elevator pitch

American  

[el-uh-vey-ter pich] / ˈɛl əˌveɪ tər ˌpɪtʃ /

Also elevator speech

noun

1. a brief talk or pitch intended to sell or win approval for something, as a product or business proposal.

   a two-minute elevator pitch to a prospective investor.

---

Etymology

Origin of elevator pitch

First recorded in 1995–2000; from the idea of persuading someone while on an elevator moving between floors

Example Sentences

That Pritzker doesn’t have a natural feel for such material is a bit surprising given his history in venture capital, a cultural space that celebrates the visionary elevator pitch.

From Slate • Sep. 18, 2025

Asked to describe the sport in which he is a double world champion, Tomas Woods has it down to an elevator pitch: "It's basically BMX in a wheelchair."

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Any new musical is a hard sell to investors, but especially one with an elevator pitch that’s slightly odd.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

“That was the elevator pitch: We’re going to show you the baby pictures of the universe,” she said.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2023

Zoe Lister-Jones has the elevator pitch for "Slip," the new Roku series that she created, wrote, directed and stars in, down pat.

From Salon • May 9, 2023