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What We Learnt Today: Tips for Startup IR Pitching

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What We Learnt Today: Tips for Startup IR Pitching


We had the rare chance to attend a seminar by an Alchemist Accelerator alum last week, held at Korea University. It was one of those talks where you leave with more questions about your own startup pitch than answers, in a good way.


Event date: 29 July 2026

Location: Korea University - Future Convergence Technology Building


So who was the main speaker?

Gi Hoon Yang (양지훈 님), Founder and CEO of ReCyclist Co., Ltd

(Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Sungkyunkwan University)

Alumnus of a previous round of Alchemist Accelerator (Japan), who later further developed the company in the US through a 6-month program in Silicon Valley.


And what did he build?

Re:Cyclist is a startup focused on waste-to-value and circular economy solutions.


Here are some tips that we learned and sharing them below for anyone else preparing for IR Pitching:


[1] Know exactly who you're pitching to.


Pitching to US investors?

Focus on storytelling. Instead of explaining HOW you will solve a problem, tell an intriguing and logical story of WHY you want to solve this problem. The presentation must not bore the investors. Think of yourself as a presenter entertaining them to buy your startup idea. Remember that the founder is not the main character of your story; the customers whose problem you are solving are the main character of your narrative.


Pitching to Korean investors?

Make sure you have data and numbers to prove and support your market analysis and business model. A long list of 40 to 50 Power-point slides is seen as a sign of dedication to detail and great effort made on research.


[2] Get comfortable with nothing being set in stone.


If you like stability and certainty, startups and IR pitching may be a little challenging for you. But if you thrive in ambiguity and constant change, you may just have the talent for running startups and IR pitching. During accelerator programs, mentors will help you review your business plan and pitch deck. It will be broken down and built up again, stronger each time.


So be prepared to face questions like "Is the problem that you want to solve here even an actual problem?", "Why should customers be paying you if the cost of your product is not justifiable against the small perceived inconvenience that you may think they have?", "Is there already someone else solving this problem at a larger scale than you are?"


Investors don't invest in a fancy dream. They invest in products and services that are truly needed by people.


[3] Confidence comes later than you think.


Investors are seasoned professionals. They can tell right away if you are not confident in your own pitch. Sounds scary? Don't worry. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is your confidence. The only way to gain it is to keep making mistakes, learn, and get better along the way. It is rare that anyone gets their first pitch invested in, but the more you try, the more pitching you do, the stronger the belief in your own startup you have, and confidence will be just a natural byproduct of that process.


Moral of the story? Just start.

No one is good at IR Pitching the first time round. But practice makes perfect BETTER!



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