12 Slides Every Winning Pitch Deck Needs to Attract Investors

Raising funding can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking parts of building a startup. Whether you are preparing for your first investor meeting or sending out pitch decks to potential backers, you only have a few minutes to make a strong impression.

Your pitch deck is not a slide presentation. It's the narrative of your company. It should have no question in your mind what problem you're solving, how you're going to solve it, and why your team is best to do it. Executed effectively, it wins trust, demonstrates momentum, and encourages others to have faith in your cause.

These are the 12 must-have slides in any pitch deck, and why each slide is important.

1. Introduction

This is your introduction. Begin by informing people who you are and what your business does. Make it concise, crisp, and memorable. Think of it as your one-liner that leaves them wanting to know more.

2. Team

Investors bet on people, not on ideas. Utilize this slide to present your founding team. Accentuate each individual's position and most relevant experience. Include advisors or key recruits with additional value here as well.

3. Problem

What problem are you solving, and why is it important? Get precise. Use facts or real-world circumstances to make it tangible. Your aim here is to get investors to nod and say, "Yes, that is a true problem."

4. Benefits

Now describe what sets you apart. What separates your business from others working on the same problem? Perhaps it is your method, technology, pricing, or market understanding. Explain why you will succeed.

5. Solution

This is where you introduce your service or product. How specifically does it fix the problem? Keep it simple and easy to understand. You want investors to intuitively know how your solution will work and why it will work.

6. Product

Make. Use images, screenshots, or brief descriptions to highlight the product itself. If you have a functional version, display it. If not, give the current status and what lies ahead in development.

7. Traction

Traction earns credibility. Present metrics, user growth, partnerships, revenue, or any milestone that demonstrates people desire what you're providing. Even minor victories can count a great deal in establishing confidence.

8. Market

Regardless of how wonderful your product is, the market has to be large enough. Identify who your potential customers are and how big that market is. Use actual facts and demonstrate that you have a real grasp of the opportunity on the horizon.

9. Competition

There is always competition. Admit it and demonstrate how you differ. A straightforward table comparing features, price points, or user experience works well. This slide demonstrates you are realistic and strategic.

10. Business Model

Where will you get your money from? Describe your revenue streams, pricing strategy, and sales strategy. If you can, include estimated timelines to achieve critical financial targets. Keep this brief and realistic.

11. Investing

State clearly how much you are raising and how you plan to use it. Break it down into categories, such as hiring, product development, or marketing. At this point, you should convey to the investor where the money will go and what progress it will support.

12. Contact

End with your contact information. Make it simple for investors to get in touch with you. Add your name, email address, phone number, and a link to your website or LinkedIn profile. Keep it clean and professional.

Final Thoughts

Your pitch deck is the voice of your startup. It explains to others why your concept is important and why you are best suited to make it happen. Make it sincere, concise, and compelling. If your narrative resonates, your ideal investors will want to join in on the ride.