Investor Demo Security Checklist: 10-Item Guide Before Your Pitch

TL;DR

Use a dedicated demo environment with fake data. Hide browser extensions, bookmarks, and notifications. 4 critical items must be done before any pitch, 4 important items make you look professional, and 2 recommended items prepare you for questions. Have an offline backup ready. Be prepared to answer basic security questions without overpromising on compliance you do not have yet.

Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)

Use demo accounts with fake dataNever show real user data to investors

Verify HTTPS is workingSSL certificate errors look unprofessional

Test the demo flow end to endCatch errors before investors see them

Use a clean browser profileNo personal bookmarks or extensions visible

Prepare offline backupHave screenshots or video ready for WiFi failures

Demo Environment Setup 4

Use demo accounts with fake dataNever show real user data. Create demo accounts with realistic but fictional information. How to create a demo environment

Use a clean URLDemo on your production domain or a professional demo subdomain. Avoid staging URLs with random strings. How to set up a demo subdomain

Verify HTTPS is workingSSL certificate errors during a demo look unprofessional. Verify the padlock shows before your pitch. How to set up HTTPS

Test the demo flow end to endRun through your entire demo script. Catch errors before investors see them. How to test your demo script

Browser and Screen Setup 3

Use a clean browser profileCreate a demo browser profile. No personal bookmarks, extensions, or autofill suggestions visible. How to set up a demo browser profile

Disable notificationsTurn off Slack, email, and all system notifications. One embarrassing popup can derail your pitch. How to disable notifications for demos

Close unnecessary applicationsQuit apps you do not need. Prevents accidental exposure of other projects or distracting notifications. How to set up your screen for demos

Backup and Preparation 3

Prepare offline backupRecord a video of your demo flow. Have screenshots ready. If WiFi fails, you can still show your product. How to create a demo backup plan

Prepare security talking pointsBe ready to discuss encryption, authentication, and data handling. Investors may ask about security. How to prepare security talking points

Know your compliance statusBe honest about where you are. Do not claim SOC 2 if you do not have it. Say it is on your roadmap instead. How to create a compliance roadmap

First Impressions Matter

Your demo is often the first time investors see your product in action. A security popup, exposed real data, or SSL warning can raise red flags about your technical competence. A polished demo environment shows attention to detail.

Prepare for technical failures too. WiFi at conference venues is unreliable. Having screenshots or video ensures you can present even when everything goes wrong.

Should I demo on production or staging?

Use a dedicated demo environment when possible. It should look like production but contain only fake data. Never show real user data to investors, even anonymized data can create privacy concerns.

What if investors ask about security during the pitch?

Be prepared with a brief overview of your security practices. Mention encryption, authentication method, and any compliance you maintain. Do not overpromise. If you do not have SOC 2 yet, say it is on your roadmap.

Should I show technical due diligence materials?

Not in the initial pitch unless asked. Have a one-page security overview ready for follow-up. Details about architecture and security practices can be shared in due diligence stages.

TL;DR

Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)

Demo Environment Setup 4

Browser and Screen Setup 3

Backup and Preparation 3

First Impressions Matter

Should I demo on production or staging?

What if investors ask about security during the pitch?

Should I show technical due diligence materials?

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Investor Demo Security Checklist: 10-Item Guide Before Your Pitch