After reviewing 500+ pitch decks/memos in the past few months from startups for @OverlookedVC, I have a few tips on how to stand out... [THREAD]
1/ Clear differentiator / competitive advantage
Tell us WHY you are different than other similar products/companies and HOW you plan to execute to outperform them.
If an investor asks "what's your moat?" this will be your reply.
Tell us WHY you are different than other similar products/companies and HOW you plan to execute to outperform them.
If an investor asks "what's your moat?" this will be your reply.
2/ Easily repeatable and memorable one-liner
Ditch the overused phrases “solving X one Y at a time” “democratizing X” “The X of Y” - instead say something bold and direct and memorable.
Also, ditch the jargon. Are you *really* using AI and GPT-3 or is that a marketing play?
Ditch the overused phrases “solving X one Y at a time” “democratizing X” “The X of Y” - instead say something bold and direct and memorable.
Also, ditch the jargon. Are you *really* using AI and GPT-3 or is that a marketing play?
3/ HOW BIG IS THE MARKET
Right off the bat, surprise the reader with the large market size and don’t hide it in the deck for everyone to search around.
Right off the bat, surprise the reader with the large market size and don’t hide it in the deck for everyone to search around.
4/ Sign-posting!
Use your headers to tell a story.
Instead of Problem / Solution / Market headers, say the problem, the solution, and the size of the market or type of market to catch the attention in case people are scrolling. Don't waste the space!
Use your headers to tell a story.
Instead of Problem / Solution / Market headers, say the problem, the solution, and the size of the market or type of market to catch the attention in case people are scrolling. Don't waste the space!
5/ Competitive landscape chart
This is a key slide because it shows immediately that you know the market and know where you fit in.
The reader can also recognize logos and easily say “Ah ha! THAT’s how they’re different” in a quick and visual way.
This is a key slide because it shows immediately that you know the market and know where you fit in.
The reader can also recognize logos and easily say “Ah ha! THAT’s how they’re different” in a quick and visual way.
6/ SHOW THE PRODUCT
Look, if you're a product company, I want to SEE the product. Even if it's mockups. Show screenshots of an app, images of the physical product, anything!
Look, if you're a product company, I want to SEE the product. Even if it's mockups. Show screenshots of an app, images of the physical product, anything!
7/ How will you make money?
You wouldn't believe how many decks don't include a business model.
How will you make money and how much have you made already? Was this another company the pivoted? Tell me that. How much did the other company/service make?
You wouldn't believe how many decks don't include a business model.
How will you make money and how much have you made already? Was this another company the pivoted? Tell me that. How much did the other company/service make?
8/ Concise team page
No one wants to read paragraphs about the team, advisors, and testimonials on the first look.
Just share quick team bullet points or logos of partnerships/customers for credibility. We can get into the nitty-gritty of the team later.
No one wants to read paragraphs about the team, advisors, and testimonials on the first look.
Just share quick team bullet points or logos of partnerships/customers for credibility. We can get into the nitty-gritty of the team later.
9/ Traction!
Show how many people have tried it, how many active customers you have, how much revenue you’ve made. The progress and milestones.
Show how many people have tried it, how many active customers you have, how much revenue you’ve made. The progress and milestones.
10/ Personality
Be yourself! Show personality. Don't lose your excitement and character inside the metrics of the deck. Investors want to invest in people first.
Be yourself! Show personality. Don't lose your excitement and character inside the metrics of the deck. Investors want to invest in people first.
11/ @loom video pitch
One way to stand out is to send a loom link of you sharing the deck so you can give your own intro and commentary through the pitch. Just make sure it isn't too long. 3-5min is ideal.
One way to stand out is to send a loom link of you sharing the deck so you can give your own intro and commentary through the pitch. Just make sure it isn't too long. 3-5min is ideal.
12/ Clear CTA
The final slide is where you present your ASK. Make sure you don't end the deck with a bunch of fluff or it won't be memorable. Make the ASK and a clear call-to-action.
"Seeking: $500K for X% and closing our round Oct 2021"
The final slide is where you present your ASK. Make sure you don't end the deck with a bunch of fluff or it won't be memorable. Make the ASK and a clear call-to-action.
"Seeking: $500K for X% and closing our round Oct 2021"
13/ Appendix
I've been seeing some decks with appendices lately and I don't mind it. I think it's a good way to share more information about sections that an investor might be curious about but don't go overboard. No one wants to open a deck and see 36 pages.
I've been seeing some decks with appendices lately and I don't mind it. I think it's a good way to share more information about sections that an investor might be curious about but don't go overboard. No one wants to open a deck and see 36 pages.
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