These Lab-Grown Gems Aim to Shine | Elevator Pitch S12 EP8

Hear from Virginie Roy, founder of Proud Diamond, ethical lab-grown diamonds and gems.

It's hard not to let nerves get the best of you when a stumble or poor choice of words can mean the difference between scoring hundreds of thousands of dollars or going home empty-handed. Knowing what investors want to hear and knowing what will make them slam their wallets shut is no easy task. But to help anyone faced with a make-or-break moment like our contestants find themselves, Pocket Sun, founder of SoGal Ventures, offers this empowering piece of advice: "Remember that pitching to an investor is extending an invitation for someone to join your exciting entrepreneurial journey," she says. "So don't ever forget that you are offering something of great value."

And don't forget that investors are people, too! If you can surprise them, make them smile and help them consider ordinary problems in a whole new way, you just might surprise yourself with the funding and mentorship you need to get to the next level. See who has the stuff to capture our investors' curiosity — and their money — on the season 12 finale of Elevator Pitch!