IdeaSpace global interns Joe Sullivan and Matt Corrigan collated best practices from IdeaSpace pitch decks to give a short cut on what investors might look for in a deck.

1. VC Pitch-Deck Skeleton

2. Executive Summary
 Product - What you are selling
 Target Market
 Business Model
 Team and Founders
 Current clients
 Current - How much money you have already raised
 Request - How much money you need

3. Market Opportunity
 What is the real universe of your opportunity
 Helpful to have a chart with primary target market, then
increasing in size until you show everyone who is a
potential consumer

4. Needs
 What is the current problem that you plan to provide a
good solution for?

5. Solution
 How does your product satisfy this need?
 A quick explanation of how your product works
 If digital based, a screenshot (desktop or mobile) is
helpful

6. Competitor
 Who are they?
 What do they do?
 Competitive Positioning
chart (OPTIONAL)
 Where on this chart are
you located versus your
competitors?

7. Benefits/Differentiation/Comp
etitive Advantage
 Explain why your solution is better or different
 Do not try to cover all bases – try not to say your
product is best in everything. A product is more
believable if you recognize where your shortcomings
are, but back it up with strengths in other locations.

8. Pricing Model
 How will your product make money?
 Revenues versus Expenses

9. Current Clients
 Who are they
 Description
 What is the extent of their engagement
 What is the revenue potential from said clients
 Potential investors like to hear about current clients to
ensure your product is legitimate and successful

10. Sales Pipeline
 Potential Clients, contracts being written currently

11. Client Testimonials (If
possible)
 Dependent on if you have testimonials or clients, but
definitely helpful to include

12. Pictures and Examples
 Showing a tangible product or interface is beneficial

13. Financial Projections
 Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and a Statement
of Cash Flows
 Realistic numbers are reassuring to an investor
 “Hockey stick” slide

14. Revenue Forecast
 Break even point
 5 year forecast

15. Milestones
 What goals do you have?
 How will your product expand or develop in the future
 Investors will want to know that your product will continue
to be relevant in the future

16. Team Description
 Typically your 4 main people
 In-depth descriptions of them
 What qualifications do you have?

17. Advisors/Mentors
 Who are the people who have advised you thus far?
 What experience do they have?
 Validate your advisors/mentors

18. Requested Investment
 What are you looking for as an initial investment?
 How do you plan on using this investment if received?
 Have a break down of how you will allocate these funds
 This will reassure the investor that you have a full
understanding of why you need the amount of money you
are asking for.

19. Thank You
 Contact Information