The most important slides in your Pitch Deck

As the fundraising landscape has evolved between 2022 and 2023, it’s become apparent that more than ever, investors are sharpening their focus and intensifying their scrutiny.

Understanding the structure and content of successful pitch decks is now crucial for securing funding.

Here are the 3 most important slides based on 2023 data:

Financials

2023 Trend: Investors are looking for clear and credible financial projections, emphasising their increased importance in decision-making.

Insight: Successful decks typically place ‘Financials’ at the 12th position, underlining the strategic buildup to financial discussions within the pitch.

Business Model

2023 Trend: Observes a 48% increase in investor scrutiny, and 85% more in unsuccessful decks, signaling the critical role this slide plays.

Insight: Often placed 4th in successful decks, indicating its foundational role early in the presentation to set the stage for value proposition and market strategy.

Traction

2023 Trend: Receives 25% more attention, and 110% more in unsuccessful decks, highlighting its importance in demonstrating market validation.

Insight: Positioned 10th in successful decks, providing evidence of growth and market acceptance following the explanation of the business model and market size.

Interestingly, while the ‘Competition’ slide remains essential, there’s a noted decrease in the time investors spend on it, suggesting a possible shift in focus towards internal metrics and innovation rather than comparative analysis.

As we continue to navigate a challenging investment climate, it’s crucial to understand the winning formula behind successful pitch decks, but remember to always personalise your deck, follow your business story, this is not a white or black situation.

Below is a visual representation of the order of slides that was most successful in 2023:

Source: https://smartling.docsend.com/index/startup-fundraising/

This arrangement leverages a strategic buildup, focusing first on solidifying the business’s foundation before moving into specifics like market strategies and financial details.

We hope this guide helps you craft a pitch that resonates well with the modern investor’s criteria.