I've seen a lot of pitch decks. Here's what I'm actually looking at when one lands in my inbox.
The look matters
The first glance at your pitch deck tells me whether you mean business. Does it look professional, or is it cluttered with rudimentary bullet points, low-resolution graphs, or AI-generated cartoons? Are you proud of how it looks? First impressions carry more weight than founders often realize.
How many slides?
My heart sinks when I see 20+ slides. It's a pitch, not a data dump or a research thesis. It has to grab people's attention right away. Don't spend five slides on market size and another ten on data — introduce your product before people lose interest. You'll have time to explain everything in detail during due diligence, if the pitch deck does its job.
Don't skip the science
Yes, the pitch deck should be brief. But I need to be convinced there's a real product and that you have a moat. Show me the key data so I know it's not just a concept.
Do your homework — because I will do mine
Do you have a competition slide? How did you arrive at your exit comps? Is the revenue trajectory in year one after your medical device launches actually realistic? Is your clinical timeline grounded in reality? Show me a strategy and roadmap based on concrete research. Respect your audience and do the homework.
Be honest
There is nothing that makes me exit a conversation faster than spotting a misrepresentation. Don't oversell, don't obscure weaknesses, and don't hope I won't notice. I will notice.
Stay open to feedback
If investors give you feedback, receive it with an open heart — don't be defensive. Your goal isn't just getting the next check written. Feedback is often a gift, and far more valuable than fool's money.