From Science to Story: How to Communicate Value to Investors

Hello 👋

One of the biggest challenges I see early-stage biotech founders face is turning complex science into a clear, compelling message for investors. I’ve sat in pitch meetings where the science was brilliant, but the message got lost in jargon, overly technical language or poor delivery.

Investors don’t want complexity—they want clarity. Here’s what I’ve learned about simplifying your message without losing credibility:

1. Start with your mission
   When I ask founders to explain their mission in one sentence, they often struggle. But this is where investors need to start. For example, instead of, “We’ve developed a multi-targeting enzyme therapy,” you might say, “We’re building therapies that target cancer cells with GPS-like precision, minimising side effects and improving quality of life” This instantly sets the stage for your story.

2. Use relatable analogies
   In one case, I worked with a founder developing an AI-based drug discovery platform. Shifting away from algorithms, we reframed their message: “Our platform works like a detective, scanning millions of data points to identify drug candidates faster than any human team.” Analogies like this make your science and innovation accessible, even to non-experts. We developed additional and more detailed messages to build out the story segmented by audience.

3. Connect to real-world impact
   Investors care about outcomes. For example, if your therapy could improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer, make that connection explicit. One founder I worked with received more investor interest by framing their pitch around potential lives saved rather than the scientific mechanics.

What I’ve Found: Founders who focus on simpler messages, clarity and impact not only stand out to investors but make a faster, more long lasting connection.

If you’d like help simplifying or refining your messaging and ensuring it resonates with investors, I’d love to discuss with you.

You can book a Free Messaging Review here.

Warm regards,
Chris
Founder
Make Business Social
Strategic Communications | PR | LinkedIn

I help life sciences leaders cut through the noise, humanise their science, and secure the visibility and investment they need to scale innovation.