6 things founders must include in a Pitch Deck

When I was on the founder’s office side, we paid ₹35,000 for a sub-par investor pitch deck.

Fast forward to today — I’m now on the investor side, funding frugal innovation in India - and I truly understand what makes a deck stand out. The goal of your deck isn’t to close the deal; it’s to make an investor curious enough to book that first meeting.

Here’s what you must have in your pitch deck - and what you should avoid.

1. Problem Statement

Dedicate 1–2 slides to explain your problem statement clearly. The most effective way to do this is by telling a story through your Ideal Customer Persona (ICP) or by illustrating the current broken workflow.

Example:
If you’re solving for music education access in Tier II towns, paint the picture. Ravi aspired to learn music. But his only option was his school teacher, who had limited expertise. His talent went untapped.

“Our brains are wired to respond to stories… Even a crappy game… sells a million copies because it tells a story. So you should try to tell one, too.” - Peter Thiel, Co-founder of PayPal

Make it real. Make it relatable.

2. Solution

Show how you’re solving the problem — in clear, simple language.

Avoid jargon like “full-stack”, “AI-driven”, or “fully integrated” unless they are truly critical to your solution.

Use images, short videos, or screenshots. Make your solution so obvious that even someone outside your industry can understand it.

3. Progress So Far

This is where you build credibility.

Show where you are in your journey:

• Stage of your product or service
• Pilot runs or partnerships
• Any relevant IPs
• Traction and revenue numbers
• Customer testimonials
  
  I once ignored a pitch because the problem felt too niche — until I saw the revenue numbers. Sales don’t lie.

“Your goal is not to give facts, but to fascinate your investor.” — Vinod Khosla

4. Your Team

Great companies aren’t just built on great ideas. They are built on exceptional execution.

Use this section to show why you and your team have the right to win. Go beyond degrees and past experience — highlight relevant expertise, grit, and why your team understands this problem better than anyone else.

5. Your Ask: Funds and Milestones

Clearly state how much you’re raising (and what you’ve raised in the past, if relevant).

But here’s the trick — don’t break it down into detailed percentages like “15% for salaries” or “30% for office expansion.”

Instead, talk in terms of milestones:

• Launching a new product line
• Adding new features
• Expanding into new geographies
• Scaling up user acquisition

Investors want to know what their capital will achieve, not just where it will sit.

6. Things You Should Avoid

There are common mistakes I see every week. Avoid these traps:

• Over-reliance on AI-generated text — we’re investing in you, not ChatGPT.
• Overly complex design — simplicity wins. Stick to clean templates and easy-to-read fonts (black and white works beautifully).
• TAM, SAM, SOM overload — don’t spend a whole slide justifying these numbers. Mention them briefly, but don’t make them the centerpiece.

Pro Tip: Keep It Short

Preferably, 10 slides or less. Go up to 15 only if you’re adding value with self-explanatory media like screenshots or demo clips.

The objective of the deck is simple:
Get the investor to read, understand the crux, and want to reach out to you.

TL;DR – The Six Slides:

1. Problem (tell a story)
2. Solution (keep it clear and visual)
3. Progress (traction, users, revenue)
4. Team (why you win execution-wise)
5. Ask + Milestones (what you'll achieve with money)
6. Don’ts (no fluff, no jargon, just simplicity)