Ops Playbook #52

Hi Operators ⚙️

Ah, the pitch deck – slides meant to transform your brilliant idea into cold, hard cash.

It's like a high-stakes "Show and Tell," and everyone has an opinion on the right way to do it.

One minute you're crafting the perfect deck, the next you're drowning in conflicting advice.

“Simplify it!”

"No, make it stand out!"

“Tell a story!”

"Just stick to the numbers!"

Makes you want to chuck your laptop and start a lemonade stand instead 🍋

But don’t worry! This week, we’re diving into the world of fundraising.

We'll cover everything from avoiding common pitch deck pitfalls to stalking (ahem, I mean "researching") the perfect investor for your startup.

Here's what we've got on deck (pun absolutely intended):

• Crafting an Eye-Catching Pitch Deck → How to make your pitch deck stand out

• 6 Pitch Deck Pitfalls → 6 mistakes that'll sink your startup

• Finding the Right Investor → Finding the right investor (without feeling like a gold digger)

Ready to turn that pitch deck into a money magnet? Let's get started 👇

P.S. Building a business can be lonely. Let’s connect on Linkedin

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Operator’s Library

• Want proof you’re overthinking your deck? Just look at what YouTube used to raise their seed round (Alexander Jarvis)

• Web-based content experiences are the modern pitch decks (Foleon)

• What investors want in a pitch deck (Parati Insider)

• Create a one-pager to quickly attract investors’ attention if you’re finding it difficult to schedule meetings (Visme).

• When pitching your product, focus on the end-user benefit, not the tech (Peter Yang)

I. Crafting an Eye-Catching Pitch Deck

Insight from JDJ Creative

VCs can be tough customers.

They spend a whopping average of 2 minutes and 42 seconds reviewing pitch decks.

No pressure, right? 😅

Don’t stress. We’ve got the secret sauce to make those 162 seconds count.

It's all about telling your story visually. Let's break it down:

1. The 10/20/30 Rule: It's the holy trinity of pitch decks. 10 slides, 20-minute max presentation, and a font size that won't make your audience squint (30+ is a safe bet).

2. Bookend Like a Badass: Your first and last slides are prime real estate. For the cover slide, slap on that logo, craft a killer one-liner, and an inspirational image (no cheesy stock photos, please 🙏). Choose fonts that scream "read me!" over "I'm so fancy." The final slide stays up during Q&A, so make it count.

3. Keep it Simple: For charts, use clear labels, curate your data, and tell a story. Stick to 1-2 fonts and brand colors. Consistency is key. And don't forget visual hierarchy – highlight the MVP (Most Valuable Point) on each slide.

Learn more: Y Combinator’s guide to designing pitch decks

II. 6 Common Pitch Deck Pitfalls

Insight from Mark Birch

Crafting the perfect pitch deck is about what you leave out as much as what you put in.

It's like packing for a trip – you want to bring the essentials, not your entire wardrobe.

Let's unpack the "don'ts" of pitch decks 👇

Learn more: 7 more pitch deck mistakes and how to avoid them

III. Finding the Right Investor

Insight from MARS

You've got a world-changing idea, a killer team, and enough caffeine in your system to power a small city. Now all you need is that sweet, sweet funding.But hold your horses, Zuck Jr.

Finding the right investor is like finding the perfect avocado – it's all about timing, feel, and luck.

How do you navigate the process? Let's break it down:

• Stalk smart on LinkedIn: Use advanced filters to find investors in your industry. Search for keywords like "venture capital" or "angel investor" plus your sector (e.g., "fintech," "SaaS"). Bonus points if you find a mutual connection for a warm intro.

• Tailor your request to your stage: Seeking seed funding? Target angels or micro VCs with $25K-$500K check sizes. Series A? Look for firms comfortable leading rounds of $1M-$5M. Match your pitch to their investment range.

• Leverage local ecosystems: Attend startup events, join co-working spaces, or apply to local accelerators. Many cities have startup-focused Slack channels or meetup groups – start networking.

• Create a targeted investor wishlist: Build a spreadsheet with 20-30 potential investors, including their focus areas, recent investments, check sizes, and mutual connections. Prioritize your top 10 to approach first.

Here are top resources/tools to kick-start your search:

• AngelList

• Pitchbook

• NFX Signals

• Crunchbase

Remember, finding the right investor is about fit as much as funds.

Do your homework, be strategic, and don't be afraid to walk away if it doesn't feel right.

Learn more: How to find investors

How am I doing? 👋

I take all feedback I receive to heart. Keep it coming! Just hit reply and let me know – I'd love to hear from you!

Cheers,

Rameel from The Bottleneck

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