Free startup pitch deck template

Use this free business pitch deck template to attract new investors or strengthen relationships with your partners. Available in Google Slides format.

3 min read time

Ollie Maitland

Click here to download your free startup pitch deck template.

What is a pitch deck?

A pitch deck is a presentation used by a new business to outline its key aspects to potential investors, stakeholders, or partners. 

A pitch deck acts as a tool to communicate the startup's value proposition, business model, market opportunity, and growth strategy. 

Typically, a pitch deck consists of a series of slides that cover essential information about the startup. While the specific content and structure may vary depending on the industry and target audience, a standard pitch deck often includes: a problem statement, a proposed solution, the market opportunity, the business model, a go-to-market strategy, the team involved and financial projections. 

What is the purpose of a pitch deck?

A pitch deck should persuasively communicate a startup's key aspects to potential investors or stakeholders and leave a strong, positive impression.

A pitch deck aims to generate interest, excitement, and confidence in the business’ potential for success, with the goal of securing funding, a partnership, or any other form of support that would help the business to thrive and grow. 

What is the difference between a pitch deck vs a business plan?

Comparison table of a business plan and pitch deck: length, design, timing, goal, audience, frequency, and presentation time.

What makes a good pitch deck?

To create a good startup pitch deck, you should try to include the following information: 

  • Clear and focussed communication

Communicate the startup's value proposition, problem-solution fit, and market opportunity in a clear manner.
Try to prioritise only the essential information, to avoid unnecessary details and ensure the main points are easy to grasp.

  • Engaging visuals

Use visually appealing graphics, images, and charts to enhance understanding and maintain audience interest.

  • A compelling story

Tell a compelling narrative that captures the audience's attention and keeps them engaged throughout the presentation. Try starting your story with a customer problem, then go on to explain how your product or service would solve that. Consider using emotive language to make your story compelling.

  • Market validation

Provide data and evidence to support the market opportunity, showcasing demand and potential for growth. This is further proof for the ways your startup's product, or service, addresses a specific problem in the market.

  • Traction and milestones

Highlight any progress made to demonstrate customer traction and momentum; signed up users so far,  partnerships, or revenue generated.

  • Realistic financial projections. 

Include well-reasoned financial forecasts that demonstrate a clear path to profitability.
Conclude with a specific "ask" from potential investors and explain how the funding will be used to drive growth over a specific time period.

A pie chart with 14 green sections, each labeled with business topics like "Company Overview," "Marketing," and "Finances."

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Ollie Maitland

Ollie is Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Capitalise. He is a serial tech start-up product lead and has worked alongside VCs, technologists, service design experts & business minds to build market leading digital products in start-ups to multi-nationals.

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