When to use Startup Pitch Deck template
This template is created by our team for startups looking for funding, primarily early stage, rather than series A or B. Later stage startups usually need a more detailed pitch about their financials, their growth, traction, customers, etc.
What is the purpose or goal of this pitch deck (i. e. the template)?
The ultimate goal of the pitch (using the deck) is to convince investors to invest in your startup. Usually you'll be sending the pitch deck to a lot of investors, while only a few usually respond. As a next step, you'll have some conversations with potential investors who show interest, while you keep refining the pitch deck based on the feedback you get. This way the pitch deck is a living document that is not only telling your story to investors, but also helping you structuring your thoughts about the strategy of your startup.
The slides of the pitch deck explained in detail.
Slide 1 - The title slide
What is on the purpose of the slide?
The title slide needs to be eye catching and memorable. It should be a single sentence with the name and the essence of your startup.
Slide 2 - The agenda slide
What is on the purpose of the slide?
Potential investors will get a brief overview of what you'll be talking about in the presentation. They will understand immediately if your pitch contains all relevant information they need to know. They will also understand if you're organized and structured in your thinking.
Slide 3 - Company Overview & Vision
What is on the purpose of the slide?
A potential investor want to know very briefly what your startup is about, who you are and what your vision is. Investors usually want you to aim high and have a big vision for your startup, because they want to invest in a startup that has a big potential and 10x their investment. If you don't have a big vision, it's most likely that they will not invest in your startup because the expected return on investment might not be suitable for their investment goals.
What is the content of the slide?
Usually you'd have a few short sentences about your mission, vision, and value proposition. But don't dive too deep into the details here, as you'll be diving deeper into these topics in the following slides.
Slide 4 - The Problem We're Solving
What is on the purpose of the slide?
A startup should solve a real world problem. The interesting part is that the problem in many cases is not obvious to most people. Usually it's a technological advancement, a change in government regulations, a change in consumer behavior or a change in industry standards, etc. that sparks a new opportunity. Make the problem (inefficiency, pain point, etc.) very clear to your audience.
Also, make sure you have actual domain expertise in the problem you're solving. If you don't you might not actually be seeing the problem correctly.
What is the content of the slide?
On this slide you can describe the problem in more detail, like pain points of customers, inefficiencies in the industry, inadquate b2b or b2csolutions, and so on.
Slide 5 - Our Innovative Solution
What is on the purpose of the slide?
You need to convince your audience or investor, that your solution is the best (or at lead very competitive) solution on the market, if not the only solution. Do you have a MOAT? Describe it in a few sentences. You don't know what a MOAT is? Then please do some research on it :)
What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a product description, your features, and more importantly, your core: What is outstanding, what is your USP, what is your MOAT, what is your unfair advantage? All those are phrases for pretty much the same thing.
Slide 6 - Market Size & Opportunity
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
Investors want to know the size of the opportunity. Include your Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM), and Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) to show you understand the market landscape.
- What is the content of the slide?
On this slide you can describe the market size and opportunity in more detail, like the TAM, SAM, SOM, and the growth drivers.
Slide 7 - Business Model & Revenue Strategy
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The business model is the way you make money. It's the core of your startup. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the business model, like the revenue streams, the pricing model, the cost structure, and the profit margin.
Slide 8 - Competitive Landscape
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The competitive landscape is the landscape of your competitors. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the competitive landscape, like the competitors, the market share, the competitive advantage, and the competitive disadvantage.
Slide 9 - Traction & Key Metrics
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The traction is the evidence that your startup is working. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the traction, like the user growth, the revenue, the key metrics, and the milestones.
Slide 10 - Founding Team & Advisors
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The founding team is the team that is behind the startup. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the founding team, like the team members, the team expertise, and the team experience.
Slide 11 - Financial Projections
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The financial projections are the financial projections of your startup. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the financial projections, like the revenue, the expenses, the profit, and the cash flow.
Slide 12 - Funding Ask & Milestones
- What is on the purpose of the slide?
The funding ask is the amount of money you're asking for. You need to describe it in a few sentences.
- What is the content of the slide?
The slide contains a description of the funding ask, like the amount of money you're asking for, the use of funds, and the milestones.