The most essential part to any fundraising round - the pitch deck.

In just a few slides, it covers all key information on your business and is used to drive investor interest with its main goal to convert into a pitch meeting.

🧑‍🍳 Core Elements

What do the barebones of a pitch deck look like? And more importantly, what are investors looking for?

Here is a timeless example from YCombinator that I reference often and is a great starting point for those approaching a pitch deck for the first time.

In essence, the pitch deck should have a strong narrative and tell a compelling story in the most effective (simple), clear and concise manner catered to your target audience.

A common way to structure a pitch deck is as follows:

1. Intro - Value Proposition
2. Problem - Validation, Target Users
3. Solution - Problem
4. Market - Size, Competition, Differentiation
5. Traction - Users/Clients, POC, Revenue Streams, Growth Metrics
6. GTM Strategy - Business Model, Growth Plan, Execution, Roadmap
7. Team - Role, Experience, Qualifications
8. Funding - Target Amount, Valuation, Utilisation

<aside> 💡 If you are raising in tokens or if tokens are a crucial part to your business model, it would be relevant to add a slide covering token design.

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🎙 Narrative

Telling a compelling story and having a strong narrative is only possible by understanding your target audience and their key desired takeaways.

<aside> 👉 When reviewing early-stage startups, investors mainly focus on: 1. Founders - do they have relevant experience, unique expertise and access in the industry? 2. Execution - do they have the right approach and ability to execute their vision; is there an obsession for customers, growth, and revenues? 3. Market-fit - are they addressing a large enough market; is it the right timing; do they have the right strategy; is there a clear competitive advantage?

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The key takeaway's investors look to answer from the static pitch deck are: