The would-be entrepreneur pitched his idea to dozens of investors.

would-be 是由 would 和 be 组成的复合形容词。would 表示"愿意、将要"，be 是动词"成为"的原形。would-be 合起来表示"想要成为的、有志成为的"，用来形容那些有志向但尚未真正达到某种身份或地位的人。