Revising a pitch deck generally is a daunting activity, but it surely’s an important step in the direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds gentle on probably the most impactful classes discovered from suggestions by angel traders. You’ll uncover why it’s important to spell out your secret sauce proper from the beginning and the way illustrating particular, quantifiable milestones could make all of the distinction. Dive into these 17 professional insights that may rework your pitch and enhance your probabilities of success.
- Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
- Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
- Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
- Pitch in Format Traders Count on
- Concentrate on What Lands Traders
- Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
- Create an Unimaginable-to-Refuse Slide
- Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
- Determine Patterns in Suggestions
- Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
- Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
- Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
- Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
- Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise
- Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
- Emphasize Unit-Economics
- Present Blue-Sky Pondering
Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
When pitching my enterprise, nearly all angel traders would ask me to clarify my “secret sauce” straight away.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: after I first bought excited by productiveness as an idea, I attempted a number of totally different choices on supply to assist individuals enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the proper match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be searching for. So, I constructed the platform I wished with my firm, the place expertise, technique, and the human contact come collectively.
So, my recommendation to others can be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist traders know what makes you distinctive and investable.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
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Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
From my expertise working with numerous startups, one of the crucial vital classes I’ve discovered about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final 12 months. The startup had an incredible AI-powered resolution for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and complicated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel traders who appeared to lose curiosity midway by, we helped them rework their deck to guide with the issue and market alternative first. The change was outstanding—as a substitute of opening with their expertise, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the business, adopted by actual tales from annoyed provide chain managers.
This strategy instantly grabbed traders’ consideration as a result of it confirmed we understood what actually mattered to them: the market potential and the burning downside that wanted fixing. The revised deck generated considerably extra investor curiosity, they usually secured their seed spherical inside two months. It taught me that traders, particularly on the angel stage, care extra concerning the problem-solution match and market alternative than the technical intricacies of how your product works. Technical particulars nonetheless matter, however they need to assist your story, not be the story itself.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Guide and CEO, spectup
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
The one game-changing factor I discovered from our enterprise angel at Wunderlist is that it’s not about any single slide; it’s about story construction.
I used to suppose every slide needed to stand alone, however the perfect recommendation I bought was to think about it like a three-act story: set up urgency round the issue, excite across the alternative, and save your heavy ammo, like early traction and partnerships, for the third-act climax.
As soon as we restructured it this fashion, abruptly, traders have been leaning ahead of their seats as a substitute of simply politely nodding alongside.
Sebastian Scheerer, Founder & CEO, Superfounder.io
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Pitch in Format Traders Count on
The one lesson that I discovered when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% must pitch within the format traders count on. On the subject of pitching, “Know your viewers” is extraordinarily vital. I just like the framework: Hearts-Minds-Wallets. To create a pitch deck, it makes use of storytelling and a very good (and pretty typical) movement.
Additionally, after pitching numerous enterprise proposals up to now, I’d say that pitching is a ability. Storytelling is a ability. It’s one thing you possibly can enhance on. Telling your story is among the most vital abilities you want as a founder. There are frameworks (like Hearts-Minds-Wallets) that may legitimately assist.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Head, Sticker It
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Concentrate on What Lands Traders
On the subject of pitch-deck revisions, I’ve discovered one factor: Each individual has their very own opinion and choice for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper method” is no matter lands you the traders and companions which can be a very good match in your startup. The “unsuitable method” is each different method.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
One essential lesson I discovered when revising our pitch deck, primarily based on suggestions from angel traders, was understanding how comparisons to opponents can impression investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our resolution alongside present market gamers would emphasize the hole we have been filling and showcase how our resolution is totally different.
Nevertheless, this strategy truly ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with opponents that traders considered as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we have been constructing with the remainder of the deck.
As a substitute of specializing in opponents, we would have liked to show how our mannequin was new and why that distinctness would drive longevity and make our firm a robust funding. This shift allowed us to current our resolution as an modern chief somewhat than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Price Retriever
Create an Unimaginable-to-Refuse Slide
After I first began pitching, I approached the deck as a narrative, with a starting, center, and an thrilling buildup to probably the most spectacular a part of the enterprise. I wished to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and instructed me that traders evaluation 1000’s of decks and infrequently solely spend a couple of seconds per slide.
As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged a further problem: unconscious biases can generally lead traders to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my strategy. So, I created what I name an “impossible-to-refuse” slide—a slide full of our greatest stats, metrics, buyer traction, and any “wow” issue that would make an investor sit up and say, “Whoa, that is totally different.”
Main with this data-driven, high-impact slide was a recreation changer. This strategy helped to counteract biases and set a assured tone for the remainder of the presentation. It’s one thing many feminine founders might have to think about—typically, we have to be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from traders.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
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Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
Understanding the significance of a “Why Now” slide was a game-changer throughout our pitch deck revisions. Angel traders need to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this precise second, in search of a mixture of market traits, shifts in expertise, or altering shopper conduct. Highlighting this side might be the tipping level in convincing traders.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly because of an elevated deal with residence wellness and the continued development towards residence upgrades. Persons are keen to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered existence develop. This development makes now the proper time for a model providing distinctive, high-end out of doors luxuries.
Leveraging the “SOAR” framework can strengthen the effectiveness of the “Why Now” slide. Begin with Strengths that the enterprise brings to this chance. Comply with with Alternatives that exist because of present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations your corporation seeks to satisfy by capturing this chance as we speak. Wrap up with Outcomes your corporation goals to realize by appearing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR presents traders a logical and compelling cause to imagine within the timeliness and potential of your enterprise, successfully demonstrating anticipation of future success.
Andrei Newman, Founder, Casa Blui
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Determine Patterns in Suggestions
One of many largest classes I discovered from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is you can’t over-rotate primarily based on each single remark. It’s straightforward to get caught up in making an attempt to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As a substitute, you have to pay attention rigorously and establish patterns within the suggestions.
After a couple of pitches, you begin to discover which components of your presentation really resonate with traders. Their eyes gentle up, they lean in, they usually ask insightful questions. Pay shut consideration to these moments and the people who find themselves genuinely engaged. These are the indicators that inform you what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.
In the end, your pitch deck ought to inform a compelling story that captures the essence of your corporation and its potential. By rigorously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that really resonate with traders, you possibly can refine your pitch and improve your probabilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My largest takeaway from updating my pitch deck because of receiving suggestions from angel traders was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as a substitute of imprecise metrics about development. Traders wanted route, however not simply within the type of projected income or market share.
They wanted very clear, measurable, time-based steps that clearly outlined how we’d proceed from one section to the subsequent, corresponding to hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption objectives, or partnerships that may unlock the subsequent section of development. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely lifelike and primarily based on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to only embrace these actions and provides a extra centered, step-by-step image of our subsequent transfer.
And that modified the best way they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in a giant concept however in a method they might see coming into actuality. It’s one factor to say develop, but when I gave specificity about what development was at every stage, it instructed them we’d truly laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.
Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped
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Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
Revising a pitch deck primarily based on suggestions from angel traders generally is a transformative expertise. One important lesson discovered is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Traders recognize simple narratives that articulate your corporation’s function and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it grew to become clear that simplifying advanced concepts and specializing in core messages was important.
One other essential perception is the worth of tailoring the pitch to the viewers. Traders typically have totally different pursuits and priorities, so adjusting the pitch to align with their particular objectives can improve engagement. This strategy not solely makes the presentation extra related but additionally demonstrates an understanding of the traders’ views.
Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue your corporation solves. Traders need to see a transparent connection between the market want and your resolution. Reinforcing this connection could make your pitch extra compelling and present that you’re not simply promoting a product however addressing an actual problem out there.
Total, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful device for refining your pitch. Listening to traders and making changes primarily based on their enter can result in a more practical presentation that resonates with potential backers.
Ramzy Humsi, Founder & CEO, Vortex Ranker
Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
Crafting a compelling exit technique is essential in attracting and assuring angel traders. Traders need to know not solely concerning the improvements you convey but additionally when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights attainable acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap exhibiting the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures traders that you just’ve thought of their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Patrons, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Determine corporations which may profit from buying your corporation; these are your potential patrons. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to change into engaging to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for once you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic considering but additionally will increase investor confidence, mitigating their danger and exhibiting that you just’re in it for the lengthy haul.
Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
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Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck primarily based on angel investor suggestions was discovering the way to bridge the data hole in a method that’s each partaking and persuasive. Once we initially pitched our firm, we’d dive straight into explaining the user-generated content material (UGC) mannequin and why it’s the longer term. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many traders, it was clear that this strategy didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this area.
The suggestions actually helped us see the significance of “present, don’t inform.” So we made the opening extra dynamic and visually wealthy, leaning into short-form content material since, as a UGC-focused startup, we all know this medium properly. As a substitute of a regular clarification, we launched UGC with a short-form type overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This strategy instantly put us in our component, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for traders to know the UGC idea and, crucially, see its potential.
By the point we’d applied this, the tone of our shows had shifted noticeably. As a substitute of getting caught in a “that is what UGC is” loop, we discovered traders asking extra related questions, indicating they “bought it” and have been inquisitive about subsequent steps. This variation led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we discovered that should you’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a method that feels accessible and fascinating—particularly if it means assembly traders on acquainted floor whereas showcasing your experience.
Yannick Habraken, Founder / CMO, Hyred
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Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise
Most pitch decks are very complete across the merchandise/worth proposition, applied sciences, market alternative, income mannequin/profitability, operations & scalability, capital planning, and many others. Nevertheless, angel traders, particularly, have typically already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be chatting with you with out the above.
As a substitute, what they’re typically most excited by is YOU and the management workforce! Make sure you show your workforce’s well-rounded expertise and abilities and, extra importantly, your function/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel traders are investing in YOU and the management workforce far more than the merchandise/providers and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Accomplice, Prosperity Companions Consulting, Inc.
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is that readability sells. I packed it with knowledge, considering it will present my preparedness. As a substitute, traders wished simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the litter.
One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t must see every part ; we have to see that what issues.”
So, I trimmed down the slides, focusing solely on the story that highlighted our distinctive edge, the market’s actual ache factors, and our scalable resolution. I discovered to current numbers in a method that feels intuitive, telling a story as a substitute of itemizing stats.
The distinction was instant. Traders leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch grew to become a dialog, not a lecture, and, finally, it resonated as a result of it was exact and memorable.
John Beaver, Founder, Desky
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Emphasize Unit-Economics
A useful lesson I discovered from revising my pitch deck after angel traders’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Traders want to grasp the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made certain to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition value (CAC) and lifelong worth (LTV). These figures helped make clear how we may develop profitably and confirmed that the enterprise mannequin is scalable and sustainable in the long run.
Together with these metrics gave the deck extra credibility, making the funding alternative extra compelling. It additionally allowed traders to see a transparent path to profitability, rising their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Charge Monetary
Present Blue-Sky Pondering
After I was elevating a pre-seed spherical, the recurring query from angels and VCs was concerning the sustainability of the enterprise and the way prospects will change into recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.ok.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want somewhat than one thing a consumer wants each week.
And whereas I’ve had knowledge to showcase that 27% of our prospects have been returning each month to generate private branding content material for his or her social media, I understood that this in itself was not a sufficiently big problem I used to be fixing and that my considering wanted to go a lot larger.
I revised my pitch deck to point out blue-sky considering—to point out traders that this product may develop right into a billion-dollar concept. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising and marketing product roadmap that I rapidly validated by getting early signups from a couple of enterprise shoppers that have been already utilizing us for his or her workforce AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I finally declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Strive it on AI
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