What Should Entrepreneurs Put in a Pitch Deck for Investors?

So you've got a fantastic business idea, and you're ready to take it to the next level. Funding! But before you waltz into a room full of investors, you need a pitch deck – a presentation that tells the story of your business and convinces them to invest their hard-earned cash.

But what exactly goes into a winning pitch deck? Don't worry, we'll break it down into pieces, making it easier than ever to craft a presentation that'll have investors reaching for their checkbooks.

1. Title Slide (The Very First Impression)

What to Include:

• Company name

• Tagline or a brief description

• Your name and title

• Date and occasion of the presentation

Bonus Tips:

• Keep it clean and professional.

• Use your company logo and brand colors to establish identity.

Over 89% of VCs expect a pitch deck during fundraising [Pitch Deck Creators]

2. Problem Statement (This is your chance to be the hero! What big problem are you solving?)

What to Include:

• Clearly define the problem your business aims to solve.

• Use relatable scenarios or statistics to illustrate the issue.

Bonus Tips:

• Make the problem understandable and relevant.

• Avoid technical jargon that might confuse your audience.

3. Solution (Introducing the Startup Hero: Your Solution)

What to Include:

• Describe your product or service and how it solves the problem.

• Here's where you shine! Explain your product or service in a simple, understandable way. How are you making life better for your customers?

• Highlight the unique value proposition.

Bonus Tips:

• Use visuals, such as images or videos, to demonstrate your solution.

• Be concise and to the point.

4. Market Opportunity (Competitive Advantage)

What to Include:

• Acknowledge your competitors, but focus on what makes YOU different. What's your secret sauce? Why will customers choose you?

• Market size and potential growth.

• Target market demographics and segments.

Bonus Tips:

• Use data from reputable sources to back up your claims.

• Present the information in charts or graphs for clarity.

5. Business Model (This is where you show how you'll make money.)

What to Include:

• How your business will make money (revenue streams).

• Pricing strategy.

Bonus Tips:

• Don't get too deep down in numbers, but paint a picture of financial success.

• Make sure your business model is straightforward and scalable.

• Include examples if possible to illustrate how your model works.

6. Traction (The Social Proof: What You’ve Achieved Till Now)

What to Include:

• Key milestones achieved so far (sales, user growth, partnerships).

• Testimonials or case studies from customers.

Bonus Tips:

• Use concrete numbers to show progress.

• Visuals like timelines or graphs can make this section more compelling.

7. Marketing and Sales Strategy (Your Go-to-Market Strategy)

What to Include:

• Investors want to know how you'll reach your target market and convert them into paying customers.

• How you plan to attract and retain customers.

• Marketing channels and tactics.

Bonus Tips:

• Be specific about your strategies and why they will work.

• Include any partnerships or collaborations that will help in marketing.

8. Competitive Analysis

What to Include:

• Identify your main competitors.

• Highlight your competitive advantage.

Bonus Tips:

• Use a comparison table to show how you stand out.

• Focus on what makes you different and better.

9. Team (Investors are betting on people as much as the idea)

What to Include:

• Key team members and their roles.

• Brief bios highlighting relevant experience and achievements.

Bonus Tips:

• Emphasize the team's expertise and ability to execute the business plan.

• Mention any advisors or notable mentors.

10. Financial Projections (Paint a picture of future financial success)

What to Include:

• Revenue and expense forecasts for the next 3-5 years.

• Key financial metrics (profit margins, growth rates).

Bonus Tips:

• Use realistic and conservative estimates.

• Include a break-even analysis if applicable.

11. Funding Request (What You Actually Need)

What to Include:

• The amount of funding you are seeking.

• How you plan to use the funds.

Bonus Tips:

• Be clear about your financial needs and how the investment will be used.

• Breakdown the use of funds (e.g., product development, marketing, hiring).

12. Summary and Call to Action (The Ultimate Ask)

What to Include:

• Recap the key points of your pitch.

• Provide your contact information.

Bonus Tips:

• End with a strong, positive statement about the future of your business.

• Encourage investors to ask questions or schedule a follow-up meeting.

Recommended Tools for Creating and Improving Your Pitch Deck

1. Canva

Canva allows you to create visually appealing slides even if you have no design experience. Its easy-to-use interface and extensive template library make it a great choice for entrepreneurs looking to create professional-looking pitch decks.

2. PowerPoint

PowerPoint offers powerful tools for creating detailed and professional presentations. Its familiar interface and robust features make it a staple choice for creating pitch decks that impress investors.

3. Google Slides

Google Slides enables real-time collaboration, making it ideal for team projects. Its cloud-based nature allows you to access and present your pitch deck from anywhere, ensuring flexibility and accessibility.

4. Prezi

Prezi offers a different approach to presentations with its zoomable canvas, allowing for a more engaging and interactive presentation experience. It's great for storytelling and presenting complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner.

5. Piktochart

Piktochart is ideal for visualizing data and making your pitch more compelling. Its easy-to-use interface and wide range of templates make it a valuable tool for entrepreneurs looking to include informative and visually appealing elements in their pitch decks.

Additional Tips for a Successful Pitch Deck

1. Keep It Simple: Don't overload your deck with text. Use strong visuals, clear fonts, and limit the words. Investors typically spend only 3 minutes and 44 seconds reviewing a pitch deck, so make it count!.

2. Tell a Story: Craft a narrative that connects each section of your pitch deck. Storytelling can make your presentation more engaging and memorable.

3. Be Prepared to Answer Questions: Anticipate questions investors might ask and prepare your answers. This shows confidence and thorough knowledge of your business.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your pitch multiple times. This will help you present smoothly and handle any unexpected questions or technical issues.

5. Seek Feedback: Before presenting to investors, practice your pitch with mentors, colleagues, or friends. Constructive feedback can help you refine your deck and delivery.

Here's the catch: while only about 1% of pitch decks succeed in acquiring funds [Infobrandz], a well-crafted deck can significantly increase your chances.

Remember, your pitch deck is not just a presentation—it's an opportunity to tell your story and show why your business is worth investing in. Good luck!

Thank you for reading The Founders' Weekly. Let's continue learning and building strong customer relationships together!

Sponsor The Founders (Advertise)

Boost your startup's visibility. Sponsor today.