we want to pause for a moment and appreciate this milestone. Hearing someone say “I’m in” for the first time is something special. It shows that Vaugnity is more than an idea. It is a movement that has started to come alive.