How to Create a Perfect Pitch Deck and Secure Funding for Tech Companies

Turn Your Startup Dreams Into a Reality by Composing the Right Pitch

As the tech industry continues to grow, the need for funding is even more essential for tech startups. Funding makes it possible to turn your ideas into a reality…

…but the process of acquiring funding can be intimidating for any startup.

Where do you start?

Who do you ask for funding?

What do you say?

How do you say it?

Creating the perfect pitch deck can make all the difference in securing funding.

But FIRST, you must decide who you’re pitching to.

5 Sources for Funding Your Tech Startup

There are endless options to get funding for your startup. But here are 5 of the most popular resources to start with:

1. BOOTSTRAP FUNDING

This is when founders contribute their own resources to pay for their startup. It’s usually the first source to consider, because it’s easier to access and doesn’t need approval from investors.

The downside — you resource and pay for your startup yourself. This means that if you don’t have the funds, founders may have to work extra jobs to get enough money to officially launch their business.

2. FRIENDS & FAMILY

Turning to your friends and family is another popular source startups use. This type of funding is especially useful for startups that need less money to get it started.

Funding from friends & family is less structured and comes with limited legal restrictions. With this funding, try to keep your deal as structured as possible to avoid legal issues or future disputes.

3. CROWDFUNDING

Crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter have transformed the way startups raise money. Crowdfunding provides startups with an easy way to get funding from the general public.

This also gives tech companies exposure and immediate funding from a large group of people. And potential customers! BUT crowdfunding comes with legal requirements that you should consider carefully before going down this path for your tech startup.

What are the best crowdfunding platforms for startups?

SeedInvest provides startups with the opportunity to showcase their investment prospects on their platform and can serve as a valuable resource for startups preparing for a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign.

For cryptocurrency and blockchain startups, AngelList is a major hub with over 5,000 active investors on the platform.

Check out the best crowdfunding platforms for 2023.

4. ANGEL INVESTORS

Angel investors are individuals with a high net worth who invest their own money into early-stage startups. Usually investing between $10,000 and $100,000.

Angel Investors look for tech startups that share the same geographic location as them — making it easier for angel investors to mentor and guide tech startup founders. Angel Investors also want to invest in tech companies that have a well-developed product, at least a few established customers, and a well-developed business concept.

Where do you find angel investors?

Gust is a global platform that allows startups to create profiles and pitch their businesses to investors. What’s great about this platform is you can filter investors based on preferences, region, or business sectors.

5. VENTURE CAPITAL

Venture capital firms invest in tech companies that have a good potential to generate a return. The return ranges between 10 and 100 times their initial investment over a specific time — usually between three and seven years.

Venture capital firms invest BIG BUCKS — between $2 million and $10 million per investment.

And they look for startups with a proven track record, a well-developed business concept, and a strong team.

Think of venture capital firms as the big leagues.

Creating the Perfect Pitch Deck

Now that you’ve decided on your funding source and know who you’re pitching to, it’s time to create the perfect pitch deck to woo them!

How will your pitch deck stand out?

Pitching with enthusiasm and passion will make you stand out from other founders and startups. It’s also important to have a clear and compelling pitch. So people understand your business and exactly what you’re asking for.

But how do you make sure your energy comes through in your pitch deck?

Getting Started

Check out these tips and tools for creating a perfect pitch deck to help sell your tech company.

Be Clear, Yet Catchy

One of the most common mistakes founders make is hiding behind abstract concepts and grand ideas. This makes it harder for investors to paint a clear picture of your startup business.

There’s no need to hide behind fancy buzzwords or jargon. Investors are already interested in hearing about your business — they agreed to hear your pitch, didn’t they?

Take 5 minutes to go back to the basics.

Remind yourself…

· Who benefits from your product or service

· What need your startup is solving for your targeted customers

· Where and When you came up with your business

· Why you want to start a business

· How investing in your startup benefits your investors

Once you’ve re-grounded yourself in the basics, you can clearly communicate the following in your pitch deck:

💡 Your startup story — the lightbulb moment

🚶‍♀️ Your vision and path to success — the journey from concept to reality

💰 How you’ll spend the funds from your investors — your need for investors and what they’ll get by investing

Your first slides will set the stage for your pitch. Make sure you make a good first impression with polished copy and your tagline is clear, yet catchy.

Simplifying your slides will also help with clarity. The best pitch decks use one slide per topic… But don’t cram too much information onto a slide either. Shoot for less slides — roughly 10 slides — and make notes for yourself to further explain topics during your presentation.

Compose the Right Pitch for Your Audience

There isn’t a one size fits all pitch deck because your pitch deck will change based on the investors you’re pitching to. And your unique startup, of course.

The key to creating a perfect pitch deck is customizing to specific audiences.

If you’re speaking to a conservative investor — provide more detail.

If you’re speaking to an investor more focused on growth — focus on big-picture goals.

Remember to be empathetic to your audience and respectful of their time. Investors may also be juggling other pitches, and a long pitch is more likely to lose their attention.

It’ll also take time for investors to absorb your pitch, so don’t demand an answer immediately following your pitch. Give potential investors time to think it over and get back to you.

Hire a Copywriter to Write Your Pitch Deck

Marketing not your thing? That’s okay. You can hire a creative technology copywriter. A professional copywriter will help tell your story in a way that resonates with potential investors.

Check out The Copywriter’s Studio for a FREE consult or to view our portfolio. See examples of how we help grow businesses — one word at a time.

Two Pitch Deck Templates to Get You Started

There isn’t one template for successful pitching…

…But here are two great templates to get you started:

• Pitch: You focus on the content — Pitch takes care of your presentation design

• Slidebean: An AI-powered online presentation software that uses design tools to automatically create engaging pitches

Use Engaging Visuals

So now you have a clear and catchy message that speaks to your potential investors… what’s missing?

Visuals.

It’s one thing to paint a picture with words. But using engaging visuals — if done well — can take your pitch to the next level. Visuals make it easier for investors to understand complex data points. And understand more quickly too.

It’s easier to see a picture and derive meaning from it. Much easier than actively listening to a presentation. Or using brainpower to decipher slides by reading into the meaning, context, and value behind these words.

Visuals bring your pitch to life.

And finally, this brings us to our last tip.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is everything when it comes to pitching. Keep rehearsing your pitch until it becomes second nature. Until it’s smooth and you aren’t stumbling over your words or second-guessing yourself.

This is your time to shine.

Bring that passion and energy you created in your pitch deck to your presentation. Instill that same lightbulb moment you had when you first developed your concept, for your potential investors.

This is the start of something magical. This is everything you’ve been working towards.

You can do it!

Growing Your Tech Startup

Securing funding is one of the most important steps in launching and growing any tech startup. While there are no guarantees that securing funding will lead to success, it gives your startup a boost to get off the ground. And grow.

The process of creating a pitch deck and securing funding is also a valuable learning experience.

Interacting with potential investors and honing your pitching skills will help you grow. Personally. Professionally. So, you’ll be ready when your startup takes off.

Thanks for reading ❤

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