You can find no end of template pitch decks these days, so let’s forget the contents list and focus on the content.

What are you offering?

It’s YOUR job to communicate what you’re offering, don’t be clever or coy or baroque, it’s an easy no.  Also, don’t be weird.  OK, being weird is great, but don’t stray outside of what investors expect unless it’s integral to your USP. 

Speaking of which… you need a USP.  Preferably a unique one, and preferably a selling point.  Base your pitch around it, or they won’t even remember you.

To be investible, you need to be committed to the project (no jobs you’re hanging on to “just in case”, no side hustles) and your team needs to be aligned / motivated / locked-in (*delete according to level of cynicism), if you have serious money, some of it should be in this, otherwise sweat equity and salary sacrifice goes a long way.  But don’t starve, if anyone wants you to take out a second mortgage so you can show ‘skin in the game’, walk away, they’re on a power trip.

What’s in the deck?

Hit the key points hard:

• What’s the idea?  What’s the problem and what’s your fix? (This is the story you need to tell.)
• What’s the plan?  Can you show them you know how to deliver and that you’re in control?  
• Who are the team?  Why are you the right team and how do you work so well together? 
• Now, what’s the need, what’s the ask, and what’s on offer (equity of course, but the comfort of good governance too)?  

Keep it to 10 to 15 pages.  Tell them you’ve got the data, but don’t bury them with it at this stage.

How to turn up.

Rehearse a couple of versions: 10 minutes and 30 minutes (plus an elevator pitch, of course). Ask your friends (including me) for feedback and take it on board.  

Know your industry, know your market, and know your competition (map it out for me, we’ll find any gaps).  Demonstrate that you’re the experts.  If anyone in the room knows more about these than you, that’s a problem.

Know who you’re pitching to.  Do your DD on prospective investors.  Show you’re interested and ask questions to fill in the gaps.

And, back to where we started… remember YOU run the pitch.  Control the meeting (politely and with permission) and get across everything you need to.  Engage with any questions and make absolutely sure you answer them.  

Good luck!  I’ll buy you a drink when the cheque arrives. 🥂