Revising a pitch deck is usually a daunting activity, however it’s an important step in the direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds mild on probably the most impactful classes discovered from suggestions by angel buyers. 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 skilled insights that may remodel your pitch and enhance your probabilities of success.
- Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
- Lead With Downside and Market Alternative
- Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
- Pitch in Format Traders Anticipate
- Deal with What Lands Traders
- Keep away from Comparisons to Rivals
- Create an Not possible-to-Refuse Slide
- Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
- Determine Patterns in Suggestions
- Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
- Simplify Advanced Concepts for Readability
- Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
- Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
- Showcase Management Crew’s Expertise
- Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
- Emphasize Unit-Economics
- Present Blue-Sky Considering
Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
When pitching my enterprise, virtually all angel buyers would ask me to elucidate my “secret sauce” straight away.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: once I first obtained concerned with 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 best match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be in search of. 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, one of the vital classes I’ve discovered 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 complicated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel buyers who appeared to lose curiosity midway by, we helped them remodel their deck to steer with the issue and market alternative first. The change was exceptional—as an alternative of opening with their expertise, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the trade, adopted by actual tales from annoyed provide chain managers.
This strategy instantly grabbed buyers’ consideration as a result of it confirmed we understood what actually mattered to them: the market potential and the burning downside 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 concerning the problem-solution match and market alternative than the technical intricacies of how your product works. Technical particulars nonetheless matter, however they need to help your story, not be the story itself.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Marketing consultant and CEO, spectup
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
The one game-changing factor I discovered 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 the very best recommendation I obtained 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 manner, all of the sudden, buyers have been leaning ahead of their seats as an alternative 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 discovered when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% must pitch within the format buyers anticipate. Relating to pitching, “Know your viewers” is extraordinarily vital. I just like the framework: Hearts-Minds-Wallets. To create a pitch deck, it makes use of storytelling and a great (and pretty typical) circulate.
Additionally, after pitching varied enterprise proposals up to now, I’d say that pitching is a talent. Storytelling is a talent. It’s one thing you possibly can enhance on. Telling your story is likely one of the most vital 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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Deal with What Lands Traders
Relating to pitch-deck revisions, I’ve discovered one factor: Each particular person 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 to your startup. The “flawed manner” is each different manner.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Rivals
One vital lesson I discovered when revising our pitch deck, primarily based on suggestions from angel buyers, was understanding how comparisons to opponents can affect investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our resolution alongside current market gamers would emphasize the hole we have been filling and showcase how our resolution is completely different.
Nevertheless, this strategy truly ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with opponents that buyers seen as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we have been constructing with the remainder of the deck.
As a substitute of specializing in opponents, we would have liked 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 modern chief relatively than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Price Retriever
Create an Not possible-to-Refuse Slide
After I first began pitching, I approached the deck as a narrative, with a starting, center, and an thrilling buildup to probably the most spectacular a part of the enterprise. I wished to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and informed me that buyers evaluation hundreds of decks and sometimes solely spend a number of seconds per slide.
As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged a further problem: unconscious biases can generally lead buyers to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my strategy. 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 strategy 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 have to 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 need to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this actual second, in search of a mixture of market traits, shifts in expertise, or altering shopper habits. Highlighting this facet may be the tipping level in convincing buyers.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly attributable to an elevated give attention to house wellness and the continued pattern towards house upgrades. Individuals are prepared to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered existence develop. This pattern makes now the proper time for a model providing distinctive, high-end out of doors 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 attributable to present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations your small business seeks to satisfy by capturing this chance at this time. Wrap up with Outcomes your small business goals to attain by performing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR gives buyers a logical and compelling motive 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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Determine Patterns in Suggestions
One of many greatest classes I discovered from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is you can’t over-rotate primarily based on each single remark. It’s simple to get caught up in making an attempt to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As a substitute, you must pay attention fastidiously and determine patterns within the suggestions.
After a number of pitches, you begin to discover which elements of your presentation actually resonate with buyers. Their eyes mild 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 your small business and its potential. By fastidiously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that actually resonate with buyers, you possibly can refine your pitch and improve your probabilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My greatest takeaway from updating my pitch deck on account of receiving suggestions from angel buyers was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as an alternative of obscure metrics about progress. Traders wanted course, 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 part to the subsequent, resembling hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption targets, or partnerships that might unlock the subsequent part 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 way in which they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in a giant concept 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 informed them we’d truly laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.
Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped
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Simplify Advanced Concepts for Readability
Revising a pitch deck primarily based on suggestions from angel buyers is usually a transformative expertise. One important lesson discovered is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Traders recognize simple narratives that articulate your small business’s function and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it grew to become clear that simplifying advanced 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 targets can improve engagement. This strategy 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 your small business solves. Traders need 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 instrument 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 need to know not solely concerning the improvements you deliver but in addition when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights potential acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap exhibiting the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures buyers that you simply’ve thought-about their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Patrons, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Determine corporations that may profit from buying your small business; these are your potential patrons. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to grow to be engaging to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for while you anticipate the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic considering but in addition will increase investor confidence, mitigating their threat and exhibiting that you simply’re in it for the lengthy haul.
Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
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Bridge the Information Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck primarily based on angel investor suggestions was discovering how you can bridge the data hole in a manner that’s each partaking 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 long run. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many buyers, it was clear that this strategy didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this house.
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 effectively. As a substitute of a regular clarification, we launched UGC with a short-form model overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This strategy instantly put us in our factor, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for buyers to know the UGC idea and, crucially, see its potential.
By the point we’d applied this, the tone of our displays 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 “obtained it” and have been interested by subsequent steps. This variation led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we discovered that for those who’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 Crew’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 many others. Nevertheless, angel buyers, specifically, have typically already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be talking to you with out the above.
As a substitute, what they’re typically most concerned with is YOU and the management workforce! You should definitely show your workforce’s well-rounded expertise and expertise and, extra importantly, your function/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel buyers are investing in YOU and the management workforce far more than the merchandise/companies and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Accomplice, Prosperity Companions 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 knowledge, considering 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 all the things you understand; we have to see that what you understand 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 discovered to current numbers in a manner that feels intuitive, telling a story as an alternative of itemizing stats.
The distinction was quick. 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 worthwhile lesson I discovered from revising my pitch deck after angel buyers’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Traders want to know 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, rising their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Payment Monetary
Present Blue-Sky Considering
After I was elevating a pre-seed spherical, the recurring query from angels and VCs was concerning the sustainability of the enterprise and the way prospects will grow to be recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.ok.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want relatively than one thing a person wants each week.
And whereas I’ve had knowledge to showcase that 27% of our prospects have 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 considering wanted to go a lot larger.
I revised my pitch deck to point out blue-sky considering—to point out buyers that this product may develop right into a billion-dollar concept. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising and marketing product roadmap that I rapidly validated by getting early signups from a number of enterprise purchasers that have been already utilizing us for his or her workforce AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I finally declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Strive it on AI
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