In today’s competitive startup landscape, having a compelling pitch deck can make all the difference in attracting investors. A pitch deck is a presentation that highlights the key elements of your business and showcases its growth potential. It serves as your startup’s calling card and can be the gateway to securing funding.
Your startup pitch deck needs to define your business objectives, be visually appealing, and highlight your potential scalability if you want to get investors. You can make one by defining your objectives for the deck, researching your target audience and then creating it with impact in mind.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of a startup pitch deck, when you need one, the types of pitch decks, and the key elements that make an excellent pitch deck. We’ll also provide tips for creating a visually appealing and professional pitch deck, with some resources and tools that can assist you.
Why is a startup pitch deck important?
A startup pitch deck is important because it allows you to concisely communicate your business idea and its potential to investors. It serves as a visual aid that helps you capture and maintain their attention, as well as convey your vision and passion for your startup.
A well-crafted pitch deck can not only demonstrate your understanding of the market and industry but also showcase the scalability and profitability of your business model. If created correctly, it can help investors evaluate the feasibility and potential return on investment (ROI) of your startup.
When does your startup need a pitch deck?
A pitch deck is a necessary tool for startups at various stages of their journey. You need one — whether you’re seeking seed funding, angel investors, or venture capital. After all, it’s how you can differentiate your startup from competitors and position yourself as a credible and investable opportunity.
However, creating a compelling pitch deck involves more than just showcasing your product or service to financial backers that can help drive growth. It requires a deep understanding of your target market, a clear articulation of your unique value proposition, and a solid financial plan.
After all, investors want to see not only the potential for high returns but also a well-thought-out strategy for mitigating risks and scaling the business. Therefore, your pitch deck should include detailed market research, a competitive analysis, and a roadmap for future growth.
We’ll explore more creation tips in a moment. For now, let’s explore the types of pitch decks.
Types of pitch decks
Having a strong pitch deck is crucial when you find yourself in a position to attract potential investors for growth capital or strategic partnerships. However, there are several types of pitch decks — each tailored to different stages of your startup’s growth.
The following are the types of startup pitch decks:
- Elevator pitch deck. This is a concise and impactful pitch deck that captures the essence of your business in a short amount of time — typically within 5 to 10 slides. It’s used for initial introductions and brief encounters with potential investors.
- Investor presentation deck. This type of pitch deck is more detailed and comprehensive — ranging from 10 to 20 slides. It provides a deeper understanding of your business model, market opportunity, competitive landscape, and financial projections.
- Demo day deck. Demo day decks are specifically designed for startup accelerators or demo events. They focus on showcasing your product or service, highlighting its unique features and value proposition.
- Growth deck. As your startup progresses and achieves milestones, a growth deck becomes important to showcase your traction, customer acquisition, revenue projections, and expansion plans. It’s aimed at securing larger investments and scaling your business.
Creating the right type of pitch deck for your startup is crucial in attracting potential investors and partners. Each type serves a specific purpose and should be tailored to the audience you are presenting to.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand the nuances of each deck and how they can help you effectively communicate your business idea.
What are the key parts of a startup pitch deck?
The design and layout of your pitch deck play a significant role in capturing the attention of investors. A visually appealing deck with clear and concise information can make a lasting impression and differentiate your startup from others in the competitive market. But what exactly should be in a great pitch deck?
An excellent pitch deck typically consists of the following key parts:
- Title slide: The title slide should communicate the name of your startup and its value proposition.
- Problem statement: Identify the problem or pain point your startup aims to solve and explain why it is significant.
- Solution: Present your innovative solution and explain how it addresses the problem effectively.
- Market opportunity: Demonstrate the size and potential of your target market, highlighting the addressable market, market trends, and growth projections.
- Business model: Clearly articulate your revenue streams, pricing strategy, and distribution channels to showcase the sustainability and profitability of your business.
- Competitive advantage: Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) and explain why your product or service stands out from competitors.
- Team: Introduce your core team members, emphasising their relevant expertise and track record.
- Financials: Present your financial projections, including revenue forecasts, cost structures, and anticipated milestones.
- Funding information: Clearly state the amount of funding you’re seeking, how you plan to use it, and the potential return on investment for investors.
- Contact information: Provide your contact details, including your email address, phone number, and social media handles to facilitate follow-up conversations.
However, it’s important to note that a pitch deck is not just a checklist of slides. It’s an opportunity for you to tell a compelling story about your startup and capture the attention and interest of potential investors.
Therefore, the pitch deck of a healthtech company like 54gene might look very different from one of an edtech company like Klas — even if they’re raising the same rounds or capturing similar markets.
How to create a pitch deck for your startup
It’s essential to pay attention to detail and craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience when creating an effective pitch deck that investors love. However, there’s a guide you can follow if you’re new to it or need help creating stronger decks.
Keep the following steps in mind when creating a pitch deck for your startup:
- Define your objective. Clearly understand the purpose of your pitch deck, whether it is to raise funds, attract strategic partnerships, or secure clients.
- Research your target audience. Tailor your pitch deck to the interests and preferences of your potential investors or partners.
- Keep it concise. Stick to the essential information and avoid overwhelming your audience with unnecessary details.
- Focus on visuals. Use compelling images, charts, and graphics to enhance the clarity and impact of your message.
- Tell a compelling story. Structure your pitch deck like a narrative, capturing attention from the start and building a strong case for your business.
- Practice your presentation. Rehearse your pitch deck multiple times to ensure confidence and fluency during actual presentations.
- Solicit feedback. Seek feedback from mentors, advisors, or experienced entrepreneurs to refine and improve your pitch deck.
It’s also important to consider the design and layout of your pitch deck. A visually appealing presentation can leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your content more engaging.
Beyond that, incorporating your brand colours and logo can help create a cohesive and professional look for your pitch deck while ensuring it stands out wherever it ends up.
What makes a pitch deck stand out?
A great pitch deck gets investors interested in your business. However, having one that stands out can increase your chances of getting the financial backing you need to grow and scale.
Here are some tips for making your pitch deck stand out:
- Clearly communicate how your startup differentiates itself from competitors and why it is poised for success.
- Use eye-catching graphics, images, and videos to support your key messages and capture the audience’s attention.
- Craft a compelling narrative that resonates with investors on an emotional level, making them feel connected to your mission and vision.
- If your startup has achieved notable milestones, partnerships, or customer acquisition, showcase them to demonstrate traction and potential scalability.
- Clearly state what you are asking for and what investors can expect in return, whether it be financial returns or a positive impact on society.
There you go!
Resources and tools can help you create a great pitch deck
Hiring a professional to create your pitch deck can set you apart from the crowd and woo investors. However, the creation process is a collaborative effort (if you want to create a deck that reflects you and your startup) so we’ve lined up some tools that can help you.
Here are some resources and tools for creating a great pitch deck:
- Canva: Canva is a user-friendly online design tool that offers a wide range of templates and design elements to create visually appealing pitch decks.
- Slidebean: Slidebean is a platform that uses artificial intelligence to help you create professional-looking pitch decks with minimal effort.
You can also study pitch decks from successful African companies like Paystack, Gamp, and Remedial Health to find valuable insights and inspiration.
Final thoughts
By understanding the importance of a pitch deck, knowing when to create one, and following the key elements outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of creating a captivating pitch deck that resonates with investors like Ingressive Capital.
We encourage you to apply for funding today and show us your pitch deck if you’re a tech or tech-enabled African startup looking to get up to $500,000 in pre-seed or seed funding. Remember to tailor your pitch deck appropriately while keeping it concise, visually appealing, and compelling.
