10 Minute Pitch

How To Create A Pitch Deck

The “Perfect” Pitch Deck • Ask 10 VC’s what their “perfect” pitch deck

looks like, and you’ll likely get 10 different responses.

• Fred Wilson, of Union Square Ventures, suggests you “keep it to six slides”.

• Guy Kawasaki, of Garage Technology Ventures (and Apple and Google), uses the 10/20/30 rule – 10 slides, 20 minutes, 30 point font.

The “Perfect” Pitch Deck • Regardless of size, all great pitch decks tell

a compelling story. • Set up the ‘problem’ (opportunity). • Tell how you’re going to solve it. • Introduce the team that will get it done. • Provide other information. • Ten slides (maximum).

The Ten Slides - First Five 1. Cover – contact information and tagline. 2. Opportunity – the problem and pain

points. 3. Team – investors are investing in you, so I

like this slide right up front. 4. Product – benefits and how it addresses

the problem (opportunity in number 2). 5. Market size – supported by research.

The Ten Slides – Last Five 6. Business model – how you make money. 7. Competition – why you’re better, but

don’t “knock” the competition. 8. Go to market strategy – how will you

gain users/customers. 9. Traction – what have you already

accomplished – revenues, users, partners. 10. What you need – how much, how used.

Final Thoughts • Put financials projections, headcount,

milestones or timelines in an appendix. Pull them up if asked (and that’s a good sign).

• Vet your deck with advisors, friends, or even VC’s for useful feedback.

• “A PowerPoint greatly increases your chance of getting a term sheet, or the dignity of a quick no.” - David Cowan, Bessemer Venture Partners.