Create a Pitch Deck

A pitch deck is an investor-focused presentation designed to spark interest in your startup. While every investor has unique criteria, all great pitch decks share certain key elements. In this guide, you’ll learn what investors pay attention to and how to structure your deck for maximum impact.

 

What Is a Pitch Deck?

A pitch deck is typically a 10–15 slide presentation that introduces your company. Its purpose is to get investors excited enough to continue the conversation and explore funding opportunities.

Investors see hundreds of presentations each year. Often, you have just a few minutes to make an impression. That’s why your pitch deck must be concise, visually appealing, and laser-focused on your key message.

 

The Core Narrative

Successful pitch decks tend to follow a familiar storyline. Investors want clear answers to specific questions:

• There is a significant problem in the market.
• You have a compelling solution.
• The market is large enough to support a scalable, profitable business.
• Competitors exist, but you have a strong advantage.
• You have a capable team that has already achieved measurable progress.
• You’re seeking investment, expertise, and connections to grow faster.

 

Slides to Include in Your Pitch Deck

• Company Name & Tagline
• Start strong. Introduce your company and share a short, memorable line that explains what you do — for example, Airbnb’s “Book rooms with locals, rather than hotels.”

• Problem
• Present the problem from the customer’s perspective. Explain how big it is and why it’s worth solving. Use data and real-life examples.

• Solution
• Share your solution in a simple, benefit-driven way. Aim for an “aha” moment for the investor.

• Use Case
• Show how your product or service works in practice. Keep it visual and straightforward.

• Business Model
• Explain how you make money — SaaS, subscription, commission-based, direct sales, etc.

• Market
• Demonstrate market size in billions (EUR/USD) and show how you’ll capture your share.

• Competition
• Name your competitors and show why you’re different. Use visuals like a competitive matrix.

• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Describe how you’ll acquire customers — SEO, B2B sales, social media, events, partnerships.

• Traction
• Show proof of demand: early customers, revenue growth, user metrics, or media coverage.

• Current Status & Milestones
• Outline what you’ve achieved so far — funding, partnerships, product launches.

• Team
• Highlight experience and skills that position your team for success.

• Funding Ask
• State how much you’re raising, and how the funds will be used (e.g., “We are seeking €100,000 for product development and customer acquisition over the next 12 months”).

Key Takeaway

There’s no single “perfect” pitch deck, but investors expect you to answer the same core questions. By including these slides and keeping your story clear and concise, you’ll maximize your chances of securing a meeting — and eventually, funding.