But there is one more thing...what NOT to forget when creating your pitch deck.

By Robin Anderson

You have a great idea, and a few friends who are helping realize your dream. While you are busy developing your product, an opportunity pops up where you need to have your pitch deck ready to share.

You may only get one chance, and for that reason alone, you know how important it is that your pitch deck needs to be as solid as possible. Every chance is a missed opportunity when you are not prepared.

Investors are looking for ideas that solve a problem that emerged as a result of COVID-19. Whether that is health-related, or solves a business problem. Timing is important. They are looking for solutions that alleviate or solve some element of the health crisis we are in, or enable a business to open/operate with less restrictions to their employees.

Everyone has heard about the 10 slides you need to include in your pitch deck. There is one slide that is rarely mentioned yet is critically important to include. Do you know what that slide is?

Let’s start by stepping through each slide that needs to be a part of your pitch deck.

Company Purpose

As soon as you have an idea, start documenting it as a part of your pitch deck. Begin with an overview of your business - what do you do? How did you come up with the idea? The last thing you want to do is have someone observe/read through your pitch deck and come away not having a clear idea of what you do. Tell them. Clearly. Using simple words, not jargon or industry acronyms. Writing your company story will help you communicate your purpose, as well as tell your story throughout the pitch.

Customer Problem

Communicate the problem in simple business terms making it as personal as possible and highlighting the pain points that your idea solves. This is the ‘everyone is nodding in agreement’ moment. Use the problem as the title of this slide. If necessary, highlight how the problem you are solving is a pressing need. The urgency can give you an advantage as you are solving a problem that everyone can relate to right now.

The Solution

Next up - your solution. This is the spot where everyone is giddy with joy given your ability to solve their awful problem. The more you can provide details that are easy to relate, the easier it is to sell your solution. Explain why your solution is better than the competition. Sell your solution.

Why Now/Target Market & Market Size

More importantly, why is now a good time for your product? Why now - this is where you address the urgency of the problem and the importance of your solution today. Combine this with details about your target market and the size of your market. Growing markets are good here.

Product

And now, the star of your show - your product. Show how your product works on a slide just in case you experience technical difficulties when giving a demonstration. Having this slide may prove to be a lifesaver. The easier it is to demonstrate (ie. in 3 steps), the quicker your audience will be to understand what you have to offer. Ease of use is HUGE.

Team

Many may not realize the importance of your team. 70% of an investors’ decision is the team.* Your co-founders are important to helping you finalize your product and introducing it to the market. Communicate their importance by sharing the value they bring to your company and this line of business within their bio for your team slide.

Business Model

Show me the money! How are you monetizing your business? What is your business model? Explain how you will make money. Who are your customers? Leverage your knowledge of your persona, those details will help you determine how and where to market. Use data to size your market and understand the cost to obtain customers.

Competition

Show how your product offers clear advantages to the competition. What is your secret sauce? Why is your solution so much better than the competition? Maybe your competition misses the mark. Either way, make note of your competitors and how you can beat them each and every time.

Financial Model

When designing your financial model, create something simple with a three-year projection. While you may have more than one way to monetize your product, start with what is going to work in the beginning. You can add complexity as your business grows. Include a range to show what can be accomplished relative to the amount of money you raise. If you receive X amount of money, you can grow your team to finalize your product, Y amount will help you hire to market your product, and Z to build the business and sell.

Traction

Best thing you can do is show how much people already love your product, so much so, they are willing to pay for it. Include testimonials. Traction shows proof, it validates your business.

And finally, the one slide NOT to forget in your pitch deck:

The Ask (Fundraising)

So many don’t close the deal with their pitch. Make it clear what you need by asking for it. How much do you need? For the money you raise, include how it will be spent as well as how long it will last.

Keep your deck simple and visual. The point of each slide should be clearly communicated. And finally, consider housing your deck on a site such as Docsend. Why? Rather than sending a pdf copy through email, housing your deck on a website minimizes issues with compatibility or simply the ability to open. It also ensures the reader is viewing the most recent copy.

Following the above guidelines will help you be prepared for that opportunity when you least expect it.

Download our pitch deck check list to help make sure the deck covers all the bases!

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Fun Fact

Georges Frédéric Doriot (September 24, 1899 – June 1987) was a French-born American venture capitalist. In 1946, he founded American Research and Development Corporation, the world's first publicly owned venture capital firm, earning him the sobriquet "father of venture capitalism". - Wikipedia

*Top VC Shares Guide to Pitch Deck Outline for Startups Fundraising

Robin Anderson is a Managing Partner at Fly to Soar. She has worked as a marketer in the high-tech industry for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100. Follow Robin and the Fly to Soar Team on Twitter @flytosoar.