The Investor’s Pitch Deck Checklist For 2023

By Kelly Richardson, co-founder of Infobrandz. She likes to help people build businesses through visual communication & her influential blogs.

As we enter 2023, the honest truth for global startup funding is singular—there seems to be no more cheap money for startups. And it’s a hard pill to swallow.

According to Crunchbase, global VC funding for startups fell 69% between November 2021 and November 2022, and the downward trend seems to show no signs of turning up yet. Ultimately, the global VC funding size for startups was $445 billion in 2022, 35% less than in 2021.

Yes, it’s a harrowing stat for budding startups. But there are some bright sides, too. Let’s consider those.

2023 Investor Outlook

As some investors become increasingly risk-averse, it’s crucial for companies to demonstrate their resilience and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing market. In my work helping companies design pitch decks and other visuals, overall I’ve noticed some of the key trends for a successful pitch deck in 2023 are a clear focus on sustainability, a strong digital presence and a robust plan for navigating uncertainty.

Many investors are looking for businesses that have not only a solid financial plan but also a clear strategy for reducing their environmental footprint and positively impacting communities.

On the other hand, the shift to a remote work environment has accelerated the adoption of technology, making it crucial for companies to also showcase their digital capabilities in their pitch decks.

Often, investors are looking for a startup that:

• Demonstrates an intelligible path to profitability.

• Has a clear, compelling value proposition and a solid plan for growth.

• Has an apposite startup pitch deck. Investors are paying close attention to the team, the market opportunity and the company’s financials.

• Has evidence of traction, such as customer testimonials and a deep understanding of the target market.

• Has the potential to generate strong returns on investment.

• Is poised for success.

Put simply, I’ve found the whole thing is based on three things: proven ROI (fueled by product-market fitness), a structured business model to scale and a versatile team to execute the business model.

Building An Effective Pitch Deck And Presentation

We now have an idea about what investors are looking for, but how do you prove that your company fits the bill? The answer is a compelling pitch deck presentation that sets you apart and validates that your company is worth making an investment in. So let’s check out some steps to create an effective pitch deck that is in line with high investor expectations.

Step 1: Research like never before!

Research is the foundation for every claim and promise you make in your pitch deck. So begin with researching your business model, then study the market to build a clear user persona and market profile. Follow this with some research about the investors you are targeting. This will help you create your pitch deck and also define your valuation and funding requirements correctly.

Step 2: Build a compelling pitch deck.

Build your pitch deck based on your research with a time-tested structure, such as the following:

1. Executive summary

2. Problem

3. Solution

4. Market

5. Business model

6. Team details

7. Milestones and traction

8. Competition

9. Financials

10. Investment

Here are some additional guidelines to follow while designing your pitch deck.

• Make sure the presentation is concise, with key points and details with relevant statistics. Don’t hesitate to use visual content, such as legible infographics and videos.

• Ensure that your slides on business model, financials and market predictions address major investor concerns, like your business’s sustainability and your plans for dealing with market uncertainties.

• Present your social media and website performance while explaining your business model and traction to show that you are in sync with modern customers.

• Limit the number of slides, and don’t extend your presentation unnecessarily.

• Use attractive but professional slide designs, and apply a storytelling format while presenting your slides to maintain engagement and continuity.

Step 3: Practice and present.

Practice your pitch deck presentation with the target investors in mind, and prepare beforehand for possible questions from investors. Also, send any required documents like the executive summary or presentation file in advance.

Your presentation should start with an interesting hook, then follow a storyline and end with a persuasive but practical call to action for funding. Make sure to introduce your team properly and present with confidence and a professional demeanor.

The Bottom Line

While the design and aesthetics are crucial, make sure to prioritize high-quality text and visual content that informs and persuades investors in your pitch deck. Moreover, practice to make your live presentation impeccable and focused on addressing the concerns of your investors in order to successfully secure the funds you deserve.