Let’s get one thing straight: investors don’t invest in products.
They invest in people.
They invest in you.
And yet, I constantly meet founders who struggle to talk about themselves with confidence.
They can pitch their market, traction, and vision with fire - but when it’s time to sell the team, their energy drops.
They mumble through the “Team” slide.
They say things like:
“Yeah, we have a really strong team. I’ve done a few startups before…”
And then they move on.
Big mistake.
Because how you present your team - and yourself - is often the deciding factor in whether investors believe you can actually pull this off.
I always tell founders: bragging done right is not arrogance - it’s leadership communication.
If you can’t sell yourself, you’re asking investors to take a blind leap of faith.
Team Slide: Where Most Founders Blow It
Here’s a small but crucial detail from my own pitch structure:
On the team slide, I’m always to the far left - but I’m the last one to present.
Why?
Because I want to lift my team first.
It’s more humble, more authentic - and it sets the tone that leadership isn’t about ego.
But when it’s finally my turn, I don’t downplay my story.
I own it.
Because the moment you talk about the team, you are selling the people who will make this vision real.
If investors don’t trust your ability to get this done with flying colors, they won’t fund it.
How to Not Sound Like a Jerk
Let’s be real - investors don’t guess your potential.
They look for proof that you’ve done hard things before.
So when it’s time to talk about yourself, don’t hide behind generic phrases like “experienced founder” or “strong background.”
Tell people what you’ve actually done.
That might sound easy - it’s literally your life story - but for many founders, this is the hardest part of the pitch.
They hesitate. They worry it’ll sound like bragging to mention:
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their university or degrees
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their “30 under 30” award
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previous startups (even the failed ones)
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or that big-name job they crushed before going full-time on their dream
But here’s the truth: if you don’t tell them, they’ll never know.
And if they don’t know, they won’t invest.
Here’s how to do it with confidence and class 👇
1. Start with reflection, not invention
Most founders overthink this. They try to invent a polished version of their story instead of simply reflecting on what they’ve already done.
Write down your track record — plainly.
What have you built, launched, or led before?
Even small wins count: a product launch, a side project, a leadership role, a publication, a hackathon win.
The traits that make you stand out are already there — like “started four startups before,” “ran a 20-person dev team,” or “was featured in Forbes.”
Those are not bragging points — they’re proof of competence.
Use them.
When you repeat honest facts, it sounds confident, not arrogant.
2. Replace adjectives with proof
Don’t say:
“I’m analytical.”
Say:
“During my MSc in Economics, I led a research project on pricing strategy that later inspired part of our business model.”
Don’t say:
“I’m results-driven.”
Say:
“In my last role at Spotify, my campaign delivered a 22% lift in retention.”
It’s not about style - it’s about substance.
Investors don’t care how you describe yourself.
They care about what you’ve done that shows you can deliver.
3. Tell the story behind the achievement
When you list what you’ve done, don’t just rattle off logos or titles.
Add one line that shows what you learned or proved.
For example:
“I co-founded a healthtech startup that failed - but it taught me how to build customer discovery into every stage of development. That’s why this time, we validated before we coded.”
That’s not bragging. That’s experience in action.
And it’s exactly what investors look for - pattern recognition and growth.
4. Let others brag for you
If talking about yourself still feels strange, let others do it.
Ask your co-founders, investors, or friends to describe what you’ve accomplished - not who you are.
When people talk about what you’ve done, they’ll naturally add the traits that make you special.
They’ll say things like “brilliant,” “top-notch,” “wizard,” or “one of a kind.”
You don’t need to label yourself - others will do that for you.
Your job is simply to repeat their words honestly.
That way, you sound confident without arrogance - and investors hear both your track record and your reputation.
5. Practice until it sounds natural
Writing it down is one thing.
Saying it out loud is another.
Rehearse your personal story the same way you rehearse your pitch deck.
Say it to a friend, a mirror, or a mentor.
Notice where you rush, where you mumble, where you downplay.
Confidence doesn’t come from exaggeration — it comes from repetition.
And once it sounds natural, you’ll stop “selling yourself” and start showing who you are.
Why This Matters
I’ve coached over a thousand founders, and I’ve seen this truth repeat itself:
• Investors rarely back the “smartest” person in the room - they back the most believable.
• Believability comes from clarity, not perfection.
• The ability to “brag” with humility shows emotional intelligence - and that’s a leadership signal investors look for.
Talking about yourself is not vanity - it’s due diligence.
The Bottom Line
If you want investors to bet on you, they need to see you as the safe pair of hands that can build what you promise.
So stop worrying about bragging.
Start communicating your credibility.
Lift your team first.
Then lift yourself.
Because if you don’t - no one else will.
Bragging done right doesn’t turn people off. It turns investors on.