Mastering the Art of the Pitch Deck: Essential Tips for Startup Success

Creating a compelling pitch deck is a crucial step in securing funding for your startup. At Ed Grants, we've seen countless pitch decks and have distilled our knowledge into these essential tips to help you craft a winning presentation.

Start with the Experts

Before diving in, we highly recommend reading these comprehensive guides from Y Combinator:

• For seed rounds: How to Build Your Seed Round Pitch Deck

• For pitch deck design: How to Design a Better Pitch Deck

• Y Combinator's guide: How to Build a Great Series A Pitch and Deck

• Our free resource with AI-powered prompts: Move Fast or Die

  
  

Stick to the Standard Order

For seed investments, don't reinvent the wheel. Use the tried-and-true order from the Sequoia pitch deck template. Any additional slides should come after an "Additional Slides" slide. Remember, investors spend less than 30 seconds on each deck, so make every slide count.

Keep it Concise

Most investors will view your deck on their phones. Avoid large paragraphs and aim for about 100 words per slide. Be clear, concise, and impactful with your messaging.

Back Up Your Claims

In your problem/needs slide, include links to references. This shows investors you've done your homework and aren't inventing a need.

Highlight Your Team

Don't just list names on your team slide. Include interesting, relevant information about each team member that showcases why they're the right people for this venture.

Showcase Your Advisors

If you have an advisory board, make sure to include them. Their expertise and reputation can lend credibility to your startup.

Present a Bottom-Up TAM

Instead of just throwing out a large number with a "B" for billion, show a bottom-up Total Addressable Market (TAM) calculation. This demonstrates a more nuanced understanding of your market potential and shows investors you've thought critically about your opportunity.

Address the Risks

We recommend including a "Why Not Invest in Us" or main risks slide. This shows investors you're thoughtful about potential challenges and have plans to address them. For more on this strategy, check out our article: [Link to article about addressing risks in pitch decks]

Explain "Why Now"

Include a “Why Now” slide that showcases headers of articles supporting your claim that this is the right time to invest in your startup. This helps create a sense of urgency and timeliness for your venture.

Remember, a great pitch deck is just the beginning. It's the tool that gets you in the room - your passion, knowledge, and ability to answer tough questions will ultimately win over investors. Good luck with your fundraising journey!