To secure funding, startups have to be able to convey valuable information about their startup to potential investors. This is typically done, in part, by a pitch deck, a slideshow presentation that communicates information about the company in an easily digestible but still impactful way.
One of the best ways to start developing a pitch deck of your own is to derive inspiration from other companies that have successfully used pitch decks to secure funding. These are examples of the best startup pitch decks that have gotten companies funded.
Best Pitch Decks From Successful Companies
A startup pitch deck is a slideshow of information about your startup. Information commonly includes mission and vision, the problem your startup is solving, market opportunity, what your product or service is, estimated or current traction and revenue, and information about yourself and your team.
In order to secure funding for your startup, you have to pitch to investors. Your pitch deck is integral to ensuring investors know what your startup is about and why they should invest in it. Therefore, it is important to create an impactful pitch deck to convey the value of your business to potential investors. These are some examples of pitch decks that got startups funded.
1. Buffer
Buffer’s 2011 seed round pitch deck may not be the sleekest looking today. However, this pitch deck helped Buffer raise a $500,000 seed round. It is simple, providing crucial information in an accessible way without sacrificing valuable context, and the startup tactfully includes validation from the industry forecasting as well as consumers.
The deck begins with quotes from recognizable sources in the industry, paving the way for Buffer to be a solution to an estimated change in the SEO social media landscape. Traction is conveyed clearly and effectively to show this is a proven concept.
2. WeWork
WeWork, the infamous coworking company, raised $335 million for their Series E using this pitch deck. At 36 slides, it conveys an extensive amount of information about the company, its customers, and the opportunity for massive growth. Plus, it is all put together in a well-crafted, easy-to-understand format with graphs, statistics, and scannable text.
WeWork’s pitch deck does a great job of sharing valuable data so that it is easily understood, such as their representation below of the market size.
You can also see that each slide leads into the next, denoted by the title beginning with “And,” which makes the presentation feel seamless and the information easy to absorb.
3. Tinder (Formerly MatchBox)
Originally named MatchBox, one of Tinder’s early-stage pitch decks does a great job of using humor and reliability to convey the goal, use case, and necessity of the product.
The pitch deck begins with an introduction to a customer named Matt and a relatable story about fear of rejection. The startup then poses its product as the solution to this problem while giving a visual of the app, giving context to the type of product it is without specifying directly.
4. BuzzFeed
In 2008, BuzzFeed, a wildly popular digital media website, utilized a pitch deck to convey to potential investors the innovative optimizations planned for the website, including advertisements as content, trend targeting, custom promotion, and user-generated content. With this pitch deck, BuzzFeed was able to secure $3.5 million in funding for their Series A.
In the deck, they include a precursor to a visual on their ‘ads as content’ concept using examples of what competitors are doing that are the opposite. Then in the next slide it is clearly shown how Buzzfeed will seamlessly integrate ads into content in comparison to the competitors on the previous slide.
5. Aircall
Aircall is a business phone and communication platform that consolidates different phone service capabilities into one easy-to-use interface. In their 2020 pitch deck, the startup includes a grabbing first slide, a simple breakdown of the pain point, how the product solves it, and then how the product has been validated through customer retention statistics.
The first slide is the startup’s mission that hooks the viewer immediately with the concept of replacing phone systems. The deck also provides an easy-to-digest visual of how the product works as well as how it is solving a pain point in the industry.
6. Farewill
Farewill is a tech service that is on a mission to change end-of-life processes to be easier, cheaper, and less painful. The startup’s Series B pitch deck from the year 2020 masterfully conveyed the startup’s mission, why it is an important pain point to solve, and the market opportunity available.
The startup offers a clear comparison of its business model with well-known brands like Netflix and demonstrates the success they have already achieved – all in a super digestible, aesthetically pleasing presentation.
Farewill’s pitch deck starts on a striking (if not melancholy) note that immediately grabs the attention of the viewer while also conveying the startup industry. The deck also portrays the vast market opportunities, highlighting the obtainable market and potential in a happy, bright yellow, making it feel exciting to the viewer.
7. 1906
The imagery of 1906’s Series A pitch deck is possibly the most ingenious part. By utilizing sleek and stylish colors and images, it conveys that this is a chicer version of the traditional cannabis product. This choice reinforces the message that 1906 is disrupting the cannabis industry to provide a more functional product that breaks the preconceptions about cannabis products.
The pitch deck lays out not only how 1906 is different but also the untapped market opportunity. Toward the end of the presentation, the startup offers a simplified summary of the presentation, providing a digestible reminder of the value of their product and team.
8. Crunchbase
Crunchbase’s 2019 pitch deck communicates a lot of important information to potential investors in only thirteen slides. Within the deck, the startup does an excellent job at denoting the urgency of the pain point they are solving while also showcasing a stand-out, capable founding team and existing investment by credible sources that believe in the product.
The deck indicates market opportunity immediately with striking graphics and impactful statistics to enforce the claims. Towards the end, it shares the team behind Crunchbase, including their previous roles and existing investors, conveying that this team is capable of executing the vision.