10 Key Slides for a Best Pitch Deck: by Sequoia Capital

With investments in companies like Flipkart, Zomato, and OYO, Sequoia has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s rapidly evolving tech landscape. Thus, entrepreneurs looking to get investments from such venture capitalists, business loans or even applying for government schemes must have a solid pitch deck. In this article, we will explore Sequoia Capital’s 10 key slides for a great pitch deck.

Slide 1: Your Company’s Purpose

At first step, you need to Clearly state your company’s overarching goal and mission.
Next, you need to provide a brief, impactful statement that defines the core purpose of your business.
This is the “why” behind your company’s existence and should resonate with you and your team.

Slide 2: The Problem You Address

Identify the pain points within your industry that you are addressing.
Use statistics and anecdotes to emphasize the severity and significance of the problem.
Make it relatable to you and your team, so you can connect emotionally with the issue.

Slide 3: Your Solution

Clearly outline how your company is providing a solution to the identified problem.
Highlight the unique value proposition that sets your solution apart from competitors.
Use visuals, demos, or case studies to illustrate how your product/service works in practice.

Slide 4: Why Now?

Discuss recent trends or changes in the market that create an opportunity for your solution.
Explain why the timing is perfect for your business to thrive.
This could include technological advancements, shifts in consumer behavior, or regulatory changes affecting you.

Slide 5: Your Market Size

In this slide, you need to display the current market size and potential for growth.
Break down the Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM) for your business.
Use graphs or charts to visualize the market trends and your potential share.

Slide 6: Your Competition

Firstly, Identify main competitors and assess their market share.
Highlight what makes your company stand out or have a competitive advantage.
Provide insights into competitors’ funding, if available, to showcase the landscape affecting you.

Slide 7: Your Product/Development Roadmap

Outline the future plans for your product or service over the next few years. In addition, Highlight key milestones, features, or updates you plan to roll out.
Showcase your commitment to continuous improvement and staying ahead in the market, benefiting you and your team.

Slide 8: Your Business Model

Clearly explain your revenue model, pricing strategy, and sales pipeline.
Provide information on your customer acquisition and retention strategies.
Showcase how your business generates revenue and sustains profitability, benefiting you and your stakeholders.

Slide 9: Your Team

Introduce key team members, highlighting their relevant backgrounds and expertise. In addition, Emphasize why your team is uniquely positioned to execute the business plan.
Showcase any notable achievements or experiences that strengthen your team’s credibility, ultimately benefiting you.

Slide 10: Your Financials

Present key financial data, including your current Profit and Loss statement.
Provide projections for the next few years, demonstrating your anticipated growth.
Address any key assumptions or risk factors that might impact your financial performance.

Why is it important to have a Pitch Deck?

Venture Capital Funding:

If you’re aiming to secure venture capital funding, crafting a pitch deck is crucial. Because, it allows you to professionally and concisely present your startup, effectively communicating essential business details. So, by providing investors with a structured overview, it helps showcase your startup’s potential. You can get in-depth information about it at: Pitch deck for venture capital funding in India

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme:

When it comes to the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, having a well-prepared pitch deck is essential. The reason is it not only aligns your startup with the eligibility criteria but also serves as a transparent tool. Thus, pitch deck showcases how your business fits the scheme’s objectives, streamlining the evaluation process for administrators.

Startup India Certification:

If you’re pursuing Startup India Certification, think of your pitch deck as a documented business plan. As it offers a brief yet comprehensive snapshot of your startup, serving as a communication tool. It is important to note that, it helps you effectively convey the innovative aspects of your business and its growth potential to certifying authorities.

Business Loan:

In the process of applying for a business loan, your pitch deck becomes a crucial asset. It plays a significant role in aiding lenders’ risk assessment by presenting your business in a structured manner. Through clear financial projections and a detailed plan for utilising the loan, it helps lenders understand the associated risks and showcases your startup’s financial viability.

Conclusion

In summary, having a great pitch deck is super important for people who want to get money for their business or join government programs. In addition, The 10 slides from Sequoia Capital give a simple guide on how to tell a good story about your business to investors or program people. Whether you’re trying to get money from investors, join the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, get certified as a startup, or apply for a business loan, a well-made pitch deck helps a lot. Lastly, It shows that your business has a clear plan, is a good fit for the program or loan, and has a good chance of doing well in the business world.