The Ultimate PowerPoint Pitch Guide: From Concept to Close in 10 Slides

The 10-slide pitch deck has become the industry standard for good reason: it forces clarity, ensures completeness, and respects investors' time. Here's how to craft each slide for maximum impact.

Slide 1: Title & Tagline

Your first impression. Include company name, logo, tagline, and your contact information. The tagline should explain what you do in under 10 words. Think "Uber for X" but more original.

Slide 2: The Problem

Make investors feel the pain. Use specific examples, real stories, or shocking statistics. The problem should be urgent, expensive, and widespread. Avoid generic market observations.

Slide 3: The Solution

Show your product in action. Use screenshots, mockups, or a simple diagram. Explain your solution in one sentence, then show how it works. Focus on benefits, not features.

Slide 4: Market Opportunity

Prove the opportunity is massive. Show TAM, SAM, and SOM. Use bottom-up analysis when possible. Include market growth rates and trends driving expansion.

Slide 5: Business Model

Explain how you make money. Show pricing, unit economics, and customer lifetime value. Include current revenue if you have it. Keep it simple—investors should understand immediately.

Slide 6: Traction

Prove momentum with metrics. Show user growth, revenue, partnerships, or product milestones. Use charts that go up and to the right. Include logos of notable customers.

Slide 7: Competition

Show you understand the landscape. Use a 2x2 matrix positioning yourself in the winning quadrant. Acknowledge competitors but highlight your unique advantages.

Slide 8: Team

Prove you can execute. Highlight relevant experience, domain expertise, and past successes. Include advisors if impressive. Show why you're uniquely qualified.

Slide 9: Financials

Project 3-5 years forward. Show revenue, expenses, and path to profitability. Be ambitious but defensible. Include key assumptions.

Slide 10: The Ask

Be specific about what you need. State the amount raising, use of funds, and milestones you'll achieve. End with a clear call to action.

Design Principles

• 30-point minimum font size • No more than 6 bullet points per slide • Use high-contrast colors • One message per slide • Consistent formatting throughout

This structure has helped startups raise billions. Master it, then make it your own.

Pitch Deck Resources

To enhance your presentation skills, explore our choose the right presentation tool, review our critical slide mistakes to avoid, and learn from our Steve Jobs' design principles. These resources complement the strategies discussed in this article and provide additional techniques for mastering your presentations.