Pitch Deck Introduction: The Hook

Like each good story, a pitch deck wants a starting, a center and an finish.

The common enterprise capital agency used to spend about 4 minutes taking a look at a deck, however that quantity is now down to 2 minutes and 30 seconds, in keeping with DocSend. And meaning you actually need to nail your introduction.

The primary slide of your investor pitch ought to embody an icebreaker — some form of truth or transient anecdote that may seize the reader’s consideration.

Within the subsequent one or two slides, present an summary of the issue your organization is addressing and the way you’re going to resolve it. This may naturally lead right into a slide about your broader imaginative and prescient: The place do you see your organization in three, 5 or 10 years?

After laying this all out within the introduction, it’s time to dig into the meat and bones of your startup.

The vast majority of your investor pitch deck ought to cowl these pillars:

• Firm and workforce overview
• Market alternative
• Product and mental property
• GTM and traction

Firm and Workforce Overview

Have you ever and your co-founders (if relevant) began an organization earlier than, or are you able to in any other case show that you realize what you’re entering into? And what about the remainder of your management and different workers?

It’s necessary to indicate that your workforce has the expertise — and the variety of expertise — wanted to really disrupt a market. Embrace related enterprise successes and academic backgrounds as essential.

Market Alternative

You could present traders that there are sufficient prospects keen to pay sufficient cash on your product to justify your goal valuation.

Do that by counting on top-down analysis from market analyst companies and in addition by taking a bottoms-up strategy: multiplying the anticipated variety of potential prospects by the common deal dimension to calculate your complete addressable market.

Product and Mental Property

Your product is the important thing to tapping into the market alternative you’ve recognized. Clearly clarify to traders the way it works and the way it’s completely different from different merchandise in the marketplace, and showcase any mental property behind it that traders might discover significantly helpful.

GTM and Traction

Clarify the way you market and promote your product. Use gross sales knowledge and buyer tales to indicate that your go-to-market technique is working. Spotlight any distinguished prospects and key use circumstances to show confidence in your organization.

Extra Highlights

Don’t depart your investor presentation wishing you’d mentioned one thing extra. If there’s anything about you and your organization that stands out, similar to compelling statistics or fascinating tales, embody them in your deck.

Typically it’s these items which have the most important affect on traders.

Monetary Validation

Buyers can be in search of some proof factors of product market match, and there’s no higher method to show that than with paying prospects producing annual recurring income. Different metrics you might need to embody if you pitch to traders are:

• gross margin
• month-to-month burn
• common contract worth
• internet income retention
• buyer acquisition price
• product utilization and engagement

Buyers may even need to see your gross sales pipeline worth, however that’s sometimes a request made later through the diligence course of.

Pitch Deck Conclusion: The Ask

A variety of founders ask, “Must you make a slide asking for cash in your deck?” The reply is 100% sure.

On the finish of your investor pitch deck, you must clearly lay out what it’s you’re asking for. Specificity is essential right here. Don’t simply say, “We’re looking for traders in a $1.4 million Seed spherical at a $9 million valuation.”

As an alternative, say:

• how a lot you need to increase;
• why you need to increase that quantity;
• the important thing investments you’ll make with that financing; and
• the milestones you hope to attain.

Thank You and Subsequent Steps

Lastly, be certain that to finish with a thanks and subsequent steps slide. The extra you possibly can construct connections with traders — even when they move in your particular alternative — the extra doorways that may open up for you over time.