What each slide has to prove
Problem
Prove the pain is real and specific. Name who has it and what it costs them, in words a stranger would understand on the first read.
Solution
Show what the product does in one plain sentence and one picture, then the benefit it brings. A product screen often says more than a paragraph.
Traction
Prove people want it. Make the numbers clear and meaningful, and if there is no revenue yet, lead with the best early signal you have.
Market and business model
Prove the business can grow large and make money. One honest market figure and a clear line on how you charge do more than a crowded chart.
Competition
Prove you know the field. Guy Kawasaki's list of 10 topics includes competition, so show the alternatives and say plainly why you win.
Team and the ask
Prove these founders fit this problem, then say how much you need and what it gets you. The YC seed template ends on the ask.
How many slides is right
About 10 is a good target. Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 rule asks for 10 slides in 20 minutes, and the YC seed template has a similar number of sections, with no section longer than 3 slides.
How my decks handle it
The Earworm deck had to fit a wide business into a few slides, so I kept one idea per slide and used bold type and focused layouts on the moments that carry the pitch. The full deck is in the Earworm investor deck case.
The Nike Mind concept, an unofficial deck not affiliated with Nike, runs a similar order, from the problem to why now and then the route to market. For a deck of your own, see pitch deck design.
