There is a real art to raising capital. One of the smartest tools that you can use when seeking investors for your startup is called a pitch deck.
Why are business pitches important?
Your pitch deck is a visual story of your business! It is used to spark an investor’s interest. It’s a slide presentation that shares an overview of your startup company and your unique ideas.
This presentation is then pitched to venture capitalists or angel investors. Startup Wars shares some pitch deck tips on how to make a pitch.
Elements of a Pitch Deck
Two is better than one, right?
When creating a pitch deck, it is important to create two separate sets of pitch deck slides.
One set should be used when you are presenting your pitch via email, and the other set is less-wordy and utilized for in-person pitches to investors.
The average pitch deck includes about 12-14 slides, but no more than 19 slides. It needs to be very concise and clear for your viewer – in order to be successful.
The pitch should be exciting and compel your investors to easily act.
In order to help your investors see the need to invest, Jared Bradshaw at Startup Wars suggests these clear points on what to include in your pitch deck:
Components of a Pitch Deck
- Identify the problem: On your pitch deck problem slide, answer important questions. What problem in the world are you trying to solve? Who has this problem and why would they pay to solve it? Your problem statement slide simply presents these issues.
- Identify the current solutions: In today’s age, there is a solution to every problem. Trying to find a problem that hasn’t been solved yet is not a wise use of time. However, not all solutions are good solutions.
With your solution slide pitch deck, you can identify what current solutions are out there and express why these solutions aren’t efficient in solving the problem that your product does.
- Identify the competition: Be sure to also include a pitch deck competition slide. This slide simply identifies who your competition is. It shows their strengths and weaknesses. This is your opportunity to show your competitive advantage.
- Explain Your Unique Value Proposition: On your value proposition slide, answer these questions: What makes your business stand out? What parts of your business idea make it stand out in the market? This is what will really sell your business to investors, a new and innovative way to approach a problem.
- Show Your Progress: It’s important to show the progress you’ve already made since this builds trust in who you are pitching to. Without any data, you’re just speaking off assumptions, hearsay, and ambition.
Investors don’t feel comfortable putting their money at risk without seeing what direction your business is going in.
- Show the Market Size: Having a clear market opportunity slide is critical. Since your business is so early in creation, you have an entire market to potentially break into.
On your market validation pitch deck, use the current market size to give a glimpse of what your company can accomplish.
If the market has 20 million potential customers, then grabbing only 2% of the market will still get you over 400,000 customers. Your marketing pitch is also called a TAM slide. (“total addressable market”)
How to end a pitch?
- Present the Investment Opportunity: The key to a successful seed funding pitch deck is making the investors need you! Your business is an amazing opportunity to get in early on a great idea.
That is how the investors should feel when they view your vc pitch deck. This is an opportunity for them. If they want a piece, now is the time to buy in. If you can back up this pitch with great execution and strategy, you’re on the path to raise more money later.
On your market validation pitch deck, use the current market size to give a glimpse of what your company can accomplish.
If the market has 20 million potential customers, then grabbing only 2% of the market will still get you over 400,000 customers. Your marketing pitch is also called a TAM slide. (“total addressable market”)
How to end a pitch?
- Present the Investment Opportunity: The key to a successful seed funding pitch deck is making the investors need you! Your business is an amazing opportunity to get in early on a great idea.
That is how the investors should feel when they view your vc pitch deck. This is an opportunity for them. If they want a piece, now is the time to buy in. If you can back up this pitch with great execution and strategy, you’re on the path to raise more money later.
Templates
Simplify!
There are many startup investment proposal templates that you can utilize to create the perfect pitch deck (also called a “series A pitch deck”).
You can easily find many different examples of templates. Everything from an airbnb pitch deck to a nail salon pitch deck is easily found online. There are different styles to choose from, like modern or playful.
These fundraising pitch examples simplify the process with perfect pitch deck dimensions and plans.
Silicon Valley legend, Alehandro Cremades, created a very popular template that helps entrepreneurs create a perfect pitch deck. Find info on that HERE.
Final Thoughts
Your winning pitch deck will be the perfect tool to help you get the funding that you need to get your startup off the ground. So, take the time to create a pitch deck that will be successful.
Use templates to simplify the process. Choose images and words that help you to land the investments that your startup needs.
As always, do your research and seek out solid advice when starting out your business. Have an established individual take a look at your pitch deck. Hear what they have to say – and you’ll soon be on your way to funding!
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How to Fund Your Company Without Investors
When you are launching your startup, it is often difficult to get an investor’s interest. Knowing how to find investors is a real challenge.
