Revising a pitch deck generally is a daunting activity, nevertheless it’s a vital step in the direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds mild on essentially the most impactful classes discovered from suggestions by angel traders. You’ll uncover why it’s important to spell out your secret sauce proper from the beginning and the way illustrating particular, quantifiable milestones could make all of the distinction. Dive into these 17 professional insights that may rework your pitch and increase your probabilities of success.
- Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
- Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
- Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
- Pitch in Format Traders Anticipate
- Give attention to What Lands Traders
- Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
- Create an Inconceivable-to-Refuse Slide
- Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
- Establish Patterns in Suggestions
- Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
- Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
- Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
- Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
- Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise
- Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
- Emphasize Unit-Economics
- Present Blue-Sky Pondering
Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
When pitching my enterprise, virtually all angel traders would ask me to clarify my “secret sauce” straight away.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: after I first obtained concerned with productiveness as an idea, I attempted a whole lot of completely different choices on supply to assist folks enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the suitable match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be looking for. So, I constructed the platform I needed with my firm, the place know-how, technique, and the human contact come collectively.
So, my recommendation to others can be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist traders know what makes you distinctive and investable.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
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Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
From my expertise working with numerous startups, probably the most necessary classes I’ve discovered about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final yr. The startup had an incredible AI-powered answer for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and complicated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel traders who appeared to lose curiosity midway by way of, we helped them rework their deck to guide with the issue and market alternative first. The change was outstanding—as an alternative of opening with their know-how, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the business, adopted by actual tales from annoyed provide chain managers.
This strategy instantly grabbed traders’ consideration as a result of it confirmed we understood what actually mattered to them: the market potential and the burning drawback that wanted fixing. The revised deck generated considerably extra investor curiosity, they usually secured their seed spherical inside two months. It taught me that traders, particularly on the angel stage, care extra in regards to the problem-solution match and market alternative than the technical intricacies of how your product works. Technical particulars nonetheless matter, however they need to help your story, not be the story itself.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Guide and CEO, spectup
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
The one game-changing factor I discovered from our enterprise angel at Wunderlist is that it’s not about any single slide; it’s about story construction.
I used to suppose every slide needed to stand alone, however the most effective recommendation I obtained was to consider it like a three-act story: set up urgency round the issue, excite across the alternative, and save your heavy ammo, like early traction and partnerships, for the third-act climax.
As soon as we restructured it this fashion, all of the sudden, traders have been leaning ahead of their seats as an alternative of simply politely nodding alongside.
Sebastian Scheerer, Founder & CEO, Superfounder.io
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Pitch in Format Traders Anticipate
The one lesson that I discovered when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% must pitch within the format traders count on. In the case of pitching, “Know your viewers” is extraordinarily necessary. I just like the framework: Hearts-Minds-Wallets. To create a pitch deck, it makes use of storytelling and a superb (and pretty typical) movement.
Additionally, after pitching numerous enterprise proposals up to now, I’d say that pitching is a talent. Storytelling is a talent. It’s one thing you’ll be able to enhance on. Telling your story is among the most necessary abilities you want as a founder. There are frameworks (like Hearts-Minds-Wallets) that may legitimately assist.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising and marketing Head, Sticker It
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Give attention to What Lands Traders
In the case of pitch-deck revisions, I’ve discovered one factor: Each particular person has their very own opinion and choice for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper approach” is no matter lands you the traders and companions which might be a superb match on your startup. The “unsuitable approach” is each different approach.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising and marketing Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
One important lesson I discovered when revising our pitch deck, based mostly on suggestions from angel traders, was understanding how comparisons to rivals can affect investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our answer alongside present market gamers would emphasize the hole we have been filling and showcase how our answer is completely different.
Nevertheless, this strategy truly ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with rivals that traders seen as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we have been constructing with the remainder of the deck.
As a substitute of specializing in rivals, we would have liked to show how our mannequin was new and why that distinctness would drive longevity and make our firm a robust funding. This shift allowed us to current our answer as an revolutionary chief somewhat than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Charge Retriever
Create an Inconceivable-to-Refuse Slide
Once I first began pitching, I approached the deck as a narrative, with a starting, center, and an thrilling buildup to essentially the most spectacular a part of the enterprise. I needed to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and informed me that traders assessment 1000’s of decks and sometimes solely spend a couple of seconds per slide.
As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged an extra problem: unconscious biases can typically lead traders to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my strategy. So, I created what I name an “impossible-to-refuse” slide—a slide full of our greatest stats, metrics, buyer traction, and any “wow” issue that might make an investor sit up and say, “Whoa, that is completely different.”
Main with this data-driven, high-impact slide was a sport changer. This strategy helped to counteract biases and set a assured tone for the remainder of the presentation. It’s one thing many feminine founders might have to think about—typically, we must be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from traders.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
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Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
Understanding the significance of a “Why Now” slide was a game-changer throughout our pitch deck revisions. Angel traders need to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this precise second, in search of a mixture of market traits, shifts in know-how, or altering shopper habits. Highlighting this side will be the tipping level in convincing traders.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly because of an elevated concentrate on residence wellness and the continuing development towards residence upgrades. Individuals are keen to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered existence develop. This development makes now the right time for a model providing distinctive, high-end out of doors luxuries.
Leveraging the “SOAR” framework can strengthen the effectiveness of the “Why Now” slide. Begin with Strengths that the enterprise brings to this chance. Observe with Alternatives that exist because of present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations your small business seeks to satisfy by capturing this chance right this moment. Wrap up with Outcomes your small business goals to realize by performing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR gives traders a logical and compelling motive to consider within the timeliness and potential of your enterprise, successfully demonstrating anticipation of future success.
Andrei Newman, Founder, Casa Blui
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Establish Patterns in Suggestions
One of many greatest classes I discovered from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is which you can’t over-rotate based mostly on each single remark. It’s simple to get caught up in attempting to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As a substitute, it is advisable to hear fastidiously and establish patterns within the suggestions.
After a couple of pitches, you begin to discover which components of your presentation really resonate with traders. Their eyes mild up, they lean in, they usually ask insightful questions. Pay shut consideration to these moments and the people who find themselves genuinely engaged. These are the indicators that let you know what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.
Finally, your pitch deck ought to inform a compelling story that captures the essence of your small business and its potential. By fastidiously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that actually resonate with traders, you’ll be able to refine your pitch and enhance your probabilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My greatest takeaway from updating my pitch deck because of receiving suggestions from angel traders was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as an alternative of obscure metrics about development. Traders wanted path, however not simply within the type of projected income or market share.
They wanted very clear, measurable, time-based steps that clearly outlined how we’d proceed from one part to the following, similar to hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption objectives, or partnerships that will unlock the following part of development. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely real looking and based mostly on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to simply embrace these actions and provides a extra centered, step-by-step image of our subsequent transfer.
And that modified the best way they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in a giant thought however in a method they may see coming into actuality. It’s one factor to say develop, but when I gave specificity about what development was at every stage, it informed them we’d truly laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.
Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped
5 Sensible Tips about Making a Pitch Deck for Your Startup
Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
Revising a pitch deck based mostly on suggestions from angel traders generally is a transformative expertise. One important lesson discovered is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Traders recognize easy narratives that articulate your small business’s goal and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it turned clear that simplifying complicated concepts and specializing in core messages was important.
One other essential perception is the worth of tailoring the pitch to the viewers. Traders typically have completely different pursuits and priorities, so adjusting the pitch to align with their particular objectives can improve engagement. This strategy not solely makes the presentation extra related but additionally demonstrates an understanding of the traders’ views.
Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue your small business solves. Traders need to see a transparent connection between the market want and your answer. Reinforcing this connection could make your pitch extra compelling and present that you’re not simply promoting a product however addressing an actual problem out there.
General, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful software for refining your pitch. Listening to traders and making changes based mostly on their enter can result in a simpler presentation that resonates with potential backers.
Ramzy Humsi, Founder & CEO, Vortex Ranker
Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
Crafting a compelling exit technique is essential in attracting and assuring angel traders. Traders need to know not solely in regards to the improvements you carry but additionally when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights doable acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap exhibiting the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures traders that you just’ve thought-about their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Patrons, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Establish firms that may profit from buying your small business; these are your potential consumers. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to grow to be engaging to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for once you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic pondering but additionally will increase investor confidence, mitigating their danger and exhibiting that you just’re in it for the lengthy haul.
Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
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Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck based mostly on angel investor suggestions was discovering methods to bridge the information hole in a approach that’s each partaking and persuasive. Once we initially pitched our firm, we’d dive straight into explaining the user-generated content material (UGC) mannequin and why it’s the long run. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many traders, it was clear that this strategy didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this house.
The suggestions actually helped us see the significance of “present, don’t inform.” So we made the opening extra dynamic and visually wealthy, leaning into short-form content material since, as a UGC-focused startup, we all know this medium effectively. As a substitute of an ordinary clarification, we launched UGC with a short-form type overview—fast, visible, and fascinating. This strategy instantly put us in our component, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for traders to know the UGC idea and, crucially, see its potential.
By the point we’d applied this, the tone of our shows had shifted noticeably. As a substitute of getting caught in a “that is what UGC is” loop, we discovered traders asking extra related questions, indicating they “obtained it” and have been interested by subsequent steps. This modification led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we discovered that if you happen to’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a approach that feels accessible and charming—particularly if it means assembly traders on acquainted floor whereas showcasing your experience.
Yannick Habraken, Founder / CMO, Hyred
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Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise
Most pitch decks are very complete across the merchandise/worth proposition, applied sciences, market alternative, income mannequin/profitability, operations & scalability, capital planning, and so on. Nevertheless, angel traders, specifically, have typically already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be talking to you with out the above.
As a substitute, what they’re typically most concerned with is YOU and the management crew! Remember to show your crew’s well-rounded expertise and abilities and, extra importantly, your goal/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel traders are investing in YOU and the management crew far more than the merchandise/companies and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Associate, Prosperity Companions Consulting, Inc.
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is that readability sells. I packed it with information, pondering it could present my preparedness. As a substitute, traders needed simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the muddle.
One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t must see every little thing you realize; we have to see that what you realize issues.”
So, I trimmed down the slides, focusing solely on the story that highlighted our distinctive edge, the market’s actual ache factors, and our scalable answer. I discovered to current numbers in a approach that feels intuitive, telling a story as an alternative of itemizing stats.
The distinction was quick. Traders leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch turned a dialog, not a lecture, and, finally, it resonated as a result of it was exact and memorable.
John Beaver, Founder, Desky
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Emphasize Unit-Economics
A precious lesson I discovered from revising my pitch deck after angel traders’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Traders want to know the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made positive to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition price (CAC) and lifelong worth (LTV). These figures helped make clear how we may develop profitably and confirmed that the enterprise mannequin is scalable and sustainable in the long run.
Together with these metrics gave the deck extra credibility, making the funding alternative extra compelling. It additionally allowed traders to see a transparent path to profitability, rising their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Charge Monetary
Present Blue-Sky Pondering
Once I was elevating a pre-seed spherical, the recurring query from angels and VCs was in regards to the sustainability of the enterprise and the way prospects will grow to be recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.okay.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want somewhat than one thing a consumer wants each week.
And whereas I’ve had information to showcase that 27% of our prospects have been returning each month to generate private branding content material for his or her social media, I understood that this in itself was not a sufficiently big problem I used to be fixing and that my pondering wanted to go a lot greater.
I revised my pitch deck to indicate blue-sky pondering—to indicate traders that this product may develop right into a billion-dollar thought. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising and marketing product roadmap that I shortly validated by getting early signups from a couple of enterprise purchasers that have been already utilizing us for his or her crew AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I finally declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Strive it on AI
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