The meeting focused on explaining the ideal structure and content for an investor pitch deck, referencing well-known examples like Uber, Airbnb, and Slidebean itself.
Key slides and talking points were presented, including recommendations for best practices and common pitfalls.
Practical guidance was provided on slide content, storytelling, and presentation strategies.
Attendees were encouraged to access Slidebean’s downloadable templates and upcoming resources for further support.
Action Items
No dated or attendee-specific action items were specified.
Pitch Deck Structure Overview
There is a widely accepted, standard outline for investor pitch decks, with most successful decks (Uber, Airbnb, Slidebean) following similar structures.
Main slides include: Cover, Problem, Solution, Product Demo, Market Size, Business Model, Competition, Underlying Magic (Competitive Advantage), Go-to-Market Plan, Team, Traction/Milestones, and Fundraising Information.
Detailed Slide Recommendations
Cover Slide
Simple introduction; design matters but content is minimal.
Problem Slide
Clearly state the existing issue in the market, avoiding jargon and debatable claims.
Use concrete, relatable examples to foster empathy and credibility with investors.
Solution Slide
Present the product/company as the solution, emphasizing core functions and direct benefits—avoid technical jargon.
Focus messaging on customer outcomes, not features.
Product Demo
Live demos can be risky; consider a pre-recorded video, especially for remote presentations.
Aim to present the product’s value/“aha” moment within 30 seconds.
Market Size
Explain market opportunity using either Top-Down or Bottom-Up analysis, favoring accuracy.
Reference potential scenarios to illustrate both conservative and ambitious outcomes.
Business Model
Clearly explain how the company makes money (e.g., commission per transaction).
Simple models are preferable and more credible.
Competition
Use visual grids/axes to compare your offering with competitors and show differentiation.
Select metrics (axes) that showcase your advantage (e.g., quality vs. time, affordability vs. online presence).
Underlying Magic / Competitive Advantage
Highlight proprietary technology, patents, or unique advantages that set the company apart.
This is where more technical details can be provided.
Go-to-Market Plan
Share concrete and varied strategies for customer acquisition, acknowledging that these may change.
Demonstrate both creativity and execution capability.
Team Slide
Introduce founders and the core team, focusing on why they are uniquely qualified.
Recommended founder mix: hustler (business), hacker (technical), and hipster (design/branding).
Do not include advisors or non-full-time team members.
Traction / Milestones
Present key growth metrics or revenue to build credibility; ideally, show a growth chart.
If no revenue, show active user growth—otherwise consider if you’re ready to pitch.
Fundraising Information
Include only when sending decks privately to accredited investors.
Omit this slide in public presentations due to U.S. SEC regulations.
Design and Additional Resources
Emphasize good slide design for a strong first impression.
Slidebean offers redesigned templates of famous pitch decks, available for download.
Additional resources (articles, videos) for deep dives on business models and storytelling are available.
Decisions
Adopt a standard pitch deck structure — to align with investor expectations and leverage proven formats.
Leverage Slidebean templates — as a resource for both structure and design best practices.