Put up a show – Pitch Deck elements to include for maximum persuasion

So after a series of blogs trying to help you with investors and other elements, it's finally time to sit with you and help you frame the most important documents of your startup – the notoriously famous pitch deck. 

Building and conceptualising a pitch deck can be one of the hardest tasks for a startup and the core team. While the underlying goal is to raise money for a number of reasons – the main idea is to first persuade your potential investors to give you a follow-up meeting after having gained an impressive idea of your venture. 

Crafting and sequencing your pitch deck components so as to tell an effective story is crucial to building that relationship.

Think of your pitch deck as a movie trailer. This trailer should introduce the key beats to build interest and excitement without giving away the full story. 

An impressive pitch deck should include these 10 elements – 

1. The Problem: Introduce the story by personalizing the problem, creating tension in your audience’s minds.
2. The Solution: Offer a glimpse of hope, promising to resolve the problem.
3. Product Features: Showcase the main features that make the solution possible, building your potential investors’ confidence in your solution.
4. Market: Introduce your setting and characters. Show investors who stand to benefit. Start building a picture of customers in your investors’ minds.
5. Competition & Potential Risks: Increase the tension again by disclosing the risks and opportunities ahead.
6. Revenue and Operating Model: Reassure your investors by demonstrating a persuasive plan for success.
7. Traction: Increase potential investors’ confidence in your ability to execute by sharing your record of success.
8. Projections: Build excitement by showing where you expect to be in five years.
9. Team: Introduce your partners. Help investors relate to your company. Show why your lineup is qualified to execute what you’ve promised to do.
10. Your why: Explain the role you’re asking these investors to play in bringing this product to life, and create urgency by showing why you need them now.

Now in the end, you have to remember that there is no such thing as a universal pitch deck template that works for every startup, but there are important narrative elements that can help you capture the essence of your company’s unique story, persuading investors to help you see it through to the end.

Our little tip – Venture capitalists hate pitch decks because they become so repetitive. They are bombarded with a growing number of these presentations, so don’t be afraid to show some creativity and make yours memorable. At the same time, make sure you’re armed with all the data and insights you’ll need to answer the questions your presentation will generate.