Ten slides: problem, solution, product, traction, market, business model, competition, team, plan, ask. At pre-seed, the team, the insight and early evidence carry the deck. Use real screenshots, one message per slide, and numbers with dates. Remove anything that does not reduce an investor's uncertainty.
- One message per slide, written as the slide title.
- At pre-seed, team and insight matter more than projections.
- Use product screenshots, not mock-ups.
- Date every metric.
- The ask slide should show what the money achieves, not just the amount.
What goes on each slide?
| # | Slide | What it must answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Problem | Who has it, how often, what it costs them |
| 2 | Solution | What you do differently, in one sentence |
| 3 | Product | Real screens; what a user does in the first minute |
| 4 | Traction | Usage, retention, revenue or demand evidence, dated |
| 5 | Market | Who you can actually reach first, then the bigger picture |
| 6 | Business model | Who pays, how much, how often |
| 7 | Competition | Honest alternatives and why you win |
| 8 | Team | Why this team, with relevant past work |
| 9 | Plan | Milestones for the next 12–18 months |
| 10 | Ask | Amount, instrument and what it buys |
What mistakes cost meetings?
- Top-down market sizes with no path to customers.
- "No competition."
- Five-year projections at pre-seed.
- Metrics without dates or definitions.
- A team slide listing titles but not achievements.
How is a seed deck different?
A seed deck leads with numbers: cohorts, revenue growth, channels. See pre-seed vs seed. For what counts as traction before revenue, see nine traction metrics. Pair the deck with a 60-second video and a simple data room.
How should each slide look?
- Title as the message. "Logistics teams lose 6 hours a week reconciling invoices" beats "Problem".
- One visual per slide: a chart, a screenshot or a short table.
- Large text that reads on a phone; many investors review decks on mobile.
- Numbers with dates and sources.
What does a strong traction slide look like at pre-seed?
Show one chart of weekly active users or retention over time, two or three supporting numbers (activation, pilots, organic share), and one customer quote. Avoid cumulative charts. If you are pre-product, show demand evidence: waitlist conversion, letters of intent with named companies, or paid pilots. See nine metrics that count before revenue.
What does a strong ask slide look like?
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Amount and instrument | "Raising a pre-seed on a post-money SAFE" |
| What it buys | "18 months to launch, 2,000 weekly active teams and first revenue" |
| Use of funds | Simple split: product, growth, team, buffer |
| Milestones | 3–4 dated milestones |
Should you send the deck before the meeting?
Many founders send a short version (8–10 slides) before the first meeting and present a fuller one during it. A 60-second video often works better than a deck as a first touch. See how to record a pitch video.
Frequently asked questions
How many slides should a pre-seed deck have?
Around 10–12 slides is common.
Should a pre-seed deck include financial projections?
A simple 12–18 month plan with milestones is more useful than detailed multi-year projections.
What is the most important slide at pre-seed?
Usually the team and traction slides, because they show why you can win and that demand exists.
Should the ask slide include valuation?
Many founders show the amount and instrument and discuss the cap in meetings.
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Educational material, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules and figures change; confirm with qualified counsel or a tax adviser in your jurisdiction before acting. Last updated October 6, 2026.