How to Structure Investor Presentations for Impact

I bombed my first 15 VC pitches because investors were reading my slides instead of listening to me. Here’s why you need TWO versions of your pitch deck and how to craft each 👇🏾 If you’re fundraising, you should have two decks: 1. A shared deck 2. A presentation deck The difference between them is subtle but huge if you want to raise VC. 1️⃣ A shared deck - to be sent via email as you ask for introductions to investors, or send cold emails. - Use complete headlines that summarize key points - Include sufficient context so it makes sense without you - Make it skimmable with bold text highlighting key metrics - Includes citations/sources 2️⃣ A presentation deck - to be displayed during pitches to GUIDE your pitch, not do the presenting for you. - Limit text to 10 words per slide maximum - Use large, impactful numbers (57,000 companies!) - Rely on visuals, graphics, and icons to tell the story - Keep slides simple - YOU are the presentation, not the deck When I switched to this dual approach, it was easier to engage investors. They asked better questions. My pitches became conversations instead of my clicking to the next slide for the investor. The worst thing that can happen during a pitch is for you to share a great story or point about your traction, but the investor isn’t paying attention because they’re too busy reading the essay that you put on your slides. What questions do you have about your deck? Share them below!

How to Build Can't Miss Board Presentations It seems to be Board presentation season across my client base, and so I thought I would take a moment to outline a few items that I use every time. 1 - Consider the true audience. You are not presenting to the entire Board. You are usually presenting to one person, and at most two people. If you don't know who your most important person in the room is, look at the first money in (likely very influential) or the biggest last money in (likely with the highest liquidation preferences). Let's call them types, however. In general, these types of people are called "the visionary" and "the accountant". As a CEO, the "visionary" was likely your first investor and still supports you through the ups and downs. The "accountant" just wants to see the returns. Don't bore me with operating. If the operating works, it will show up in cash flows. 2 - Big Headline and Business Case Up Front - In 1 One Slide. Don't bury the lede. Nick Kaplan said I could have been a journalist. Here are my 3 rules for the first slide. a: Make it clear your year 1 capital and/or resource ask. Don't forget new hires in this number. (table) b: Revenue potential and/or TAM (3 year graph) c: Operating income or cash flows (3 year graph) d: Finally, Make your headline the reason it's a burning need to do this. If it sounds like it's a "nice to have", it will become a "never will." Your goal is to have your visionary say on this slide "that doesn't sound like a huge ask." And for your accountant to lean in and look forward to more details. 3 - Customer Experience Even if they are not experts on what you are presenting about, most people can imagine what the consumer will do. At least one slide on the consumer journey is useful. A pretty screenshot and a simple boxes and arrows flow diagram will work. Inspire someone! 4 - Timeline Most people know the risks are made up or overly optimistic, but the timeline they will remember. Try to make it as accurate as you can. 5 - Pro Forma Over 3 Years Gross -> Net Revenue -> Contribution -> Operating Income. 6 - Organization What people investment commitments it will take to make this happen, and the roles and where they fit into the org. Or is it a new org? 7 - Change Management How you will get from here to there. Who will be in charge of ensuring this happens? Does it require new ways of working? What are the top risks to this happening and how are you dealing with it? I like to focus on values and process changes here. Often people just assume a little money and "more of the same" will make it happen. If it requires a shift in thinking, that must be captured somewhere. If it does require a shift in thinking, it better have a dedicated leader or team. 8 - Technology What new technologies are you putting in and why? These are just a few of the top items I think about. Your goal is always to completely sell your best supporter in the first slide!

Every week, I mentor students and faculty at University of Maryland who want to be entrepreneurs. I’ve probably done hundreds of slide deck reviews in my career…and I have opinions. Here are a few (add an extra slide where needed): Slide #1: The first slide should be clean, include your company logo and/or name, and the name and title of the presenter. If you have an awesome tagline, include it. Otherwise, skip it. The purpose of this slide is to center the attention on you, to indicate you’re ready to go. Slide #2: Next, and absolutely most important, this slide is for the problem you are solving…not your product, not your bio. I need you to think big here. I’m looking for a global problem. For example, if you have a new app for teaching vocabulary to resistant-learners, the problem isn’t how to teach vocabulary, it’s changing how we think about education delivery. Slide #3: How do you plan to solve that problem? If you haven’t inspired your audience by this point, you’ll have a hard time getting them to look away from their phone. Slide #4: It’s finally here! This is your product slide. Include a demo or an explanation, benefits are good too. Slide #5: Cool stuff goes here. Patents, unique market data, key partnerships and clients. If you don’t have enough data points, it’s always interesting to see a sample customer ROI, outlining how your product can save/make them money. Slide #6: Include specific and relevant market data. Do not throw out a giant number for an addressable market without giving real context, unless you want them to look at their phone. Feel free to switch 5 and 6. Slide #7: Financials. Everyone has the hockey stick. Surprise your audience with an understanding of the assumptions that go into building financial projections for your business. Slide #8: Use of Funds/Raise. When I was raising $100 million for a venture, in a packed boardroom, I was asked how much I needed. I said the number without flinching. I asked the Chair later why he asked that question when he already knew the answer. His response, “I wanted to see if you could make the ask.” Slide #9: Team. I know what you’re thinking…it’s all about execution, shouldn’t this be further up? You’re right, but they’ve probably checked you out on LinkedIn. Assemble the photos and mini-bios in a way that is easy to read. This isn’t the area for creativity. Slide #10: Please do not forget to say thank you. This needs its own slide. Their time is valuable and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to express your appreciation. No need for a recap. Just a slide to let them know you’re here for it! Most first presentations are 10-12 max. Definitely have hidden content-heavy back-up slides for due diligence questions. You might’ve noticed I didn’t include a competition slide. I know I’m going against conventional wisdom here, but if you haven’t created differentiation from you’re competitors in slide 2 or 3, you haven’t delivered the presentation. #entrepreneur

Most Pitch Decks are Awful. Truth. Long and boring. I’ve seen them - heck, I’ve written many of them. 💩 So, how do we make them more compelling? Here are some thoughts on improving the quality of your decks…ones so powerful that you will win the pitch, presentation, or asking your Mom and Dad for dog. Hello, Switch. A well-structured pitch deck typically includes: Introduction and agency overview Problem statement and market opportunity Your unique strategy solution and creative framing The work Proposed timeline Pricing Case studies / proof BORING How about a new narrative flow? Here is ONE example - but there are many. Introduction Title Slide: Start with a memorable one-liner that encapsulates your mission or vision. Make it about them and their business. The Hero’s Journey Problem Statement: Describe the challenge your audience faces. It needs to be fact-based. Emotional. Relatable. The Customer’s Tale Solution: Introduce your strategy that solves the problem from a customer/world POV. How does it make you feel? How does it improve the world? How does it make your client money? Now, bring it to life - show a real-life CJX of how your solution has made a difference. Market Size and Opportunity Market Analysis: Present data on the market size and potential growth. What will your idea do in the market? How does it change the client’s fortune? And how does your solution stands out from the competition? Traction and Validation Milestones: Show them the business case. Investment vs. return. Even if it’s a projection it shows how your idea will impact the brand, company, product or service. Most agencies forget to include this part (how can we do it - we don’t have enough info). Balderdash. The Industry Point of View Industry Change: Is your idea big enough to change the category? What’s the long term vision? Closing Recap: Summarize the key points and reiterate the opportunity. Make it simple. One page. The exec CEO summary. So, there are like a 10000 ways to do this. This is one example. For inspiration check out these sources: Canva's Pitch Deck Tutorial: https://lnkd.in/eNUtbEHg Slidebean's Pitch Deck Templates: https://lnkd.in/eQ9tK7kY Canva Space Webinar on Creating Impactful Pitch Decks: https://lnkd.in/eKsPihHp Beautiful.ai - AI-powered presentation software: https://www.beautiful.ai/ Pitch - Collaborative presentation platform: https://pitch.com/ A great pitch deck is more than just attractive slides. It's about telling a compelling story that resonates with your clients and showcases your agency's unique value. #pitchtowin #newbusiness #agencynewbusiness #soulpurposeadvisory

VC Meetings: What To, and NOT To Do, Before, During & After At my last startup, I met over 350 investors. Here are the best practices on how to approach meetings 1️⃣ Before the meeting : - Only take the call when you are ready to start your process. You should have 5 to 10 investor meetings stacked in 1 week. This maximizes your learning - Have talking points: Every slide in your deck should reflect one key point. So a 6-slide deck should reflect 6 key points ( ie, we are growing xx% per month). Having a case study is gold - Have one deck to present (short/simple) and one deck (long/thorough) after the meeting, which will give you an excuse to follow up - Email response to intro: keep it simple, show interest but not desperation. 3 sentence max. No need to write a novel about your startup in the email. Dont sound desperate, sound busy, which you are - Use Calendly to schedule your meeting 2️⃣ During the meeting: - Your slides = Main talking points: No matter what question the VC asks you, you need to bring it back to one of those 6 main talking points. For example, VC: "So how are customers thinking about this?" You: "We're growing xx% per month because we are solving a real problem" - Have unwavering conviction in every SINGLE thing you say. If not, don't say it - Ask questions and keep it conversational - Ask the investor to invest directly right there in the meeting - "We'd love to have you on board " - Don't leave without a clear next step - this is typically giving them access to the data and a second chance to discuss their questions 3️⃣ After the meeting: - Send a thx you email, cc a partner or whoever intro you, and add a link to your data room - Your data room should have a presentation, corp docs, 2 yr projections, customer testimonials, case studies, and a FAQ - Expect your email to get ignored. So schedule a follow-up email right after your first. Mixmax has a sequencing feature - Treat your pitch like software, so use the meeting like a customer interview and adjust your pitch accordingly #startups #venturecapital #founders #siliconvalley #technology #innovation ------- Like these stories? Follow me for more founder advice from the trenches✌️

Skip the pitch deck. Seriously. For our Series A, which was part of a $95M raise, I ditched the slides and wrote a memo instead. Why? Decks oversimplify nuanced businesses. At first, I messed this up, though… Investors spend 1-3 seconds per slide. That’s barely enough time to blink, let alone understand a complex, multi-sided startup. But in my first couple of raises, I leaned heavily on decks, thinking sleek slides would make everything clearer. Instead, they led to confusion. Investors saw scattered data points without enough context, and I spent half my meetings untangling misunderstandings. A well-structured doc forces clarity, conveys nuance, and makes async pitching—sending the "deck" before the meeting—actually work. It’s like running a remote company: clear writing aligns everyone, and the same applies to fundraising in a virtual setting. That doesn’t mean I skip visuals. I still include key graphs and data points—just embedded in the story, not floating around on slides with no context. A written doc also reduces cognitive overload, making it easier for investors to see how you connect the dots. This is especially true for vertical AI companies, where you have to explain to investors how you're modernizing an esoteric industry they've rarely thought about before. A written doc is simply better at delivering deep context. That makes life easier for the investor as they try to secure critical internal buy-in from the rest of their firm. And it speeds up their own memo writing and decision-making. In-person, I still make it conversational and walk through the same graphs. But when sharing info async, I’d rather have investors read and absorb than click and forget. I'm not saying decks are dead, just that they might not be worth the time you’re spending on them. I'll be sharing more fundraising strategies, so comment or follow to make sure you get the next one.

📝I haven't had the chance to present to executives in a while, but I have done it, and I've observed others as well.   ✔ I recommend the approach, "Boil to Bullets".   🤔 When I first heard the recommendation to condense my presentation into just 2-3 bullet points for executives, I was skeptical.   👴 However, I've come to see the value in it, and I'm certainly not the first to discover this.   🐝 Executives often have packed schedules and are frequently multitasking, juggling meetings and notifications.   👍Here’s a simple process I recommend: 1. Begin with the key takeaways to ensure those important points are highlighted. 2. Field questions. 3. Apply nuance and context as needed during the discussion.    🚧 It's helpful to avoid overly technical explanations and jargon like: ◾ I had to wrangle some bad data and merge a source from... ◾ and then l had impute some missing… ◾ after which I applied XGBoost… ◾ but the initial training set was skewed, and so …   That kind of detail will lose your audience in quick fashion.   Instead, go super high-level. ▪ The Central region's population will be 25% larger than the West within 5 years. ▪ Our product is likely to be the third choice if we move into that market.   Also, try to think ahead about potential follow-up questions and be prepared with answers regarding drill-downs, what-if scenarios, and strategic analyses like SWOT.   What has your experience been?   🏗→🧠 Build to Learn!   💭🚶♀️🚶♂️ Follow for more.   #tableau #data #analytics #VizoftheRay

I was working with a founder yesterday and they wanted to show me their pitch deck. They opened Canva and can you believe that deck had 55 slides. 55 slides??? Some of those slides were just a brain dump. But you can imagine how SHOCKED I was to see 55 of anything! I quickly went into the only necessary slides you need when you are trying to get a meeting with an investor. Here’s my take on what an investor wants to see in a pitch deck. First, Investors crave a compelling story, not a data graveyard. Sit down and actually write your company story and from there put the information into the following 12 slides: 1. Title & Contact Info: Make your brand shine and provide easy connection points. 2. Problem: Clearly define the pain point you solve. What unmet need are you addressing? 3. Solution: Showcase your product/service as the answer. How do you solve the problem? 4. Value Proposition: Why is your solution unique and valuable? What sets you apart? 5. Traction: Briefly highlight your progress (logos, key metrics). Show them you're gaining momentum. 6. Market Size: Briefly mention the opportunity (no deep dives). Paint a picture of the potential market. 7. Business Model: How will you generate revenue? Explain it simply. 8. Projections: Briefly mention growth potential (avoid complex models). Focus on the future potential. 9. Team: Introduce your powerhouse team. They're the ones making it happen! 10. The Ask: Clearly state your funding needs. What are you looking for from investors? 11. Closing: Summarize your vision and reiterate the call to action. Leave a lasting impression. 12. Contact Info: Make it easy for investors to connect. Pro Tip: Leverage appendices! I learned this in investment banking. For deep dives on market size, projections etc., create an appendix accessible after the meeting. Don't bog down your presentation. Remember, you're the storyteller! Your passion and expertise will resonate more than overloaded slides. Let your deck be a springboard for a captivating presentation! What are your best tips for crafting an investor deck?

"This looks great, send over your deck." is investor speak for "I'm not interested or excited about your company or you but I'm not going to tell you that and this is easier so I can ghost you or reject you later." If someone is excited about your company they're talking about getting you funded and next steps on that call. How do I know this? ✅ Because I've been in sales my whole life. ✅ I had 93 investor meetings after our YC demo day. ✅ Of those 93 meetings, 90/93 asked to fund and next steps in the same meeting. And the most important part that folks don't talk about enough is: ✨ you should be picky about who you let in ✨ Raising capital is akin to finding a spouse. And it's even more important than picking a cofounder in a way. You're bound to each other for the long haul so you better have shared values, mutual respect, and admiration. Here is what helped me raise $21 million and allowed me to work with the best investors in the game! - Tell a Story, Not a Presentation: Swap dense bullet points for a narrative that captures the heart and soul of your business. Weave together data, anecdotes, and personal experiences to create an emotional connection with investors. Make them not just understand but feel the problem you're solving and the impact you'll make. - Focus on the WHY, Not the WHAT: Investors aren't just funding ideas; they're backing passionate founders. Clearly articulate your purpose, your driving force. What unique perspective do you bring to the table? How does your venture solve a problem beyond a market need? Let your passion shine through and inspire belief that you have the passion to solve it. - Build Relationships, Not Transactions: Remember, investors are humans too. Ditch the robotic pitch and engage in genuine conversation. Listen actively and understand their interests and concerns. Ask yourself if you can gain value from their expertise and guidance. Because you better want more than just their capital. Money goes fast, but the wisdom you will glean is a gift for life. - Embrace Creative Formats: Think beyond PowerPoint. Consider captivating video pitches that showcase your team, your product, or the positive impact you're making. Infographics, interactive prototypes, or even live demos can bring your story to life in a memorable way. - Authenticity is Key: Don't try to be someone you're not. Investors are the best in the business about sniffing out BS and can sniff out artificiality from a mile away. Be yourself, flaws and all. Share your story authentically, your struggles and triumphs. Vulnerability can be your greatest strength, fostering trust and a genuine connection. Good luck! And remember, you never fail if you don't give up. ✨

How many of you have gotten 5 minutes into the super-detailed presentation that you spent DAYS building for the board/executive team... ...only to find that the majority of attendees have zoned out? 🙋♂️ that was me, for years The problem? We overthink it. This should be one of the shortest + simplest recaps you share in the company We feel like we have to build out this incredibly long, detailed, data-filled presentation to show what's going on with every facet of marketing But here's the truth: The majority of the people in the room for this presentation are NOT marketers So all of the great data + tactical marketing insights you're showing don't mean much to them because...they don't understand them 🙈 So that all too familiar slow blinking/eye glazed looks you’re seeing in the audience? That’s your sign. But there’s hope, and it’s actually quite simple because you know what they do understand and care about? Is marketing helping the business grow in the right direction. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I shared our Q1 recap with the leadership team last month And it was only 3 slides: Slide 1: Goals vs. Actuals - Summary What was our quarterly goal? What did we come in at? How did this compare to last quarter's numbers? This goes back to the core question this group cares about - are we helping the company grow in the right direction Use colors (green/yellow/red) to make it even easier for them to understand if you surpassed/hit/missed targets Slide 2: Goals vs. Actuals - Details This one's for the data-savvy members of the board/exec team (looking at you, CFO) They often want to see higher up the funnel to look at conversion rates, pipeline, and more as they have forecasting + planning always in the back of their mind This typically maps back to a bottoms-up revenue model so you can identify areas of strength + weakness in your funnel that inform what is shared on slide 3. Slide 3: Insights + Actions Data is great, but what did we learn + how are we using that moving forward? This is what that slide is answering for them and this is the slide you should be spending the most time on. 3-5 key insights at the business results/strategy level AND what you’re doing about those as we move into the next quarter. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - And that's it If they're interested in the details or tactics or have further questions, they'll ask those during/after the conversation Appendix slides are great to have if you can anticipate other items they might be interested in, but more often than not, you can either speak to these live or say, “That’s a great question. Let me look into that further after this meeting and I’ll follow up with an answer to that for you.”