What is a pitch deck? Definition and example slide outline
A pitch deck is a short slide presentation, often 10 to 15 slides, that a startup founder uses to explain the business to investors. It usually covers the problem, solution, market, business model, traction, team and how much money is being raised, and it's presented out loud in about 10 to 20 minutes before questions.
A typical slide order
Decks vary, but this order is common. The third column is what you say out loud, which should be shorter than what's written.
| # | Slide | What you say |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Title | Company name and one line on what it does |
| 2 | Problem | Who has the problem and what it costs them |
| 3 | Solution | What you built, in one sentence |
| 4 | Product | A screenshot or quick demo |
| 5 | Market | Who buys and roughly how many of them there are |
| 6 | Business model | How you make money |
| 7 | Traction | Real numbers so far: users, revenue, pilots |
| 8 | Competition | Who else solves this and why you're different |
| 9 | Team | Why these people can build it |
| 10 | Financials | Where the business is heading |
| 11 | The ask | How much you're raising and what it pays for |
Presenting it out loud
- Two versions. A deck sent by email must make sense without you, so it carries more text. The one you present can be sparser, because you're the explanation.
- Don't read the slides. Say the point, then let the slide back it up.
- About a minute per slide keeps 11 slides near 12 minutes, leaving time for questions.
- Expect interruptions. Investors often jump ahead to traction or the team. Know your deck well enough to skip there and come back.
- End on the ask, not on "Any questions?".
In the Speaking Coach app you can add your slides as a PDF, swipe through them while you speak, then answer the questions your audience would ask. The investor pitch guide covers what to say in detail.
Questions people ask
How many slides should a pitch deck have?
Often 10 to 15. Fewer is fine if each slide earns its place.
What's the difference between a pitch deck and a business plan?
A business plan is a long written document. A deck is a short visual summary meant to get a meeting or support a conversation.
Should I send my deck before the meeting?
Many founders send a short version ahead and present a cleaner one in the room. Ask what the investor prefers.
How long should the spoken pitch be?
Often 10 to 20 minutes, but ask how long you have and plan to finish early. A 3-minute version is useful for demo days.