Pitch Components
Hook

In a spoken pitch, the hook is the opening line or moment that captures attention and sets up the rest of the story. A strong hook creates curiosity, establishes relevance, and gives the listener a reason to keep paying attention. It can be a surprising statistic, a bold claim, a relatable pain point, or a vivid scenario. Y Combinator's Michael Seibel advises founders to explain what the company does in simple language. In practice, your hook is often where that clarity first lands for a live audience.