aaronvanston Pitch Deck
Create investor-ready pitch decks that get meetings, pass AI screening, and tell your story without you in the room.
Pitch Deck vs. Presented Deck
| Aspect | Presented Deck | Pitch Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Text density | Minimal — speaker adds context | Higher — must stand alone |
| Structure | Flexible narrative | Expected frameworks (Sequoia, YC) |
| Traction | Discussed verbally | Shown prominently with charts |
| The Ask | Built to naturally | Explicit dedicated slide |
| Length | Flexible | 10-15 slides max |
| Reading speed | 3 sec/slide (glance media) | 30-60 sec/slide (studied) |
The 10-Slide Framework
Slide 1: Title
Company name, one-line description, contact info, optional traction hook.
Slide 2: Problem
The pain point — who experiences it, why it's urgent. Lead with customer quotes or data. If the problem isn't real or urgent, nothing else matters.
Slide 3: Solution
Product in 30 seconds. Show transformation ("Before → After"), not feature lists.
Slide 4: Traction
Charts over text. Revenue, users, growth rate, milestones, customer logos. Move this earlier if numbers are strong.
Slide 5: Market Size
TAM, SAM, SOM with clear definitions. Bottom-up calculation preferred. Why now?
**TAM:** $X global market
**SAM:** $Y — target segment in target geographies
**SOM:** $Z — specific niche you're capturing now
Slide 6: Business Model
How you make money. Pricing structure, unit economics (CAC, LTV, payback), path to profitability.
Slide 7: Competition
Competitive landscape (matrix or quadrant). Your differentiation. Never say "no competition."
Slide 8: Team
Photos, names, one-line credentials. Why this team wins. Key advisors if notable.
Slide 9: Financials & Roadmap
Revenue projections (realistic), key milestones, use of funds preview, path to next round.
Slide 10: The Ask
Amount, use of funds breakdown, milestones it unlocks, clear CTA.
**Raising:** $XM [Stage]
**Use of Funds:**
- 50% Product (core features, AI capabilities)
- 30% Go-to-market (sales team, partnerships)
- 20% Operations (support, infrastructure)
**Next step:** 30-minute call to discuss partnership
Writing for Async Reading
Headlines: Bold but complete
Bad: "Traction" (too sparse for async)
Good: "1,000+ Customers, $10M ARR, 10% MoM Growth"
Body text: More context, still scannable
- 2-3 bullet points per section, each a complete thought
- Bold the key phrase, explain after
Data: Always visualize
Charts > Tables > Bullets > Paragraphs
The "Forwardable" Test
If an associate forwards this to a partner with no context, does it make sense?
AI Screening
Modern VC firms use AI to screen decks. Optimize for extraction:
- Clear slide titles matching expected categories
- Metrics in text, not just images
- Consistent formatting so data can be parsed
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| No clear ask | Investors don't know what you want |
| Features over benefits | They care about outcomes, not specs |
| TAM fantasy | "$1T market" without credible math |
| No traction proof | Words without evidence |
| Too many slides | 20+ signals lack of focus |
| No team photos | Feels impersonal, forgettable |
Format Guidelines
- 10 slides ideal, 15 max. Appendix slides clearly separated.
- PDF for sending — under 10MB, named
Company - Stage Deck - Month Year.pdf - High contrast for data visualization, readable at 50% zoom (how VCs often review)
Workflow
- Clarify the raise — stage, amount, use of funds
- Identify traction — what's the strongest proof point?
- Choose framework — Sequoia (story-driven) or YC (traction-driven)
- Draft 10 slides — one idea per slide
- Apply forwardable test — does each slide work standalone?
- Cut ruthlessly — every slide must earn its place