1% of Pitch Decks Succeed—Here’s Why

Read time: 2 min

Only 1% of startups land venture capital.

It’s not because their ideas are bad.

It’s because their decks don’t connect.

Investors don’t just want numbers.

They want a story.

That’s it. All they need is freaking good storytellers.

And when that happens? Madness.

VCs hyping each other. FOMO in full swing. Angels battling over what’s left of the round.

It happened to one of our investments this week.

So how do you make it happen for you?

The Slides Investors Need to See

Sequoia Capital cracked the code.

They’ve identified 9 must-have slides every winning deck needs:

1. Purpose: Why does your company exist? Nail it in one bold sentence.
2. Problem: Make them feel the pain you’re solving.
3. Solution: Show why your vision is the answer—clear, bold, inevitable.
4. Why Now: Prove this is the moment to strike. Timing is everything.
5. Market: Map it. Prove you know its size, potential, and dynamics.
6. Competition: Be honest. Then show why you’re the clear standout.
7. Product: Reveal the masterpiece. Why is it a game-changer?
8. Business Model: Keep it simple. How will you make money?
9. Team: Highlight the architects. Show they’re ready to execute.

Why It Works

This isn’t just a checklist.

It’s a narrative—a story where every slide pulls investors deeper into your vision.

Start with why. End with how.

And in between? Make them feel.

The urgency of the problem. The brilliance of the solution. The size of the opportunity.

Each slide isn’t just data—it’s trust, momentum, and connection.

The Little Secret Weapon

Struggling to craft a killer deck?

Check out Storypitch, the AI-powered tool that combines storytelling magic with a ‘human-enhanced’ interface.

It’s ideal for climate tech founders with great ideas but missing that touch of magic 🪄

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👉 Want to place Angel tickets in unique Climate startups with top-dog investors? Climate Insiders is closing 2 deals right now whose stories will for sure excite you.

Just reply to this message and I’ll share more details.

Yoann Berno