Pitch decks are critical in any startup venture as they are a brief presentation that outlines the key elements of a business idea, product, or service, and how it will be monetized. It is an essential tool in communicating your vision, demonstrating your expertise, and persuading investors to fund your venture.
According to Guy Kawasaki, a well-known venture capitalist, a pitch deck should follow the 10/20/30 rule of PowerPoint. The rule states that a pitch should have ten slides, last no more than twenty minutes, and contain no font smaller than thirty points. This rule is applicable for any presentation to reach an agreement: for example, raising capital, making a sale, forming a partnership, etc.
The ten-slide rule is because a normal human being cannot comprehend more than ten concepts in a meeting. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your pitch concise and to the point. According to Y Combinator, a leading startup accelerator, a pitch deck should focus on the problem you’re solving, the solution you’re providing, the market size, your business model, your traction, your team, your competition, and your ask.
The twenty-minute rule is also essential because it allows you to keep the attention of your audience. Investors are busy people, and it’s important to respect their time. Therefore, keeping your pitch short and sweet will leave time for questions and discussion.
Additionally, your pitch deck should be visually appealing, using graphics and images to convey your message. This will make it easier for investors to understand your concept and will make your pitch more engaging.
In conclusion, pitch decks are a vital tool in securing investment for your startup. Following the 10/20/30 rule of PowerPoint, as outlined by Guy Kawasaki, and including key information as suggested by Y Combinator, can help ensure that your pitch is concise, compelling, and effective. Therefore, if you’re an entrepreneur seeking investment, it is crucial to create a pitch deck that follows these rules and includes the necessary information. By doing so, you increase your chances of securing the investment you need to turn your idea into a successful venture.
References:
- Kawasaki, Guy. “The Only 10 Slides You Need in Your Pitch.” Guy Kawasaki, 2015, guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/.
- Y Combinator. “The Ultimate Guide to Startup Pitch Decks.” Y Combinator, 2021, ycombinator.com/pitch-decks/.
- Graham, Paul. “A Fundraising Survival Guide.” Paul Graham, 2005, paulgraham.com/fr.html.
- Blank, Steve. “Why Having a Vision Matters.” Steve Blank, 2019, steveblank.com/2019/01/24/why-having-a-vision-matters/.
- Hoffman, Reid. “The Importance of Vision in Leadership.” Reid Hoffman, 2021, linkedin.com/pulse/importance-vision-leadership-reid-hoffman/.
- Horowitz, Ben. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things.” HarperCollins, 2014.
- Ries, Eric. “The Lean Startup.” Crown Business, 2011.
Here is a link to Guy’s sample pitch desk: Guy Kawasaki Pitch Desk Template. Link to Guy’s post: Guy Kawasaki’s Blog post on the pitch deck