1. Dear Entrepreneur,
This template is meant to serve as a starting point as you build your pitch deck.
As you develop the content of your slides, you will also need to add an engaging design and adjust the layouts and headings here as appropriate. Remember to use striking images and avoid putting too much text on any one slide for maximum impact.
Tips for each topic are included in the “Notes” section below each slide, with page citations so you can easily refer to your book for more guidance.
We wish you all the best as you pitch company!
Sincerely,
SAGE Publishing

2. Name of Company Logo Name Founder & CEO
Title Slide
The title slide should include the name of the company, logo, your name, and contact information.
Read more on page 476 of your book.
Name Founder & CEO
Contact Information

3. Company Purpose
{Company} is ____________________ for _______________ that _________________.
{Company} sells ______________________ to ______________________ in order to ____________.
Company Purpose/Description
The purpose or vision slide is a quick overview of your company. Why does your company exist? Develop one sentence that describes what your company does.
Read more on page 477 of your book.
Name and Company Name

4. Customers’ #1 Problem
How are you addressing the need, and how do other companies fall short of addressing the problem?
The Problem/Need
Describe the problem that your company is solving or how you are addressing a customer need. Additionally, you should describe how the problem is currently being solved by other companies, and point out any inefficiencies in how it is being solved, or why the existing solutions are insufficient.
Read more on pages of your book.
Name and Company Name

5. Solution/Value Proposition
The Solution
Don’t just type the solution on a slide. If possible offer a live demonstration. If the product or service is not yet fully developed, show a prototype or a picture of a prototype. If the solution is web-based, a mockup landing page is a must.
Read more on page 478 of your book.
Name and Company Name

6. Why Now? Note market trends and changes Why Now?
There is a window of opportunity for many new ventures. You need to convince your audience that the time is now for your new product or service. This means pointing out trends or changes that prove that your company is timely.
Read more on page of your book.
Name and Company Name

7. The Market
Note the total market size, target market size, and the market share your company can realistically achieve.
Market Opportunity
The solution is powerful only if there is a market of customers willing to pay for the product or service. Think through:
TAM (Total Available Market): the total market demand for a product or service.
SAM (Serviceable Available Market): the section of the TAM that your product or service intends to target.
SOM (Share of Market): the portion of SAM that your company is realistically likely to reach.
Read more on pages of your book.
Name and Company Name

8. Customers Who are they? How do you reach them?
How will you keep them coming back?
Getting Customers
After depicting the market size and showing the target market, it is essential that you demonstrate an understanding of your customers—who they are and how you will reach them. This is where you talk about your interactions with customers and what you have learned about them during the planning process. Additionally, you need to articulate what customers are willing to pay, and how you intend to keep them coming back.
Read more on page 482 of your book.
Name and Company Name

9. Competitive Grid Competitor A B C Offerings Service Prices
Retail Prices
Location
Expertise
Service
Turnover
Capacity
Client Base
Competitor Analysis & Differentiation
The competitor analysis shows how your company differentiates itself from others providing similar solutions, or how it has carved out a unique space that fulfills unmet needs.
Read more on page
Name and Company Name

10. Competitive Grid Premium Price Basic Luxury Low Price
Competitor Analysis & Differentiation
The competitor analysis shows how your company differentiates itself from others providing similar solutions, or how it has carved out a unique space that fulfills unmet needs.
Read more on page
Low Price
Name and Company Name

11. Milestones Achieved Looking Ahead Traction
Traction describes all the work you’ve done to date to build your venture. Your audience, especially investors, want to see the actions you have taken to construct your venture and the milestones you have achieved. You could also include your future milestones or planned next steps.
Read more on page 485 of your book.
Name and Company Name

12. X% $X Million Financials GROSS PROFIT PROFIT MARGIN YEAR 3 Year 1
Revenue $
Expenses
Gross Profit
SG&A
Net Proft X%
GROSS
PROFIT MARGIN
Financials
Your financials need to demonstrate that you have a clear understanding of potential profit and loss. It’s important to highlight the key drivers of revenue and expenses, but keep it at the highest levels for now, showing only the first three years of revenue projections.
Read more on page 486 of your book.
$X Million
PROFIT
YEAR 3
Name and Company Name

13. Combined experience or key team dynamic
Name
Title
Education
Experience
Name
Title
Education
Experience
Name
Title
Education
Experience
Team
The team slide should include a list of all team members, providing photos, their experience, and education. If you have a board of advisors, then include those names as well.
Read more on pages of your book.
Combined experience or key team dynamic
Name and Company Name

14. Use of Funds SEED CAPITAL USE AMOUNT TIMELINE Marketing Spend
12 months
Social Media Ads
$40,000
Sampling
$30,000
TOTAL
$70,000
Salaries
CEO
$50,000
CMO
$100,000
Product & Delivery
Products
$20,000
Packing & Fulfilment
$60,000
$80,000
REQUIREMENT
$250,000
Call to Action
What you ask for depends on your audience. Be specific in what you are looking for. The bottom line is: don’t ever pitch without asking for something at the end, because you could be missing a major opportunity.
Read more on page 488 of your book.
Name and Company Name