How to Create a Pitch Deck That'll Get You FUNDED?
You’re probably asking yourself, “How can I get investors to fund my startup?”
Well, you’ll need a reliable sidekick to raise funds: A pitch deck…
Not just any deck, a well-designed one that clearly shows investors why your startup matters.
With the right pitch deck by your side, you’ll have the SUPERPOWER to convince investors and secure funds effortlessly.
But here’s the thing…
A poorly designed pitch deck can do more HARM than good. It’ll confuse your audience, drain their attention, and leave them questioning whether your idea is worth investing in. You don’t want that.
So, how do you make a pitch deck for investors that works?
So, after designing 500+ pitch decks, we know what works and what doesn’t. Here’s a quick guide:
Do’s and Don’ts for a Winning Investor Pitch Deck
Investors see hundreds of pitches a week. If you want to STAND OUT, you need more than just slides.
Here’s what you should keep in mind:
What to Do?
Tell a story.
People remember stories, not bullet points. Wrap your pitch in a narrative that hooks investors from the first slide.
Highlight your traction.
Investors love to see growth. Show them the upward journey—your progress, milestones, and that you’re heading in the right direction.
Show, don’t tell.
Ditch the long paragraphs. Use visuals, graphics, and illustrations to let your investor pitch deck express more with few words. The deck should support your pitch, not be the pitch.
Demonstrate your product.
Your product is a BIG deal. Include a product demo or mockup that explains exactly how it works.
What to Avoid?
Too much information.
Your investment pitch deck doesn’t need to be your company’s complete history. Keep it crisp. Highlight only the essentials.
Industry jargon.
Not every investor speaks your industry’s language. Keep it simple, so no one feels left out or confused.
Low-quality design.
Your pitch deck is your first impression. So, avoid seeming too casual. Loop in a professional team to make it look SHARP.
Out-of-date information.
Outdated data kills credibility. So, do a final check and make sure all your data is up-to-date and accurate.
5 Key Slides for Your Pitch Deck
We get it—you don’t want to miss a single detail in your pitch deck. But here’s the thing… LESS is more.
You don’t need 30 slides to wow investors. Focus on these four, and you’re off to a great start:
1. Problem
This is your chance to show investors the key problem your company is solving for its customers. The problem must be clear, relevant, and urgent to capture their attention.
Purpose
This is where you answer the BIG question every investor has: Why does your company exist? Investors want to know if your problem is significant enough to justify a business.
How to approach it?
Write down the problem in simple terms.
Use relatable examples or compelling data to highlight the issue.
Use visuals to communicate well and create an impact
What do Investors expect?
They’ll want to know:
What’s the problem?
Why does it matter?
Is there a current solution, and why is it insufficient?
Why are YOU the better option?
2. Solution
Here’s where your product or service steps in as the hero. You’ve presented the problem; now show how your solution effectively solves it.
Purpose
This slide proves that your company has a viable, competitive solution. Investors must understand how your product or service is better than the alternatives.
How to approach it?
Clearly describe how your solution works.
Use mockups, flowcharts, or a short demo to visualize the solution.
Focus on the unique features that set your solution apart.
What do Investors expect?
They’ll want answers to these questions:
How does your solution work?
Is it a practical and scalable fix to the problem?
Why are YOU the better option?
3. How It Works
It’s time to walk investors through how your product works. This is where your product truly shines.
Purpose
Investors need to see that your solution isn’t just a good idea but a practical, well-executed one. This slide should clearly explain how your product works and why it stands out in the market.
How to approach it?
Break down your process in simple terms.
Use visuals like product mockups, flow charts, or even a short demo video to illustrate each step.
Make sure the slide is clean and concise—you don’t need to show
everything, just the highlights.
What do Investors expect?
They’ll be asking:
How does your product actually work?
What does it look like in action?
Is it a practical solution to the problem?
Why is it better than other options out there?
4. Traction
When you’re raising funds, you need performance indicators to show that your product is getting the value or audience’s interest.
Purpose
Startup investments are risky ventures. A solid traction slide shows them that their investment isn’t a shot in the dark—it’s a calculated move toward success.
How to approach it?
Collect data on sales, growth, endorsements, pre-orders, and partnerships
Highlight the data that showcases your value the best
Find appealing ways to highlight these data. Our recommendation? Use graphs. They work the best
What do Investors expect?
They’ll want to see:
Are you making progress?
Are you close to achieving the product-market fit?
Do people love your product?
Is there REAL growth?
5. Business Model & Financials
An amazing idea is great, but it’s the execution that counts. This slide explains how you plan to make money.
Purpose
Investors need to know how you plan to generate revenue and if your business model is viable.
How to approach it?
Summarize your business model using impactful phrases
List your revenue streams and pricing strategies
Tie it all together using intelligent design
What do Investors expect?
They’ll be looking for answers to:
How are you generating revenue?
What is the total revenue?
What products will generate income?
3 Good-to-Have Slides You Could Include
While there are essential slides you must have in your pitch deck, and these additional slides can give your presentation that extra edge. They’re not mandatory, but they can help win over investors.
1. Market Overview
Investors want to know if you’re stepping into a promising market with real opportunities. This slide offers a snapshot of the market you’re entering and why it’s the perfect time for your product.
Use a bold, clear headline to state your mission/vision.
Incorporate visuals or icons that represent your core values.
2. Team
It all starts with a POWERFUL team. So, showcase your core team, their expertise, and any well-known board members. This is where you flaunt the talent and leadership to bring your vision to life.
Use headshots for each team member, along with short titles.
Keep the layout clean with minimal text—let the visuals do the talking.
Consider using a grid format to keep everything organized and easy to read.
3. Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy
A great product is only half the battle—you need a clear plan for getting it into your customers’ hands. That’s where your GTM strategy comes in. Use this slide to discuss your pricing, sales channels, and how you’ll create a smooth path for your buyers.
Use flowcharts or infographics to illustrate the customer journey.
Highlight key data points with icons or bold fonts to draw attention.
Stick to a simple color scheme that aligns with your brand, so it doesn’t overwhelm the message.
What to Do After You’ve Pitched?
So you’ve delivered your pitch deck. What now?.
Don’t sit back and wait. The REAL value is in the follow-up. Investors rarely make decisions on the spot.
Here’s your post-pitch checklist:
Send a copy of your pitch deck. Keep your idea fresh in their minds.
Answer any questions. Address any concerns or questions that came up during the pitch.
Attach any requested documents. If they asked for something specific, don’t make them wait—get it to them ASAP.
Loop them into your company’s progress, milestones, and any exciting news since the pitch. Consistent updates show that your business is on the move.
Key takeaway…
Creating a pitch deck for investors is more than just putting together a few slides. It’s about telling a compelling story, keeping your investors engaged, and showing why your business is worth their time and money.
Here’s a quick recap:
Less is more. Keep your deck simple and to the point..
Focus on key slides. Problem, Solution, Traction, and Business Model—these are what investors care about most..
Use visuals. Don’t just tell, show. Graphics, mockups, and charts will bring your pitch to life..
Follow up. Your pitch doesn’t end when the slides are over. Keep the conversation going.
A well-designed pitch deck is your ticket to securing investment. And, as pitch deck experts, we know what works.
Ready to create a winning pitch deck? Book a discovery call and bring your story to life!
