Pitch decks
The average pitch deck sent to Richard C. Wilson runs about 44 pages, within a range of 35 to 52. He recommends 12 to 19 pages instead, paired with a one-page teaser so a busy investor can decide quickly whether to take a meeting. The founder video should run two to five minutes at the very longest. Richard's own one-minute founder video was cut from 1 minute 12 seconds to 59 seconds.
The pages below cover the pitch deck scoring tool, which reviews a deck against 25 criteria, and a master due diligence questionnaire of about 30 questions and answers. They also address financial slides for a fund manager's deck and deal structure changes that improved raises. In the panel discussion, one panelist says a founder who cannot describe the product within 30 seconds loses this investor's attention.
9 videos, 3 questions and 1 guide on this topic.
Guides
- How to Build a Pitch Deck Investors Actually ReadMost pitch decks I see are 40 to 70 pages long.
Videos with summaries and takeaways
- Hot Seats on Pitch Decks, Deal Structures and Due DiligenceA one-pager with a timeline helps a sponsor with a long track record present a new platform as credible.
- 6 Must-Have Assets to Raise Capital FasterRichard C.
- Pitch Materials, Ads and Focus: A Capital Raising WorkshopRichard C.
- 5 Changes to a Deal Structure and Investor Pitch That Improved RaisesA one pager has one job, which is to earn the next conversation.
- Pitch Decks and Capital Raising Materials: Keep Them Short and VisualA 12 to 19 page pitch deck works better than a 44 page one, according to Richard C.
- How to Reach Institutional Quality When Raising CapitalA 12 to 19 page pitch deck with an executive summary is one sign of institutional quality, according to Richard C.
- Capital Raising Tips from Investor Club LeadersInvestor club leaders on a panel answered one question: what should capital raisers do to get funded? Manny said to seek a warm introduction through a past founder, a lawyer or a LinkedIn contact.
- 5 Free Must-Haves Every Investor Wants in Your Pitch DeckRichard C.
- What Investors Want to See in a Pitch Deck: A Panel DiscussionA panel of investors each name what they want to see in a pitch deck.
Questions answered
- What financial slides should a fund manager's deck include?A fund manager's deck should show the numbers an investor tests first.
- How long should an investor pitch deck be?Keep your investor pitch deck to about 10 to 19 pages.
- What is an investor teaser and what goes in it?An investor teaser is a one-page, one-sided PDF that tells an investor what your deal is and why it is compelling in two or three ways.
- How do I explain my startup idea to investors?Start with the customer problem, then explain in plain language how your startup addresses it.
- How do you pitch an investor for the first time?I would pitch an investor for the first time by keeping the conversation short, relevant, and focused on their interests.
- How should I follow up with an investor after a meeting?I follow up with investors by listening carefully, documenting what matters to them, and contacting them when I have something genuinely valuable to share.
- How can I make my investor pitch more convincing?I make an investor pitch more convincing by showing a clear fit between the opportunity and a specific investor.
Tools for this topic
Common questions
How long should an investor pitch deck be?
Richard C. Wilson recommends about 10 to 19 pages. He says most decks he sees run 40 to 70 pages, which busy investors will not read.
What financial slides should a fund manager's deck include?
A fund manager's deck should show a fee breakdown, projected returns, the equity split, the preferred return and the big assumptions the deal depends on. Securities counsel should review any return projections before they are sent.
Earlier answers on this subject: Questions about pitching investors.
