You spent weeks perfecting your pitch deck. Every slide carefully crafted, each data point triple-checked, a touch of color for visual appeal. And then — the investor opened it, skimmed through in under three minutes, and moved on without scheduling a meeting. A well-designed pitch deck investors will read can make or break your fundraising efforts.
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common in startup fundraising.
Your pitch deck is more than a presentation — it’s your startup’s first impression. It’s the most important document standing between your idea and potential investment. Yet, many investor pitch decks fall flat. Not because the idea lacks merit, but because the message lacks clarity — or the design fails to hold attention.
According to a DocSend report, investors spend less than three minutes on average reviewing a pitch deck. That’s all the time you have to grab attention, communicate value, and earn a conversation. If your investor deck is cluttered, too long, or visually confusing — it’s game over before it begins.
At Ontik Advisory, we’ve helped dozens of early-stage founders build pitch decks that not only get read, but also get funded. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to design a pitch deck investors will actually read — and remember.
Start With a Story That Sticks
Great investor decks don’t start with product features or spreadsheets, they start with a story.
Your opening slide or two should set the stage with a vivid snapshot of the problem you’re solving and why it matters. Remember, investors aren’t investing in just a product — they’re backing a problem worth solving.
Instead of launching into “what your startup does,” start with the why. Describe the pain point. Show the gap. Use real-world language that builds emotional connection.
For example, rather than saying:
“We’re building an AI chatbot for small businesses.”
Try this:
“Small businesses lose up to 40% of potential customers due to delayed responses. Our platform ensures they never miss a lead again.”
That single shift turns your pitch into a story; one investors can follow and feel.
Use a Structure Investors Expect
The best investor pitch decks don’t reinvent the wheel, they follow a familiar structure that investors can quickly digest. It’s not about creativity here; it’s about clarity and flow.
One of the most trusted formats comes from Sequoia Capital, and it includes these core slides:
- Cover Slide
- Problem
- Solution
- Market Opportunity
- Product (Demo or Screenshots)
- Business Model
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Traction & Milestones
- Team
- Financial Projections
- The Ask
Each slide has a job. Together, they tell a story of potential, execution, and opportunity.
Pro Tip: Your pitch deck isn’t your business plan, it’s a teaser. The only goal? Get the meeting.
Design for Skimming, Not Reading
Think of your investor deck like a billboard, not a brochure. Investors don’t read, they skim. You have seconds to make an impression per slide.
Here’s what works:
- Stick to one core idea per slide
- Use large fonts, bold headlines, and clear visuals
- Replace text blocks with icons, mockups, or simple charts
- Highlight growth using graphs, not spreadsheets
- Use 2–3 brand-consistent colors and high-contrast fonts
Avoid clutter. Make every slide scannable in five seconds or less.
If you’re not a designer, tools like Canva, Beautiful.ai, and Pitch.com offer professional-looking templates that can help you create a polished appearance. Or, better yet, work with a team (like us) that specializes in investor pitch design.
"A pitch deck is not a book. It's a billboard. Make it crisp, visual, and obvious."
Show Momentum — and Why Now
Traction is one of the most persuasive slides in your investor pitch deck, but many founders treat it as an afterthought.
Investors are drawn to momentum. It shows the idea works. It shows the team can execute.
Show your:
- Revenue growth
- Monthly active users
- Early customer logos
- Pilot programs or partnerships
Even if you’re pre-revenue, show progress, like prototype validation, user interviews, or waitlist numbers. Prepare something to put in the deck that gets investor attention.
Then answer the unspoken investor question: Why now?
Highlight shifts in market behavior, new regulations, or emerging tech trends that make your solution timely.
Timing isn’t everything, but it’s often the difference.
Make the Ask — and Make It Clear
Your final slide should be crystal clear about how much you’re raising and what you’ll do with it. This is the moment to show that you understand what it takes to execute, and that you’re fundraising with intention. Include:
- The amount you’re raising
- Use of funds (team, tech, marketing, etc.)
- Key milestones you aim to hit
Don’t write vague statements like “We’re looking to raise capital.”
Instead, say something like:
“We’re raising $750K to expand our product team, enter two new markets, and reach $100K in MRR within six months.”
Specificity builds trust. Clarity builds credibility.
It’s Not About Perfection — It’s About Precision
Here’s the truth: Investors don’t expect perfection. But they do expect precision.
They want a pitch deck that shows you:
- Understand your market
- Know your numbers
- Communicate clearly
- Respect their time
A well-designed pitch deck isn’t just a fundraising tool, it’s a trust signal. It opens the door for conversation. And that’s where real funding begins.
Need Help Building Your Pitch Deck?
At Ontik Advisory, we help early-stage tech startups craft pitch decks that resonate. Whether you need help shaping your story, designing high-converting slides, or preparing for investor meetings, our team is here to guide you from idea to investment. To help you get started, we’ve created a pitch deck template based on proven investor-backed formats — complete with essential slides and tips on what to include.
Book a free consultation today and let’s turn your pitch into something investors can’t ignore.