Revising a pitch deck generally is a daunting process, however it’s an important step in direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds gentle on essentially the most impactful classes realized from suggestions by angel investors. 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 remodel your pitch and increase your possibilities of success.
- Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
- Lead With Downside and Market Alternative
- Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
- Pitch in Format Traders Anticipate
- Concentrate on 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 Data 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, nearly all angel buyers would ask me to clarify my “secret sauce” instantly.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: after I first acquired enthusiastic about productiveness as an idea, I attempted a number of completely different choices on supply to assist individuals enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the correct match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be looking for. So, I constructed the platform I wished with my firm, the place expertise, technique, and the human contact come collectively.
So, my recommendation to others can be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist buyers know what makes you distinctive and investable.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
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Lead With Downside and Market Alternative
From my expertise working with numerous startups, some of the necessary classes I’ve realized about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final yr. The startup had a tremendous AI-powered resolution for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and sophisticated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel investors who appeared to lose curiosity midway via, we helped them remodel their deck to guide with the issue and market alternative first. The change was outstanding—as a substitute of opening with their expertise, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the trade, adopted by actual tales from pissed off provide chain managers.
This method instantly grabbed buyers’ 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, and so they secured their seed spherical inside two months. It taught me that buyers, 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 assist your story, not be the story itself.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Advisor and CEO, spectup
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
The one game-changing factor I realized 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 one of the best recommendation I acquired 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 a sudden, buyers had been leaning ahead of their seats as a substitute 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 realized when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% must pitch within the format buyers count on. With regards to 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 great (and pretty typical) move.
Additionally, after pitching varied enterprise proposals up to now, I’d say that pitching is a ability. Storytelling is a ability. It’s one thing you may enhance on. Telling your story is likely one of the most necessary expertise you want as a founder. There are frameworks (like Hearts-Minds-Wallets) that may legitimately assist.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Head, Sticker It
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Concentrate on What Lands Traders
With regards to pitch-deck revisions, I’ve realized one factor: Each individual has their very own opinion and desire for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper manner” is no matter lands you the buyers and companions which might be a great match on your startup. The “fallacious manner” is each different manner.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
One essential lesson I realized when revising our pitch deck, primarily based on suggestions from angel buyers, was understanding how comparisons to rivals can affect investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our resolution alongside current market gamers would emphasize the hole we had been filling and showcase how our resolution is completely different.
Nevertheless, this method really ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with rivals that buyers considered as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we had been constructing with the remainder of the deck.
As a substitute of specializing in rivals, we wanted 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 resolution as an revolutionary chief moderately than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Rate Retriever
Create an Inconceivable-to-Refuse Slide
After 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 wished to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and instructed me that buyers overview hundreds of decks and infrequently solely spend just a few seconds per slide.
As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged an extra problem: unconscious biases can typically lead buyers to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my method. So, I created what I name an “impossible-to-refuse” slide—a slide filled with our greatest stats, metrics, buyer traction, and any “wow” issue that would 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 method helped to counteract biases and set a assured tone for the remainder of the presentation. It’s one thing many feminine founders may have to think about—typically, we should be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from buyers.
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 buyers wish to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this actual second, searching for a mixture of market developments, shifts in expertise, or altering client habits. Highlighting this side may be the tipping level in convincing buyers.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly resulting from an elevated concentrate on dwelling wellness and the continued pattern towards dwelling upgrades. Individuals are prepared to speculate extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered life develop. This pattern makes now the proper time for a model providing distinctive, high-end outside 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 resulting from present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations what you are promoting seeks to meet by capturing this chance in the present day. Wrap up with Outcomes what you are promoting goals to attain by performing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR affords buyers a logical and compelling purpose to imagine 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 largest classes I realized from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is that you could’t over-rotate primarily based on each single remark. It’s straightforward to get caught up in making an attempt to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As a substitute, you might want to hear fastidiously and establish patterns within the suggestions.
After just a few pitches, you begin to discover which elements of your presentation really resonate with buyers. Their eyes gentle up, they lean in, and so they ask insightful questions. Pay shut consideration to these moments and the people who find themselves genuinely engaged. These are the alerts that let you know what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.
In the end, your pitch deck ought to inform a compelling story that captures the essence of what you are promoting and its potential. By fastidiously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that actually resonate with buyers, you may refine your pitch and improve your possibilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My largest takeaway from updating my pitch deck on account of receiving suggestions from angel buyers was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as a substitute of obscure metrics about progress. 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 section to the subsequent, similar to hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption objectives, or partnerships that might unlock the subsequent section of progress. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely real looking and primarily based on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to simply embody these actions and provides a extra targeted, step-by-step image of our subsequent transfer.
And that modified the best way they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in an enormous thought however in a technique they may see coming into actuality. It’s one factor to say develop, but when I gave specificity about what progress was at every stage, it instructed them we’d really laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.
Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped
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Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
Revising a pitch deck primarily based on suggestions from angel buyers generally is a transformative expertise. One important lesson realized is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Traders recognize easy narratives that articulate what you are promoting’s objective and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it grew to become 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 method not solely makes the presentation extra related but in addition demonstrates an understanding of the buyers’ views.
Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue what you are promoting solves. Traders wish to see a transparent connection between the market want and your resolution. 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.
Total, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful software for refining your pitch. Listening to buyers and making changes primarily based 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 buyers. Traders wish to know not solely in regards to the improvements you convey but in addition 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 displaying the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures buyers that you just’ve thought-about their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Patrons, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Establish corporations that may profit from buying what you are promoting; these are your potential patrons. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to develop into enticing to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for whenever you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic pondering but in addition will increase investor confidence, mitigating their danger and displaying that you just’re in it for the lengthy haul.
Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
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Bridge the Data Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck primarily based on angel investor suggestions was discovering the way to bridge the data hole in a manner that’s each participating 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 longer term. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many buyers, it was clear that this method didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this area.
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 nicely. As a substitute of a typical rationalization, we launched UGC with a short-form type overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This method instantly put us in our aspect, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for buyers to understand 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 buyers asking extra related questions, indicating they “acquired it” and had been interested in subsequent steps. This modification led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we realized that when you’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a manner that feels accessible and charming—particularly if it means assembly buyers 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 buyers, particularly, have typically already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be chatting with you with out the above.
As a substitute, what they’re typically most enthusiastic about is YOU and the management group! You should definitely show your group’s well-rounded expertise and expertise and, extra importantly, your objective/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel buyers are investing in YOU and the management group far more than the merchandise/companies and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Companion, Prosperity Partners Consulting, Inc.
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is that readability sells. I packed it with information, pondering it will present my preparedness. As a substitute, buyers wished simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the muddle.
One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t must see every part ; we have to see that what 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 resolution. I realized to current numbers in a manner that feels intuitive, telling a story as a substitute of itemizing stats.
The distinction was rapid. Traders leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch grew to become 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 useful lesson I realized from revising my pitch deck after angel buyers’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Traders want to grasp the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made positive to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition value (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 buyers to see a transparent path to profitability, growing their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Fee Financial
Present Blue-Sky Pondering
After 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 develop into recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.ok.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want moderately than one thing a consumer wants each week.
And whereas I’ve had information to showcase that 27% of our prospects had 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 larger.
I revised my pitch deck to indicate blue-sky pondering—to indicate buyers that this product may develop right into a billion-dollar thought. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising product roadmap that I shortly validated by getting early signups from just a few enterprise shoppers that had been already utilizing us for his or her group AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I finally declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Try it on AI
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