Revising a pitch deck could be a daunting process, however it’s a vital step in direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds gentle on essentially the most impactful classes discovered from suggestions by angel traders. 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 rework your pitch and enhance your probabilities of success.
Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
Pitch in Format Buyers Anticipate
Give attention to What Lands Buyers
Keep away from Comparisons to Rivals
Create an Unattainable-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 Data Hole Successfully
Showcase Management Group’s Expertise
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
Emphasize Unit-Economics
Present Blue-Sky Pondering
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Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
When pitching my enterprise, nearly all angel traders would ask me to elucidate my “secret sauce” straight away.
Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: after I first obtained fascinated about productiveness as an idea, I attempted a variety of totally different choices on provide to assist individuals enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the fitting match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be searching for. So, I constructed the platform I wished with my firm, the place know-how, technique, and the human contact come collectively.
So, my recommendation to others could be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist traders know what makes you distinctive and investable.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
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Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
From my expertise working with numerous startups, one of the vital vital classes I’ve discovered about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final yr. The startup had an incredible AI-powered answer for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and sophisticated flowcharts.
After a number of conferences with angel traders who appeared to lose curiosity midway by means of, we helped them rework their deck to steer with the issue and market alternative first. The change was exceptional—as an alternative of opening with their know-how, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the business, adopted by actual tales from annoyed provide chain managers.
This strategy instantly grabbed traders’ 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 traders, 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 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 assume every slide needed to stand alone, however the very best recommendation I obtained was to think about 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, out of the blue, traders 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 Buyers Anticipate
The one lesson that I discovered when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% have to pitch within the format traders count on. On the subject of 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) circulation.
Additionally, after pitching numerous enterprise proposals up to now, I’d say that pitching is a ability. Storytelling is a ability. It’s one thing you’ll be able to enhance on. Telling your story is without doubt one of the most vital abilities 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
What You’re Doing Flawed In Your Pitch Deck
Give attention to What Lands Buyers
On the subject of pitch-deck revisions, I’ve discovered one factor: Each individual has their very own opinion and choice for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper method” is no matter lands you the traders and companions which can be a great match on your startup. The “unsuitable method” is each different method.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide
Keep away from Comparisons to Rivals
One essential lesson I discovered when revising our pitch deck, primarily based on suggestions from angel traders, was understanding how comparisons to rivals can affect investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our answer alongside present market gamers would emphasize the hole we have been filling and showcase how our answer is totally different.
Nonetheless, this strategy really ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with rivals that traders 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 an alternative of specializing in rivals, we would have liked to exhibit 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 answer as an modern chief slightly than simply one other market participant.
Rob Deming, COO, Fee Retriever
Create an Unattainable-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 advised me that traders 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 typically lead traders 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 might make an investor sit up and say, “Whoa, that is totally different.”
Main with this data-driven, high-impact slide was a recreation 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 contemplate—usually, we must be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from traders.
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 traders wish to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this actual second, searching for a mixture of market tendencies, shifts in know-how, or altering shopper conduct. Highlighting this side may be the tipping level in convincing traders.
The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly on account of an elevated concentrate on dwelling wellness and the continuing development towards dwelling upgrades. Individuals are prepared to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered life develop. This development 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. Comply with with Alternatives that exist on account of present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations what you are promoting seeks to satisfy by capturing this chance at the moment. Wrap up with Outcomes what you are promoting goals to attain by appearing now.
Structuring this slide with SOAR provides traders 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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Determine Patterns in Suggestions
One of many largest classes I discovered from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is that you may’t over-rotate primarily based on each single remark. It’s straightforward to get caught up in attempting to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As an alternative, you could hear fastidiously and determine patterns within the suggestions.
After a number of pitches, you begin to discover which components of your presentation really resonate with traders. 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 indicators that inform you what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.
Finally, 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 traders, you’ll be able to refine your pitch and improve your probabilities of success.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
My largest takeaway from updating my pitch deck because of receiving suggestions from angel traders was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as an alternative of obscure metrics about progress. Buyers wanted route, 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, corresponding to hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption targets, or partnerships that may unlock the subsequent part of progress. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely sensible and primarily based on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to simply embrace these actions and provides a extra centered, 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 advised them we’d really 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 traders could be a transformative expertise. One important lesson discovered is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Buyers admire 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 advanced concepts and specializing in core messages was important.
One other essential perception is the worth of tailoring the pitch to the viewers. Buyers usually have totally 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 additionally demonstrates an understanding of the traders’ views.
Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue what you are promoting solves. Buyers wish to see a transparent connection between the market want and your answer. 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.
General, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful instrument for refining your pitch. Listening to traders and making changes primarily based on their enter can result in a more practical 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 traders. Buyers wish to know not solely in regards to the improvements you deliver but additionally when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights attainable acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap exhibiting the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures traders that you simply’ve thought of their future pursuits.
Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Consumers, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Determine corporations which may profit from buying what you are promoting; these are your potential consumers. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to turn out to be enticing to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for if you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic pondering but additionally 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 Data Hole Successfully
One main lesson from revising the pitch deck primarily based on angel investor suggestions was discovering the best way to bridge the information hole in a method that’s each partaking and persuasive. After 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 traders, 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 properly. As an alternative of a regular clarification, we launched UGC with a short-form type overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This strategy instantly put us in our ingredient, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for traders 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 an alternative of getting caught in a “that is what UGC is” loop, we discovered traders asking extra related questions, indicating they “obtained it” and have been interested in subsequent steps. This modification led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we discovered that should you’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a method that feels accessible and fascinating—particularly if it means assembly traders on acquainted floor whereas showcasing your experience.
Yannick Habraken, Founder / CMO, Hyred
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Showcase Management Group’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. Nonetheless, angel traders, specifically, have usually already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be chatting with you with out the above.
As an alternative, what they’re usually most fascinated about is YOU and the management workforce! Make sure to exhibit your workforce’s well-rounded expertise and abilities and, extra importantly, your objective/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel traders are investing in YOU and the management workforce far more than the merchandise/companies and applied sciences.
Joe Palmer, Managing Associate, Prosperity Companions Consulting, Inc.
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel traders is that readability sells. I packed it with knowledge, pondering it might present my preparedness. As an alternative, traders wished simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the muddle.
One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t have to see all the pieces ; 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 answer. I discovered to current numbers in a method that feels intuitive, telling a story as an alternative of itemizing stats.
The distinction was speedy. Buyers leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch grew to become a dialog, not a lecture, and, in the end, it resonated as a result of it was exact and memorable.
John Beaver, Founder, Desky
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Emphasize Unit-Economics
A priceless lesson I discovered from revising my pitch deck after angel traders’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Buyers want to know the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made certain to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition price (CAC) and lifelong worth (LTV). These figures helped make clear how we might 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 traders to see a transparent path to profitability, rising their confidence within the enterprise.
Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Payment Monetary
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 turn out to be recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.okay.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want slightly than one thing a consumer 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 pondering wanted to go a lot greater.
I revised my pitch deck to point out blue-sky pondering—to point out traders that this product might develop right into a billion-dollar concept. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising product roadmap that I shortly validated by getting early signups from a number of enterprise shoppers that have been already utilizing us for his or her workforce AI headshots.
This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I in the end declined.
Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Attempt it on AI
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