As a founder, creating the perfect pitch deck is crucial. With so many opinions and templates out there, it can be overwhelming to know which is "the right one" to start.
However, if you're looking for a tried and true approach, I highly recommend following: Guy Kawaski’s 10-slide rule
This framework covers all the key points investors are looking for and ensures your pitch is concise, clear, and effective.
This is particularly useful when reaching out to investors for the first time. As they spend less and less time on reading decks (3:20 min on average by Docsend.
You should use this version when reaching out to schedule an introductory call. You can provide a more detailed one afterward when you share your data room for due diligence.
1️⃣ Title: Provide company name plus your name and title, address, email, and cell number.
2️⃣ Problem/Opportunity: Describe the pain that you‘re alleviating or the pleasure you‘re providing.
3️⃣ Value Proposition: Explain the value of the pain you alleviate or the value of the pleasure you provide.
4️⃣ Underlying Magic: Describe the technology, secret sauce, or magic behind your product. The less text and the more diagrams, schematics, and flowcharts the better.
5️⃣ Business Model: Explain who has your money temporarily in their pockets and how you're going to get it into yours.
6️⃣ Go-To-Market Plan: Explain how you are going to reach your customer without breaking the bank.
7️⃣ Competitive Analysis: Provide a complete view of the competitive landscape.
8️⃣ Management Team: Describe the key members of your management team, board of directors, and board of advisors as well as your major investors.
9️⃣ Financial Projections/Key Metrics: Provide a three-year forecast containing not only dollars but key metrics such as the number of customers and conversion rate.
1️⃣ 0️⃣ Current Status/Timeline/Use of Funds: Explain the current status of your product, what the next version looks like, and how you’ll use the money you’re trying to raise.
This is my curated list of links to the best articles on pitch deck structure - enjoy!
MY TOP PICKS
How to Build a Fundraising Deck that Investors Actually Want to Read