"What should I include in my pitch deck?"

A pitch deck is an essential tool for start-ups to secure funding from investors. A well-crafted pitch deck should be a clear and concise representation of your business idea, market opportunity, and the team behind the project. I see between 10 and 20 pitch decks a week, and a lot of people forget some of the basics and make assumptions about their audience. I would say that the biggest error I see, is a lack of explanation about the product or service. There should be no confusion after reading your deck, about what it is your business provides. It's very easy, when you're in the thick of it, to forget that people on the outside don't know what you know! And you can end up writing a pitch that says everything about what you need and the financials with very little content about what the business actually does. Assume your prospective investor knows nothing about your product or industry, your goal is to make then fall in love with your business by using your enthusiasm and knowledge.

The following 12 elements should be included in your pitch deck:

1.?????Elevator Pitch: This is a brief overview of your business idea, usually in a sentence or two. It should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.

2.?????Problem: Clearly state the problem your product or service is trying to solve. Describe the pain points of the target market and how your solution addresses these.

3.?????Solution: Present your solution to the problem, explaining how it is unique and better than current solutions. Be sure to highlight the benefits of your solution and how it solves the problem.

4.?????Market Research: Show that you have done your homework and have a deep understanding of the market. Present the size of the market, the target audience, and any trends or growth projections.

5.?????Target Market: Clearly define your target market, including their demographic information, pain points, and buying behaviour.

6.?????Marketing Plan: Explain how you plan to reach your target market and promote your product or service. Include a detailed plan of how you will use various channels such as social media, advertising, events, etc.

7.?????Demonstrate Traction: Show that your solution is in demand and has already gained traction. This can be in the form of early adopters, partnerships, media coverage, or other milestones that demonstrate your progress.

8.?????Competitor Analysis: Analyse your competition, including their strengths and weaknesses, and explain how your solution is better. Be sure to highlight why your solution is unique and why you have an edge over your competition.

9.?????Who’s in Your Team? Introduce your team, including their backgrounds and relevant experience. Emphasize how your team has the skills and expertise to bring the solution to market.

10.?Milestones: Present your key milestones and the timeline for achieving them. This should include product development milestones, fundraising goals, and any other key achievements.

11.?Financials: Present your financial projections, including revenue and expenses, and explain how you plan to generate revenue and achieve profitability.

12.?Ask for the Investment: Finally, ask for the investment. Be clear on the amount you are seeking, what it will be used for, and what the expected return on investment is. Be confident, but also be prepared to answer any questions the investors may have.

A pitch deck should be a clear, concise, and compelling representation of your business idea and the team behind it. It should demonstrate your understanding of the market and the problem, explain your solution and how it solves the problem, and show how you plan to bring the solution to market and generate enough revenue to give investors an excellent return.