As a startup founder, one of the most critical documents you’ll need is your pitch deck. It’s the document that will communicate your business idea to potential investors and stakeholders, and it needs to be well-crafted and compelling. However, crafting a pitch deck that is both informative and captivating can be a daunting task, especially for first-time founders. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential elements of a successful pitch deck and provide tips for creating a compelling and effective presentation.
Introduction
- What is the problem you are solving?
- What is your solution?
- How big is the market opportunity?
- Who is your target customer?
- Who is your competition?
- What is your business model?
- What is your team’s background and experience?
- How much funding are you looking for?
- What will you do with the funding?
Structure of a Pitch Deck
A well-structured pitch deck has a clear and logical flow that takes investors through your startup’s story. The following are the essential elements of a pitch deck:
Title Slide
The title slide should include your company name, logo, and a tagline that succinctly describes your business.
Problem
This slide should describe the problem your startup is solving. Investors want to know that you understand the pain points of your target customers and have a solution that meets their needs.
Solution
On this slide, you should explain your solution to the problem you described on the previous slide. Make sure you explain how your solution is unique and better than existing solutions.
Market Opportunity 
This slide should outline the size of the market opportunity for your product or service. Investors want to know that there is a significant market for your solution.
Business Model
Here, you should explain how your company plans to make money. Be specific and make sure you address any potential revenue streams.
Marketing and Sales Strategy
On this slide, you should explain your marketing and sales strategy. Investors want to know how you plan to acquire and retain customers.
Competition
This slide should outline your competitors and explain why your solution is better than theirs. Make sure you address any potential barriers to entry for new competitors.
Management Team
Here, you should introduce your management team and explain why they are the right people to execute on your business plan. Investors want to know that you have a team with the necessary skills and experience to succeed.
Financial Projections
On this slide, you should present your financial projections, including revenue, expenses, and profits. Make sure you explain how you arrived at your projections and provide supporting data.
Ask
The final slide should clearly state how much funding you are seeking and what you plan to do with the funds. Make sure you explain why you need the funding and how it will help you achieve your business goals. Include key milestones you will achieve before you will need to raise again.
Tips for a Compelling Pitch Deck
Now that you know the essential elements of a pitch deck let’s discuss some tips for creating a compelling presentation:
Keep it Concise
Your pitch deck should be no more than 15-20 slides. Investors receive thousands of pitch decks each week and spend about 15-20 minutes reading each deck…that’s 1 minute per slide!. So, ensure that the key insight of every slide is crystal clear at first glance.
Be Visual 
Use images, charts, and graphs to illustrate your points. Visuals can help make complex ideas easier to understand.
Focus on the Story
Your pitch deck should tell a clear and compelling story about your business. Start with a hook to grab the investor’s attention, then build a narrative that showcases the problem you are solving, your solution, and why it’s unique. Make sure your presentation has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Highlight Your Team 
Investors invest in people, not just ideas. Use your pitch deck to highlight the strengths and experience of your team and why you are the right team to solve this problem. Be sure to include bios and photos of key team members.
Show Traction
Investors want to see evidence that your business has traction. Use your pitch deck to showcase key metrics, such as user growth, revenue, or partnerships. If you don’t have traction yet, focus on early indicators of success, such as customer interest, pilot programs, or early adopters.
Address the Competition
Investors want to know how you stack up against the competition. Use your pitch deck to show why your solution is better or different than existing alternatives. Be honest about the challenges and risks, but also highlight your advantages.
End with a Call to Action
Your pitch deck should end with a clear call to action. This could be a request for a follow-up meeting, a specific ask for funding, or a call to download your app or sign up for your service.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Finally, practice your pitch deck until you know it inside and out. Be sure to rehearse in front of others and get feedback. Your presentation should be polished and confident.
Conclusion
A compelling pitch deck is essential for attracting investors and funding for your startup. By following these tips, you can create a presentation that tells a compelling story, highlights your team and traction, addresses the competition, and ends with a clear call to action. Remember to keep it concise, be visual, and practice your presentation until you are confident and polished.
At 7startup, we know that creating a pitch deck can be daunting, especially for first-time founders. That’s why we offer pitch deck design and consulting services to help you create a compelling presentation that will get results. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your startup succeed.
Amit Khanna, 7startup Founder
Amit has 18 years of experience in the industry and an MBA. He supports entrepreneurs with every aspect of their business including concept and product development, investor presentations, and fundraising. Amit & 7startup assist startups in the pre due-diligence process and help connect them to our vast network of investors. Reach out to us today and see if we’re a fit!
