Pitch Deck: What It Is, Slides to Include and Examples
By Hal Sheef, Senior Business Plan Consultant · Updated 2026-10-24 · Written by the team at Business Plan Writers USA
Quick answer
A pitch deck is a short slide presentation, usually 10 to 15 slides, that founders use to explain their business to investors. It covers the problem, solution, market, business model, traction, team, financials and the amount being raised.
The 12 slides investors expect
| # | Slide | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Title | Company name, one-line description |
| 2 | Problem | The pain your customer feels |
| 3 | Solution | How you solve it |
| 4 | Why now | The trend that makes this the right moment |
| 5 | Market size | TAM, SAM and SOM |
| 6 | Product | Screenshots or photos |
| 7 | Business model | How you make money |
| 8 | Traction | Revenue, users, partnerships |
| 9 | Competition | Positioning versus alternatives |
| 10 | Team | Why you can execute |
| 11 | Financials | 3 to 5 year summary |
| 12 | The ask | Amount raised and use of funds |
What the Airbnb pitch deck got right
The lesson: clarity beats design. Each slide made one point a busy investor could grasp in seconds.
- Problem and solution each stated in one sentence.
- Market size shown as three simple numbers.
- A clear revenue model: a percentage commission on each booking.
- A specific ask tied to 12 months of milestones.
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Pitch deck vs business plan
| Pitch deck | Business plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 10 to 15 slides | 20 to 50 pages |
| Goal | Get a meeting | Support due diligence |
| Detail | Headlines and visuals | Full research and financials |
Design tips for any tool (Canva, PowerPoint, Google Slides)
- One idea per slide, large type, minimal text.
- Use real product images or screenshots.
- Keep charts simple and label the units.
- Make sure the numbers match your business plan exactly.
Frequently asked questions
How many slides should a pitch deck have?
Ten to fifteen. Investors usually spend only a few minutes on a first read.
Do I need a business plan if I have a pitch deck?
Usually yes. The deck gets attention; serious investors ask for the full plan and financial model during due diligence.
Can MOVTOUSA create my pitch deck?
Yes. Our Business Plan + Investor Deck tier includes a professionally written plan and a matching investor deck.
Want a professionally written business plan instead?
1,100+ plans created. Four fixed-price tiers from $1,200, $500 upfront and the balance due upon delivery.
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