Keys to a well-designed executive summary

Launching a company is accompanied by a whole host of documents: a pitch deck, a roadmap, a business plan, sometimes all three mixed together... but the key to giving potential investors an overview of the business is the executive summary.
Whether you are an early-stage entrepreneur presenting your company for the first time or an experienced CEO, the importance of a well-constructed executive summary remains the same.

This document, which is much shorter than the others, is a summary of the key points to remember, an attractive synthesis which, like a back cover, will make the reader want to go into more detail.

Let's have a look at what's expected of an executive summary and how ScaleX can help you produce it with the greatest of ease.

Importance of Executive Summaries for investors

When investors have a whole bunch of startup presentations to deal with, the executive summary helps them quickly understand what they're talking about. It's the first impression that can make or break a potential investment.
They often have specific criteria and preferences. The executive summary helps them assess whether the company aligns with their investment thesis, saving both parties valuable time and resources. Investors are also looking for entrepreneurs with a clear vision. This alignment of vision is essential for building investor confidence and fostering a successful partnership.

Key components of an Executive Summary

Overview‍

The executive summary should begin with a convincing and concise presentation of your company. These are the first few words that will cover your value proposition without getting lost in technical or marketing jargon. The value proposition should be short, clear and understandable. You can then start to sketch out the technology behind your product or service. In this first paragraph, your potential investor needs to understand who you are talking to and what you have to offer.

This is also why it's important to avoid unnecessary verbiage. Are you convinced that your technology is cutting-edge and disruptive? Then try to explain it in simple terms, accessible to even the most technology-averse. That's how your message will get across best. Investors prefer to understand what pain point you're going to solve, whether it's through basic or advanced technology. Focus on your USP, your unique selling proposition that sets you apart from the competition.

Business Model‍

Investors want to understand how your startup plans to make money. Clearly articulate your business model, explaining the value proposition and revenue streams.

With the executive summary designed by ScaleX, we make it easy for you. The business model is displayed using key words so that the essential information stands out clearly.

Thanks to this ID card, investors can understand your strategic positioning and approach at a glance. It also enables them to analyse the relevance of a chosen business to the targets and industries being addressed.

Team structure and shareholding

The structure of a company's team and the distribution of capital among its members say a lot about its resilience and growth potential. A well-structured and complementary team (technical and commercial profiles, for example) is the backbone of efficient operations and strategic decision-making.

The distribution of capital and the history of funds raised show in which hands the decision-making power lies. What is the management team's incentive level? Are they supported by advisors? Striking the right balance ensures alignment with the company's objectives and helps structure future recruitment plans, in line with the company's growth ambitions.

ScaleX allows you to show the composition of your team, and therefore its complementarity, as well as highlighting the breakdown of capital and types of funds raised.

Strengths and weaknesses

The important thing is also to be transparent about your strengths and areas for improvement. You're not perfect and pointing that out is a sign of self-awareness honesty towards your investors. With a transparent risk analysis, you gain the confidence of investors. They will also know where they can give you support and where you can develop easily.

The ScaleX score is used to summarise these strengths and weaknesses.

Financial overview

It is essential to include a comprehensive financial overview in the executive summary to give stakeholders a clear understanding of the company's financial health and performance.

This section summarises key financial measures, such as the annual revenue trend, the number of clients, the cash at bank... Investors and decision-makers look at this information to assess the overall viability of the business, and the fit with their investment thesis.

With our data visualisation, you can be sure that your information is clear and well presented. This information helps to align the expectations of the company and its investors on the right path forward.

Valuation

 The valuation completes this financial overview and is something that investors are looking for in your executive summary. Valuation methods vary and can produce different results.

At ScaleX, valuation is calculated using revenue multiples observed in our database and from external data providers. It evaluates revenue multiples according to trend, business model and level of maturity of the company.

ESG assessment‍

Last but not least, at ScaleX we have decided to include the ESG aspect in our executive summary. We are conscious of the importance of social and environmental awareness of companies for investors.

Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between a company's ESG score and its financial performance. This is why investors are increasingly using ESG assessments to guide their investment strategy.

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To sum up, so to speak, a well-written executive summary is both a communication tool and an ID card. It says who you are and ensures that your potential investors remember you. First impressions are important, and the executive summary opens the door to other documents that your investors will ask you to produce. It illustrates your level of commitment and your ability to synthesise your project in a methodical way.

Thanks to ScaleX, you don't have to do the formatting and summarising yourself.  As an entrepreneur, all you have to do is updating your data. The rest is up to us. This standardised format also allows you to provide the same level of information to new investors, shareholders, strategic partners, banks, etc.