How do you design a pitch deck that showcases your small business idea and its potential impact?

You need to know your audience, in my experience, it pays to do some research to find out what precisely the investor is looking for and what might be a friction point for them. You may be able to find out about past investments or find a youtube video where the investment/ firm might emphasise the gauge they use to evaluate specific opportunities. Finding this data enables you to focus on prioritising the key insights that'll help investors make their decision.

The structure should enable the investor to learn enough about your business to make an informed decision. I agree with hitting specific criteria for the pitch deck, but I am not sure that following a cookie-cutter approach is advisable. In fact, you may find the opposite to be true. Structuring your deck to address there biggest friction point (if known) and then explaining further if time allows.

The point about cluttered visual aids is very important. I have seen many data representations being done using a multi-color template, with the assumption that it is more "attractive." However, there is usually a trade-off between being attractive and being meaningful when presenting data. For instance, using multicolor histograms or bar charts is ONLY relevant if these are capturing entirely different concepts in one graph. Otherwise, stick with simplicity. Simple visuals for data often add a depth to the presentation... so focus on the message and not so much on how "pretty" things look.

I agree about using visual aids, but we're surrounded by screens so think about a tactile object that you could present as part of the presentation that leaps out of the screen and they can engage with the material. This could be a brochure, a prototype or a contraption you've designed for this purpose.

Avoid simply reading your slides, but stay within the topic illustrated by the visuals currently being shown. Your voice should be animated and confident. Show that you truly believe in your business.

I agree, I would also suggest practising around someone as a test run. You could then use their expressions as a queue to change the pace, move to the next slide or include/ exclude certain elements. For example, comedians would often do smaller local gigs to test their material. They would then revisit the material and tweak it according to the feedback. Each time you deliver your material, you're also practising and gaining more confidence.

As your startup evolves, so should your pitch deck. The narrative that worked wonders during the Seed stage might not hold the same weight in Series A. Think of it as a continuous story, each round building upon the last. You're not just updating numbers; you're refining your story to reflect your progress, lessons learned, and future potential. In Series A, investors expect a deeper dive into metrics, growth strategies, and market traction. Your pitch should evolve to showcase your journey's milestones and the compelling trajectory that lies ahead. So, remember, your pitch deck isn't static; it's a dynamic tool that grows with your startup. Keep it fresh, relevant, and aligned with your current stage and goals.