I attended a startup pitch practice event with a pane of expert experts prepared to give advice and feedback.
Such events are worth their weight in gold (or gold-pressed latinum depending upon where you are reading this.) Every mistake corrected at an event like this is a mistake not made with a real investor.

The time limits and other logistics were announced well in advance.
The panelists were extraordinary.
Unfortunately, none of the startups were able to finish in the allotted time. Many were less than halfway through.
This bothers me a great deal. Such a waste.
And such a sign of disrespect.
How difficult is it to time a talk beforehand?
What does that lack of attention to detail say about that founder’s chance of success?
And who might have those panelists introduced those startups too?
Timing your talks beforehand and staying in your timeslot is something you can do to achieve #suckagereduction — and you’ll help your own life suck less.