The art of holding attention: What great pitches really do

In the noise of global tech, standing out is about presence. As a founder, you have to know how to capture attention, and that means understanding what your audience needs to hear. 

When we spoke to Hamad Al Fahad (Managing Partner at Tajawoz) on an early edition of the LEAP:IN podcast, he said: 

“Pitching is only about one thing: it’s about getting attention.”

And we think about this often; because it reframed how we think about investor-founder interaction. A good pitch is a moment of focus; it invites curiosity, and creates room for more conversations to come later. 

Clarity is a discipline 

Al Fahad said he encourages founders to “be formidable”. To know their market, their numbers, and their purpose well enough to express them plainly. The goal is clarity – because speaking clearly wins over flashy pitches and theatrics (almost) every time. 

Across the many Rocket Fuel pitches at LEAP, that principle has definitely held true. The founders who drove lasting outcomes weren’t always the most animated, or the most comfortable in front of a crowd. They were the ones who could describe a complex idea in a way that made investors want to learn more.

Here are just a few examples from LEAP 2025. 

EduFi – turning attention into momentum

When Aleena Nadeem introduced EduFi, she presented a new approach to accessible education finance. Her measured confidence drew the interest of Ron Levin (Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures), who was judging the semi-final round.

EduFi went on to win the LEAP Award and secure investment from Alumni Ventures. The company is now expanding operations in Saudi Arabia – evidence that a well-focused pitch can evolve into a lasting partnership.

Daleela – purpose that connects

Yousef ElSammaa, co-founder of Daleela, used the stage to highlight women’s health across the Middle East. The honesty of his message held the room’s attention completely.

Since LEAP, Daleela has organised a regional summit in Cairo dedicated to women’s health education, extending the reach of its mission and showing how credibility builds when conviction is clear.

Lisan AI – the long game

Noor Alasadi of Lisan AI first joined the LEAP community in 2022. He returned each year to refine his pitch, grow his network, and strengthen his model. In 2025, his persistence was recognised with the Shooting Star Award and strong investor interest.

Lisan AI is now closing a Series A round, most of it through connections made at LEAP. The company’s progress demonstrates that consistency over time often creates the most durable outcomes.

VoxCell BioInnovation – visibility with purpose

For Karolina Valente and VoxCell BioInnovation, Rocket Fuel brought international visibility. Conversations with investors and partners followed, enabling the company to accelerate expansion from oncology into neurology R&D while remaining headquartered in Canada.

Valente now mentors early-stage founders and contributes to panels – sharing the practical lessons that came from a single, well-delivered pitch.

Why attention is so critical 

For investors, attention is the first form of diligence. It shows which founders can express complex ideas clearly and handle challenges calmly. And it shows that they can connect purpose to evidence – tying clear threads between their ambition and their product market fit. 

Clarity suggests competence. Consistency suggests maturity. And authenticity creates trust that endures beyond a single event.

Founders who combine clear data with a coherent narrative are significantly more likely to receive follow-up interest, and this is a teachable skill; every founder can learn how to do it. 

The LEAP Rocket Fuel stage has shown, year after year, that attention shapes outcomes. It begins with a founder who understands what they stand for; and an investor willing to listen with care. A great pitch lingers in the memory of the listener; and when an investor tells you your pitch has stuck in their head, you as a founder should be confident that you’re doing a very good job.