BUILDING A WINNING INVESTMENT DECK

Written By Sarah Radovich

Most pitch decks don’t fail because the idea is bad. They fail to even get you a meeting.

In the first edition of our investment deck, we were sending around 34 pages, and wondering why no one was replying. When we we’re told to get it down to 10, we claimed all of the info was essential, but the proof was in the lack of meetings. We had a lot of trimming to do.

Here’s what actually matters:

1. one structure for all

Your deck needs to follow a clear, proven flow. The must-haves:

  • Problem

  • Solution

  • Vision

  • Why Now

  • Product

  • Market Size

  • Competitive Landscape / Differentiation

  • Business Model

  • Customer / Audience Insight

  • Traction

  • Revenue Streams

  • Team

  • Financials

  • The Ask / Use of Funds

2. DON’T PAD IT OUT

Keep it tight — aim for 10 to 14 slides total. If a slide isn’t adding clarity or it’s not grounded in proof, then cut it. It’s causing a distraction from what matters, and more than likely, its causing your deck to be pushed to the side.

Often, this will require a fresh set of eyes, because if you’ve done all the work, its very hard to not include it all.

3. Show that it’s working

You don’t need millions in revenue, but you do need evidence. That could be:

  • A growing waitlist

  • High conversion rates

  • Loyal customers

  • Strong unit economics

Show that there’s demand, and that you know how to scale it.

4. Be honest with the numbers

Your financials don’t need to be complex, but they do need to make sense. If you’re doing £5K a month, don’t project £10M next year. Know your margins, your burn, your runway, and what you actually need to raise to hit your next milestone.

5. The team matters more than you think

Investors back people. Why are you the one to build this? What have you done before? What gives you the edge?

Final thoughts

A strong deck is simple, honest, and built around proof. It gives investors what they need to say yes…most likely to another meeting. You should expect to “date” for months before its go time, so manage your expectation.

I work with founders to build investor-friendly decks that get results. If yours isn’t landing, or you’re not sure what’s missing, let’s talk.

Sarah Radovich
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