KEYNOTE

The Art of Pitching

The Pitch Professor — 10,000+ Pitches. 500+ Trainings. Two Golden Rules.

The Promise

A good pitch decides whether an idea gets heard — or lost in the crowd. But pitching isn't about saying everything. It's about earning time and building trust.

In this keynote, I walk through step by step how to present an idea so that people actually listen. This isn't just about technique — it's about mindset. I explain the psychology and neuroscience behind a successful pitch and show how to reach your audience emotionally.

The Personal Story

A special highlight: I share how I went from someone with crippling stage fright to a professional speaker — and how I became the first person to deliver a pitch in free fall, jumping out of an aeroplane for Red Bull. I share the strategies that helped me overcome that fear — strategies that work for everyone.

The Two Golden Rules

Rule 1 — Earn Time, Don't Fill It. Your audience decides in seconds whether to keep listening. Every sentence must earn the next one. I show how the best pitches create a pull — not a push.

Rule 2 — Build Trust Before Arguments. People don't invest in ideas — they invest in people. The neuroscience of trust, credibility signals, and emotional connection are the real foundations of persuasion.

What the Audience Takes Home

  • The psychology and neuroscience behind why pitches work (or don't)
  • A step-by-step method to structure any pitch for maximum impact
  • Concrete strategies to overcome stage fright and speak with confidence
  • The desire to not just talk about their idea — but to make others believe in it

Format & Audience

Format: Keynote (45–60 min) | Keynote + Workshop "Pitch Lab" (half-day) | Multi-Day Pitch Training | Tailored

Ideal for: Literally everyone who needs to convince others • Leaders who must present ideas persuasively • Sales teams and founders • Universities and accelerator programs • Pitch competitions and startup events

Credentials

Honorary title "The Pitch Professor" — Vienna University of Technology • 10,000+ pitches evaluated • 500+ trainings delivered • Europe-wide Train-the-Trainer program for the European Innovation Council • First person to pitch in free fall • TV host of "2 Minuten 2 Millionen" (Austria's Dragons' Den)

"A pitch is not a monologue. It's the shortest possible path from 'I have an idea' to 'Tell me more.'" — Daniel Cronin

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