12 Jan Veterans-Only Pitch Prep Guide 🪖
Turn Your Mission Into a Movement
You already know how to lead, adapt, and execute under pressure.
Now it’s time to apply that mindset to your business.
This guide was built for Veterans preparing to pitch at The Fish Bowl Experience — with $50,000+ in funding and resources up for grabs.
Let’s get you ready.
🧠 STEP 1: Define the Mission — What Problem Are You Solving?
In the military, you never move without a mission. In business, it’s the same.
✅ What specific problem are you solving?
✅ Who is struggling with this problem?
✅ Why is your solution better, faster, or more effective?
Keep it tight. Keep it real.
“We help [WHO] solve [WHAT] by providing [SOLUTION].”
🎯 Example:
“We help veterans manage PTSD symptoms through a mobile app that combines therapy, daily journaling, and a peer accountability network.”
📦 STEP 2: Show Your Gear — What Are You Offering?
Break down the core of your product or service. Keep it simple and strong.
- What is it?
- How does it work?
- How much does it cost?
- What makes it different?
🎯 Pro Tip: Avoid buzzwords and get to the point.
Your “gear” is only valuable if it’s usable, practical, and proven.
📈 STEP 3: Report Your Intel — What’s Working?
Investors want evidence. Even if you’re early, you have more traction than you think.
✅ Do you have:
- Sales?
- Customers or clients?
- Testimonials?
- A growing email list or social media presence?
- Pilot program results?
Don’t downplay progress. Even a waitlist shows market interest.
🫡 STEP 4: Highlight the Operator — That’s YOU
Your military background is a superpower. Speak on it.
🎖 Use your service experience to highlight:
- Leadership
- Discipline
- Mission execution
- Adaptability under stress
- Team-building
🎯 Prompt:
“During my time in [branch], I led [operation/team/initiative], which taught me how to [skill now used in your business].”
🧩 STEP 5: Know What You Need — What Will the Investment Do?
Be very clear on how you’d use funding or support.
- Are you hiring?
- Building a prototype?
- Launching a new version?
- Expanding into new markets?
🎯 Bonus Tip:
Break it into bullets or a pie chart:
- 40% Product development
- 30% Marketing & customer acquisition
- 20% Staffing
- 10% Operations
🗣 STEP 6: Practice with Precision — Your Pitch Format
Keep your pitch short, sharp, and mission-ready:
60-Second Pitch Outline:
- Intro – Who you are & your service background
- The Problem – What’s the pain point?
- The Solution – What’s your product/service?
- Why You – What makes your team or story unique?
- Traction – What have you achieved so far?
- The Ask – What do you want (funding, partnership, exposure)?
🎯 Time yourself. Record yourself. Watch it back. Tighten it.
🧰 BONUS: Veterans-Only Resource Stack
Here are tools and programs specifically for YOU:
| Program | What It Offers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| SBA Veteran-Owned Business Portal | Funding, training & contract programs | Visit |
| VetFran | Franchising opportunities & discounts | Visit |
| Bunker Labs | Veteran entrepreneur support & incubators | Visit |
| V-WISE (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) | Entrepreneurship training for women Veterans | Visit |
| Warrior Rising | Mentorship, funding, and pitch support | Visit |
🎤 Ready to Make Your Pitch?
The Fish Bowl Experience wants Veterans who are:
- Hungry to build
- Ready to lead
- And committed to making impact through business
If that’s you?
We’ve saved your seat at the table.
🗓 Nov. 6–9
📍 Houston, TX
💰 $50K+ in cash, mentorship, and support