Chapter 4: The Pitch

The Pitch

Ethan could barely sleep the night before the pitch. He had spent the entire day reviewing the business plan, practicing his pitch with Alex, and fine-tuning the presentation. But as much as he tried to calm his nerves, the fear of the unknown loomed over him like a dark cloud. The pressure was real. This wasn't just another school project or personal goal—it was a chance to bring Money Masters to life.

As the morning sun rose, the day of the pitch finally arrived. Alex met him at his apartment, carrying a bag filled with printed copies of their business plan and presentation slides. His excitement was palpable, but Ethan could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

"Alright, man. You ready for this?" Alex asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Ethan forced a smile, though his hands were clammy. "I think so. Let's just get this over with."

Their destination was a small office building downtown, where a group of angel investors was hosting a pitch session for local startups. The investors were known for supporting innovative, early-stage businesses, but Ethan knew this would be no easy feat. Getting them to open their wallets would take more than just a good product—it would take conviction, confidence, and a well-crafted story.

When they arrived, the room was buzzing with nervous energy. There were other entrepreneurs with their own ideas, each hoping to convince the investors to take a chance on them. Ethan couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed as he glanced around at the other hopefuls. They all seemed so much more polished, so much more confident.

"Don't worry," Alex whispered, noticing Ethan's unease. "They're just people. You've got the goods, and you know the numbers. Just stick to the facts."

Ethan nodded, though his heart was still pounding. It wasn't just about the pitch—it was about proving that he belonged here, in this room full of people who had been in the business world far longer than he had.

It was finally their turn. A gray-haired investor behind a large desk looked up as they walked in. He gestured for them to sit. "Alright, gentlemen. We've got ten minutes. Impress us."

Alex went straight to the laptop and pulled up their presentation. Ethan stood beside him, hands sweaty, palms cold. He took a deep breath and started.

"We're here today to talk to you about Money Masters, a mobile app designed to teach teenagers how to manage their finances. This isn't just another game—this is an opportunity to shape the next generation of financially literate individuals. The reality is, most teenagers don't learn the basics of money management in school, and this gap is where we come in."

Ethan paused, trying to steady his breathing. The words felt heavier now that they were out in the open, but he pushed through, remembering what Grandma had taught him: "Speak with conviction, and people will believe in you."

"We're targeting teenagers, ages 14 to 18, and we've designed an engaging, interactive game that teaches them budgeting, saving, investing, and the consequences of financial decisions. It's all about making learning fun," Ethan continued, his voice growing steadier.

Alex clicked through the slides, showing the app interface, user statistics from their beta tests, and a breakdown of the market potential. But it was Ethan who had the spotlight now.

"The goal of this project is simple: financial empowerment for the next generation. With your investment, we plan to scale the app, expand our marketing efforts, and reach even more teenagers across the country. We've already seen early success in our beta tests, with over 5,000 downloads and strong engagement. But we need funding to reach our next milestone."

The investor leaned forward, fingers steepled together. "Interesting," he said, raising an eyebrow. "But what makes you different from the other financial apps out there? Why should we back you?"

Ethan felt a brief wave of panic. The competition was fierce, and they were up against some serious players. But he didn't back down.

"It's simple," he said, meeting the investor's gaze. "Most financial apps out there are either too complicated for teenagers or too boring to keep them engaged. Our approach is different. We've gamified the experience, making it interactive and fun. We focus on real-life scenarios—what happens when you spend too much on impulse buys, or what the long-term impact of an investment decision looks like. We make it easy to understand, and we make it memorable."

The investor seemed to consider this, tapping his fingers on the desk. Ethan could feel the tension in the air, but he refused to look away. This was his moment.

"We also have a strong community of supporters—parents, educators, and financial influencers—who believe in the impact of what we're doing. They're already on board, and we're building momentum. We're not just asking for money—we're offering a chance to be part of something bigger."

For a long moment, there was silence. The investor exchanged glances with the other two people at the table, both of whom were nodding along.

Finally, the investor looked back at Ethan and Alex. "Alright, gentlemen," he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "You've got something interesting here. Let's talk numbers."

---

As the meeting ended, the investor shook their hands and promised to follow up. Ethan and Alex left the room with a sense of cautious optimism, but Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that their real journey was only just beginning. The next steps would be even harder, and the road ahead wasn't guaranteed.

---