Prepare a pitch deck for your company using a PowerPoint File WITH AUDIO NOTE: THE PITCH MUST BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. ANY PITCHES THAT RUN LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES WILL BE STOPPED AT THE 10 MINUTE MARK AND GRADED AS OF THAT POINT IN THE PRE

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.