FLO Chennai, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Amulya Rao, organized an insightful and knowledge-driven session, “Strengthening Startup Narratives: Through Pitching and Business Communication Mastery,” at iTNT Hub, Chennai. The two-day masterclass was designed as a focused capacity-building initiative; it aimed to strengthen the communication skills of startups and emerging entrepreneurs.
The programme opened with an inaugural address by Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO – iTNT Hub and Chair Head – Startup Cell, FICCI FLO Chennai, who underscored the importance of effective communication in the startup ecosystem. It brought together iTNT portfolio startups and FICCI FLO members, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The masterclass was led by Mr. Royce Horak, an English Language Fellow at CUSAT. He is a certified English instructor with over 15 years of global teaching experience. He has delivered training in management, life skills, and presentation skills across undergraduate and graduate institutions globally.
The masterclass was designed in alignment with FICCI FLO’s mission to promote entrepreneurship, leadership, and skill development. Conducted in collaboration with iTNT Hub and the U.S. Consulate General Chennai, the initiative aimed to enhance founders’ ability to effectively engage with investors and stakeholders.
Key Highlights
Day 1: Pitching & Presentation Skills (21.04.2026)
Focused on pitching and presentation skills, covering structured frameworks, storytelling, clarity in messaging, and confident delivery. Participants also engaged in one-on-one pitch sessions with expert feedback.
Day 2: Business Communication (22.04.2026)
Centered on business communication, including pronunciation, pacing, professional conversations, and non-verbal cues such as body language and audience engagement, followed by personalized mentoring sessions.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of structured and concise pitch development
- Role of storytelling in building impactful presentations
- Enhanced clarity, confidence, and delivery in communication
- Practical frameworks for investor-facing presentations
- Improved public speaking and articulation skills
- Understanding audience engagement techniques
- Application of body language and non-verbal cues
- Real-time expert feedback for pitch refinement
- Strengthened ability to communicate business value propositions
- Increased preparedness for investor and stakeholder interactions
Impact & Outcome
Around 30 participants, 23 startups, and 7 FLO members participated in this two-day business communication masterclass. The masterclass brought together institutional expertise, global perspectives, and ecosystem support to deliver a comprehensive learning experience for startups, reinforcing shared efforts towards entrepreneurship development and capacity building.