If you’ve ever googled “how to write a pitch deck”, you’ve probably ended up on a blog filled with vague advice, glossy templates, or billion-dollar startup examples that feel miles away from where you are.
Let’s fix that.
A pitch deck isn’t some magical document. It’s just a clear, concise way of telling someone what you’re building, why it matters, and why they should care, especially if they’re an investor.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what a pitch deck really is, what each slide should contain, and how to approach it if you’re starting from scratch (and probably doing five other things at once).
No jargon. No theory. Just practical help to make sure your pitch deck does what it’s supposed to do: open doors.
What Is a Pitch Deck (and Why Does It Matter)?
A pitch deck is a visual summary of your startup—it’s what you use to introduce yourself to investors, accelerators, and sometimes even potential partners.
Think of it as your startup’s highlight reel. It’s not your business plan. It’s not your full financial model. It’s your first impression, and it needs to be clear, intentional, and just enough to get people curious.
The goal?
Spark interest. Not close the deal.
The Essential Slides Every Deck Should Include
Here’s a breakdown of what goes into most standard investor pitch decks and what you should include in each:
- Cover Slide
What to include: Your startup name, logo, tagline, and contact info.
Tip: Keep it clean. One line that hints at what you do is more than enough.
- Problem Slide
Why this matters: Investors want to know what real pain point you’re solving.
What to include:
- A clear, relatable description of the problem
- Data or anecdotes that show it’s worth solving
- Who’s experiencing the problem (your target market)
Your job here: Make them nod. “Yep, that’s a real issue.”
- Solution Slide
What to include:
- Your product or service
- How it solves the problem better than what's out there now
- A quick visual or demo screenshot, if you can
Your job: Show that your solution isn’t just clever; it’s necessary.
- Market Slide
What to include:
- Your target market size (TAM/SAM/SOM if you’ve got it)
- Why now is the right time to go after it
- Any trends backing your timing
Tip: Avoid crazy inflated numbers with no basis. If your market is niche, own it and explain your wedge.
- Product Slide
What to include:
- How the product works
- Key features
- Screenshots or flow if applicable
Optional: A quick video or live demo link (but keep it short!).
- Business Model Slide
What to include:
- How you make money (pricing, revenue streams)
- Who pays and when
- Any traction, revenue to date, or pipeline
Your job: Show that this isn’t just a great idea; it’s a business.
- Traction Slide
What to include:
- Milestones achieved (users, revenue, partnerships)
- Growth metrics (MoM/YoY if you have it)
- Any proof of demand (waitlists, case studies, retention)
Tip: Even if you’re early, show momentum. Early wins matter.
- Go-to-Market Slide
What to include:
- Your strategy for getting customers
- Channels you’ll use (paid, partnerships, direct sales, etc.)
- Customer acquisition cost (CAC) if known
Your job: Convince them you can get in front of the right people.
- Team Slide
What to include:
- Founders + key team members
- Brief backgrounds (1 line each)
- Why you are the right team for this challenge
Tip: Highlight relevant experience. Investors back people, not just products.
- Financials Slide
What to include:
- 3–5 year projections
- Revenue, burn, and runway
- Key assumptions (keep it high level)
Important: You’re not expected to be 100% right, but show you’ve thought it through.
- Ask Slide (aka “What You Need”)
What to include:
- How much you’re raising
- What you’ll use it for (product, hiring, marketing, etc.)
- Your funding round stage (pre-seed, seed, Series A...)
Tip: Be specific but don’t overload. No one wants a budget spreadsheet here.
- Closing/Thank You Slide
What to include:
- “Thank you”/Any other Closing Phrase
- Contact info
- Optionally, a reminder of your tagline or one-liner
Your job: Leave them with a good impression and an easy way to reach you.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Honest, and Human
A pitch deck isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being clear, intentional, and confident. Don’t hide your gaps—acknowledge them. Don’t oversell—explain. The best decks leave room for conversation.
And hey—if you’re not sure where to start, Pitchwise has pitch deck templates in our resource library to help you get going. Because you shouldn’t have to build your deck from scratch—or in the dark.
Check it out here
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