17 Lessons Learned from Pitch Deck Revisions for Angel Investor Feedback

Revising a pitch deck could be a daunting process, however it’s a vital step in direction of securing funding. With insights from a founder and a COO, this text sheds mild on essentially the most impactful classes discovered from suggestions by angel buyers. You’ll uncover why it’s important to spell out your secret sauce proper from the beginning and the way illustrating particular, quantifiable milestones could make all of the distinction. Dive into these 17 professional insights that may remodel your pitch and increase your possibilities of success.

Spell Out Your Secret Sauce
Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative
Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story
Pitch in Format Buyers Anticipate
Give attention to What Lands Buyers
Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents
Create an Unattainable-to-Refuse Slide
Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide
Determine Patterns in Suggestions
Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones
Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability
Craft a Compelling Exit Technique
Bridge the Data Hole Successfully
Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise
Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch
Emphasize Unit-Economics
Present Blue-Sky Pondering

Spell Out Your Secret Sauce

When pitching my enterprise, nearly all angel buyers would ask me to clarify my “secret sauce” straight away. 

Right here’s what I added to my pitch in response: once I first obtained eager about productiveness as an idea, I attempted loads of totally different choices on provide to assist folks enhance it, together with productiveness and accountability apps. However nothing appeared the precise match—nobody app appeared to have all of the options I used to be searching for. So, I constructed the platform I wished with my firm, the place expertise, technique, and the human contact come collectively. 

So, my recommendation to others can be the identical: spell out your ‘secret sauce’ to assist buyers know what makes you distinctive and investable.

Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service

Lead With Drawback and Market Alternative

From my expertise working with numerous startups, some of the essential classes I’ve discovered about pitch decks got here from a founder we labored with final yr. The startup had a tremendous AI-powered resolution for supply-chain optimization, however their preliminary pitch deck was drowning in technical specs and sophisticated flowcharts. 

After a number of conferences with angel buyers who appeared to lose curiosity midway by means of, we helped them remodel their deck to guide with the issue and market alternative first. The change was outstanding—as a substitute of opening with their expertise, we began with the $50 billion ache level within the trade, adopted by actual tales from annoyed provide chain managers.

This method instantly grabbed buyers’ consideration as a result of it confirmed we understood what actually mattered to them: the market potential and the burning downside that wanted fixing. The revised deck generated considerably extra investor curiosity, they usually secured their seed spherical inside two months. It taught me that buyers, particularly on the angel stage, care extra in regards to the problem-solution match and market alternative than the technical intricacies of how your product works. Technical particulars nonetheless matter, however they need to assist your story, not be the story itself.

Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Marketing consultant and CEO, spectup

Consider Pitch as Three-Act Story

The one game-changing factor I discovered from our enterprise angel at Wunderlist is that it’s not about any single slide; it’s about story construction.

I used to assume every slide needed to stand alone, however the very best recommendation I obtained was to consider it like a three-act story: set up urgency round the issue, excite across the alternative, and save your heavy ammo, like early traction and partnerships, for the third-act climax.

As soon as we restructured it this fashion, out of the blue, buyers had been leaning ahead of their seats as a substitute of simply politely nodding alongside.

Sebastian Scheerer, Founder & CEO, Superfounder.io

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Pitch in Format Buyers Anticipate

The one lesson that I discovered when revising my pitch deck is that I 100% must pitch within the format buyers count on. In the case of pitching, “Know your viewers” is extraordinarily essential. I just like the framework: Hearts-Minds-Wallets. To create a pitch deck, it makes use of storytelling and a very good (and pretty typical) move.

Additionally, after pitching numerous enterprise proposals prior to now, I’d say that pitching is a talent. Storytelling is a talent. It’s one thing you’ll be able to enhance on. Telling your story is without doubt one of the most essential abilities you want as a founder. There are frameworks (like Hearts-Minds-Wallets) that may legitimately assist.

David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Head, Sticker It

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Give attention to What Lands Buyers

In the case of pitch-deck revisions, I’ve discovered one factor: Each particular person has their very own opinion and choice for what format and content material they need in a pitch deck. The “proper means” is no matter lands you the buyers and companions which are a very good match on your startup. The “flawed means” is each different means.

David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder & Advertising Director, Glide

Keep away from Comparisons to Opponents

One crucial lesson I discovered when revising our pitch deck, based mostly on suggestions from angel buyers, was understanding how comparisons to rivals can influence investor notion. Initially, we believed that highlighting our resolution alongside current market gamers would emphasize the hole we had been filling and showcase how our resolution is totally different. 

Nevertheless, this method really ended up diluting our message, because it inadvertently related us with rivals that buyers seen as poor investments. This made our pitch a lot much less thrilling and took away from the momentum we had been constructing with the remainder of the deck. 

As an alternative of specializing in rivals, we wanted to display how our mannequin was new and why that distinctness would drive longevity and make our firm a robust funding. This shift allowed us to current our resolution as an progressive chief quite than simply one other market participant.

Rob Deming, COO, Price Retriever

Create an Unattainable-to-Refuse Slide

Once I first began pitching, I approached the deck as a narrative, with a starting, center, and an thrilling buildup to essentially the most spectacular a part of the enterprise. I wished to create a story crescendo. Then an angel investor took me apart and informed me that buyers evaluate hundreds of decks and infrequently solely spend just a few seconds per slide. 

As a feminine founder, I additionally acknowledged an extra problem: unconscious biases can generally lead buyers to search for dangers earlier than they see alternatives. This meant I wanted to reframe my method. So, I created what I name an “impossible-to-refuse” slide—a slide full of our greatest stats, metrics, buyer traction, and any “wow” issue that would make an investor sit up and say, “Whoa, that is totally different.” 

Main with this data-driven, high-impact slide was a recreation changer. This method helped to counteract biases and set a assured tone for the remainder of the presentation. It’s one thing many feminine founders may have to think about—usually, we must be irrefutably compelling to get the identical consideration and confidence from buyers.

Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise

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Spotlight Significance of ‘Why Now’ Slide

Understanding the significance of a “Why Now” slide was a game-changer throughout our pitch deck revisions. Angel buyers need to grasp why the enterprise is poised to succeed at this precise second, in search of a mixture of market traits, shifts in expertise, or altering shopper habits. Highlighting this facet will be the tipping level in convincing buyers. 

The premium home-spa market is rising quick, partly resulting from an elevated concentrate on dwelling wellness and the continuing pattern towards dwelling upgrades. Persons are prepared to take a position extra in private wellness areas, particularly as distant work and home-centered existence develop. This pattern makes now the right time for a model providing distinctive, high-end outside luxuries.

Leveraging the “SOAR” framework can strengthen the effectiveness of the “Why Now” slide. Begin with Strengths that the enterprise brings to this chance. Observe with Alternatives that exist resulting from present market dynamics. Articulate particular Aspirations your enterprise seeks to satisfy by capturing this chance right this moment. Wrap up with Outcomes your enterprise goals to realize by appearing now. 

Structuring this slide with SOAR presents buyers a logical and compelling purpose to imagine within the timeliness and potential of your enterprise, successfully demonstrating anticipation of future success.

Andrei Newman, Founder, Casa Blui

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Determine Patterns in Suggestions

One of many greatest classes I discovered from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is you could’t over-rotate based mostly on each single remark. It’s straightforward to get caught up in making an attempt to please everybody, however that’s a recipe for catastrophe. As an alternative, it is advisable to pay attention rigorously and establish patterns within the suggestions.

After just a few pitches, you begin to discover which components of your presentation actually resonate with buyers. Their eyes mild up, they lean in, they usually ask insightful questions. Pay shut consideration to these moments and the people who find themselves genuinely engaged. These are the indicators that let you know what’s working and the place to focus your consideration.

In the end, your pitch deck ought to inform a compelling story that captures the essence of your enterprise and its potential. By rigorously contemplating suggestions and figuring out the areas that actually resonate with buyers, you’ll be able to refine your pitch and improve your possibilities of success.

JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance

Illustrate Particular, Quantifiable Milestones

My greatest takeaway from updating my pitch deck because of receiving suggestions from angel buyers was the way it helped illustrate particular, quantifiable milestones as a substitute of obscure metrics about progress. Buyers wanted route, however not simply within the type of projected income or market share.

They wanted very clear, measurable, time-based steps that clearly outlined how we’d proceed from one part to the following, akin to hitting sure technical milestones, customer-adoption targets, or partnerships that will unlock the following part of progress. They realized that they wanted a roadmap that was each grand and extremely practical and based mostly on precise indices of success. So I edited the deck to only embrace these actions and provides a extra centered, step-by-step image of our subsequent transfer.

And that modified the way in which they perceived our potential; they weren’t simply investing in a giant concept however in a method they may see coming into actuality. It’s one factor to say develop, but when I gave specificity about what progress was at every stage, it informed them we’d really laid out our plan and weren’t making ethereal assumptions.

Thomas Franklin, CEO, Swapped

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Simplify Complicated Concepts for Readability

Revising a pitch deck based mostly on suggestions from angel buyers could be a transformative expertise. One important lesson discovered is the significance of readability in speaking your imaginative and prescient. Buyers admire easy narratives that articulate your enterprise’s function and potential. When suggestions highlighted areas of confusion, it grew to become clear that simplifying complicated concepts and specializing in core messages was important.

One other essential perception is the worth of tailoring the pitch to the viewers. Buyers usually have totally different pursuits and priorities, so adjusting the pitch to align with their particular targets can improve engagement. This method not solely makes the presentation extra related but additionally demonstrates an understanding of the buyers’ views.

Suggestions additionally underscored the necessity to emphasize the issue your enterprise solves. Buyers need to see a transparent connection between the market want and your resolution. Reinforcing this connection could make your pitch extra compelling and present that you’re not simply promoting a product however addressing an actual problem available in the market.

Total, these classes spotlight that suggestions is a useful device for refining your pitch. Listening to buyers and making changes based mostly on their enter can result in a simpler presentation that resonates with potential backers.

Ramzy Humsi, Founder & CEO, Vortex Ranker

Craft a Compelling Exit Technique

Crafting a compelling exit technique is essential in attracting and assuring angel buyers. Buyers need to know not solely in regards to the improvements you deliver but additionally when and the way they’ll see returns. A well-defined exit technique highlights potential acquisition targets, merger alternatives, or IPO prospects. Consider it like a roadmap exhibiting the place the enterprise is heading, which reassures buyers that you just’ve thought-about their future pursuits.

Use the “3 Ps” framework: Potential Patrons, Profitability Pathway, and Deliberate Timeframe. Determine firms which may profit from buying your enterprise; these are your potential consumers. Clearly define how the enterprise will develop to change into engaging to those potential acquirers. Present a logical timeline for if you count on the enterprise to be prepared for an exit. Incorporating the “3 Ps” not solely demonstrates strategic considering but additionally will increase investor confidence, mitigating their threat and exhibiting that you just’re in it for the lengthy haul.

Jean Chen, COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy

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Bridge the Data Hole Successfully

One main lesson from revising the pitch deck based mostly on angel investor suggestions was discovering how you can bridge the data hole in a means that’s each partaking and persuasive. Once we initially pitched our firm, we’d dive straight into explaining the user-generated content material (UGC) mannequin and why it’s the long run. However with UGC being comparatively unknown to many buyers, it was clear that this method didn’t seize consideration or convey the chance we noticed on this area. 

The suggestions actually helped us see the significance of “present, don’t inform.” So we made the opening extra dynamic and visually wealthy, leaning into short-form content material since, as a UGC-focused startup, we all know this medium properly. As an alternative of an ordinary rationalization, we launched UGC with a short-form model overview—fast, visible, and interesting. This method instantly put us in our ingredient, and the extra entertaining tone made it simpler for buyers to understand the UGC idea and, crucially, see its potential. 

By the point we’d applied this, the tone of our shows had shifted noticeably. As an alternative of getting caught in a “that is what UGC is” loop, we discovered buyers asking extra related questions, indicating they “obtained it” and had been inquisitive about subsequent steps. This transformation led to extra follow-ups and productive discussions, which felt like a win-win. In essence, we discovered that if you happen to’re pioneering in a distinct segment, it’s essential to introduce it in a means that feels accessible and charming—particularly if it means assembly buyers on acquainted floor whereas showcasing your experience.

Yannick Habraken, Founder / CMO, Hyred

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Showcase Management Staff’s Expertise

Most pitch decks are very complete across the merchandise/worth proposition, applied sciences, market alternative, income mannequin/profitability, operations & scalability, capital planning, and many others. Nevertheless, angel buyers, specifically, have usually already evaluated most of that and wouldn’t even be chatting with you with out the above. 

As an alternative, what they’re usually most eager about is YOU and the management staff! Make sure to display your staff’s well-rounded expertise and abilities and, extra importantly, your function/ardour (your “why”), values, attitudes, and work ethic. Angel buyers are investing in YOU and the management staff far more than the merchandise/providers and applied sciences.

Joe Palmer, Managing Accomplice, Prosperity Companions Consulting, Inc.

Readability Sells, Simplify Your Pitch

One key lesson from revising my pitch deck after suggestions from angel buyers is that readability sells. I packed it with knowledge, considering it might present my preparedness. As an alternative, buyers wished simplicity—clear, impactful insights with out the muddle.

One investor put it bluntly: “We don’t must see every thing ; we have to see that what issues.”

So, I trimmed down the slides, focusing solely on the story that highlighted our distinctive edge, the market’s actual ache factors, and our scalable resolution. I discovered to current numbers in a means that feels intuitive, telling a story as a substitute of itemizing stats.

The distinction was rapid. Buyers leaned in, engaged, asking higher questions. The pitch grew to become a dialog, not a lecture, and, in the end, it resonated as a result of it was exact and memorable.

John Beaver, Founder, Desky

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Emphasize Unit-Economics

A invaluable lesson I discovered from revising my pitch deck after angel buyers’ suggestions was the significance of emphasizing unit-economics. Buyers want to know the monetary sustainability of the enterprise, so I made certain to incorporate important metrics like buyer acquisition value (CAC) and lifelong worth (LTV). These figures helped make clear how we might develop profitably and confirmed that the enterprise mannequin is scalable and sustainable in the long run.

Together with these metrics gave the deck extra credibility, making the funding alternative extra compelling. It additionally allowed buyers to see a transparent path to profitability, growing their confidence within the enterprise.

Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Price Monetary

Present Blue-Sky Pondering

Once I was elevating a pre-seed spherical, the recurring query from angels and VCs was in regards to the sustainability of the enterprise and the way clients will change into recurring contemplating the character of the enterprise, a.ok.a. AI headshots, which is a 12-month recurring want quite than one thing a consumer wants each week.

And whereas I’ve had knowledge to showcase that 27% of our clients had been returning each month to generate private branding content material for his or her social media, I understood that this in itself was not a large enough problem I used to be fixing and that my considering wanted to go a lot larger.

I revised my pitch deck to indicate blue-sky considering—to indicate buyers that this product might develop right into a billion-dollar concept. I drafted up a roadmap that included an AI advertising and marketing product roadmap that I shortly validated by getting early signups from just a few enterprise shoppers that had been already utilizing us for his or her staff AI headshots.

This revision helped me get consideration from heavyweight VCs, which I in the end declined. 

Adriana Lica, CoFounder, Attempt it on AI

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