Getting that first investor on board is a tough initial task, particularly for first-time founders. The fact of the matter is that, in the early stages, it is all about the founder’s ability to execute and investors to place their bets accordingly. A pitch deck can certainly help a founder raise capital, but at the end of the day, there are many different factors that investors evaluate when determining whether they invest or not. The purpose of a pitch deck should be to articulate those factors in a convincing, clear, and concise way in order to generate interest, open investor doors, and enable founders to cultivate relationships with investors which will ultimately lead to an investment.
Many founders I meet with become entangled in the endless pursuit of the “perfect pitch deck.” The truth is, there is no such thing as the “perfect pitch deck” that is universally accepted by everyone it’s shared with. As a founder, the more people you share your deck with, the more feedback you will get. Keeping your deck super simple and avoiding excessive modifications based on the latest feedback will allow you to spend more time growing your business, which is where your time should be spent. Demonstrating tangible progress of your startup is more important than tweaking presentation details.
That said, a lean, clean, and focused pitch deck can be an effective way to communicate what you are building and can spark investor interest and get you the first meeting. In this article, I'll share the seven key slides I’ve found in successful pitch decks of the 35 portfolio startups we’ve worked with in the last 7 years.
Copy the template directly from Google Slides.
The Company Purpose slide should convey the core mission and vision that drive your business. It sets the tone for your entire pitch and helps investors understand the broader context of your startup. Here's what you may want to consider including on this slide:
Use concise language and avoid overcrowding the slide with too much information. By the end of the Company Purpose slide, investors should have a clear understanding of your startup's overarching goals and what drives you and your team.
For help in setting the best mission and vision statements for your company, check out our article on how to set your startup’s mission and vision.
The Problem slide is where you articulate the pain point or challenge that your business aims to address. This slide should capture the investor’s attention and establish the need for your product or service. Here's what you may want to consider including on this slide:
Keep this slide focused on the problem itself, rather than your solution. By the end of the Problem slide, investors should have a clear understanding of the challenge at hand and be eager to learn how your startup is providing the solution.
The Business Opportunity slide is where you present your solution to the problem and explain how it addresses the market needs. This slide should create excitement and showcase the potential for your startup's success. Here's what you may want to consider including on this slide:
Focus on the opportunity your solution presents. By the end of the Business Opportunity slide, investors should feel excited about the potential of your startup and ready to find out more specifics about your product or service.
The Product Value Proposition slide is where you communicate the unique benefits your product or service offers to customers. This slide should highlight the key features and advantages of your solution, demonstrating why it's the best choice for your target market. Here's what you may want to consider including on this slide:
Define the value your product delivers to customers, rather than getting bogged down in technical details. By the end of the Product Value Proposition slide, investors should have a clear understanding of what makes your solution unique and appealing to your target market.
For help wireframing or mocking-up your product, check out free tools such as Mobbin, Figma, or Marvel App.
The Business Model & Competitive Landscape slide is essential for demonstrating how your startup generates revenue and differentiates itself from competitors. This slide should provide a good understanding of your monetization strategy and how your solution stands out in the market. Here's what you may want to consider including on this slide:
Strike a balance between discussing your business model and competition on this slide. By the end of the Business Model & Competition slide, investors should have a clear understanding of how your startup generates revenue and differentiates itself in the market.
The Team & Traction slide is vital for showcasing the strengths of your founding team and the progress your startup has made so far. This slide should demonstrate your team's expertise, experience, and commitment, as well as provide evidence of traction and growth. Here's what to include on the Team & Traction slide:
Focus on the strengths of your team and the traction your startup has gained. By the end of the Team & Traction slide, investors should feel confident in your team's ability to execute your vision and drive the company's growth.
The Ask & Goals slide is crucial for clearly communicating your funding needs and outlining the objectives you plan to achieve with the investment. This slide should demonstrate how the capital will be used to grow your business and generate returns for investors. Here's what to include on the Ask & Goals slide:
Stay concise and focused on your funding needs and growth objectives. By the end of the Ask & Goals slide, investors should have a clear understanding of how their capital will be used to grow your business and achieve your stated goals.
For help setting business goals, check out our article on the difference between business and product goals and tips to setting both.
Additional Materials
Sharing the pitch deck with investors is just the beginning of the process. Typically throughout the investor’s due diligence, you may be asked to share the following materials.
Creating these materials is not only important for fundraising purposes but also serves as crucial foundational building blocks of any healthy startup.
For further inspiration, take a look at these successful startup pitch decks:
In conclusion, creating a compelling pitch deck is crucial for early-stage startups seeking seed investment. Our 7-slide formula offers a clear, concise, and effective blueprint for crafting a winning pitch deck. But remember that focusing on growing your business and demonstrating real traction is way more important than the endless pursuit of the “perfect pitch deck.”
