How to Write a Y Combinator Pitch Deck (+Templates)

1) Introduction

The introduction slide is your elevator pitch in visual form.

It should capture the essence of your startup, presenting your company name and a one-liner that encapsulates your value proposition.

For instance, if your startup is a fintech platform simplifying payments for small businesses, your one-liner could be, "Making payments effortless for small businesses worldwide." This sets a clear, impactful tone for what follows.

2) Problem

Detailing the problem involves more than stating the issue; it's about framing the problem in a way that highlights its impact on your target audience.

An effective problem slide makes the issue relatable and urgent, laying a solid foundation for introducing your solution.

For example, "Small businesses struggle with complex payment systems, leading to lost time and revenue."

Use statistics or quotes from real customers to hammer home the problem's prevalence and pain points.

3) Solution

Your solution slide should clearly articulate how your product or service solves the identified problem.

Focus on the benefits and outcomes, avoiding technical jargon.

The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of your solution in straightforward terms.

For example, If your platform automates payment processes, explain, "Our platform turns 10-step payment processes into a single, seamless action, saving businesses an average of 20 hours per month."

4) Traction

Traction is evidence of your startup's market acceptance and growth potential.

This section should highlight key metrics such as user growth, revenue, or significant partnerships, presented in a clear and digestible format.

5) Business model

Explaining your business model is about clarifying how your startup generates revenue.

This section should outline your revenue streams and pricing strategy, demonstrating the sustainability and scalability of your business.

It's crucial to convey the economic logic behind your venture, making it clear how you plan to achieve profitability.

6) Market

Your market analysis should provide a comprehensive overview of your target market and the total addressable market (TAM), backed by data.

This section aims to showcase the market opportunity your startup aims to capture, demonstrating your understanding of the market dynamics and your place within it.

For example, "With 30 million small businesses in the U.S. alone, and an average payment processing fee of $100/month, our TAM stands at $3 billion annually."

7) Team

The team slide is an opportunity to highlight the unique blend of skills, experiences, and passions that make your founding team the right group to tackle the problem.

This section should humanize your venture, showcasing the individuals behind the idea and their commitment to the mission.

8) Financials and ask

Finally, detail your financial projections and the funding you're seeking, including how the funds will be used.

This should be a clear call to action, supported by a logical argument for what the investment will achieve, such as reaching specific milestones or accelerating growth.

1) Introduction

For Series A, the introduction should build on your seed round by highlighting significant achievements and growth since then.

This sets a tone of progress and ambition, crucial for attracting further investment.

2) Traction (Teaser)

Kick off with a bang by showcasing a key achievement or growth metric that highlights your momentum.

This early hook is crucial for capturing and maintaining investor interest.

For example:

"In just 2 years, our fintech platform has revolutionized payment processing for over 5,000 small businesses, reducing their transaction fees by 40% and doubling their payment processing speed.”

3) Problem

Articulate the problem you're solving with precision.

An example of a bad problem statement is:

“Small businesses struggle with financial transactions due to the complex and inefficient payment systems available in the market."

This statement is too vague and doesn't clearly articulate the specific pain points that small businesses face.

A good problem statement is specific and relatable, focusing on the pain points of your target market, such as:

"Small business owners waste an average of 10 hours a week navigating payment systems, often facing high transaction fees that eat into their slim profit margins."

This slide should make the problem feel urgent and necessary to solve.

4) Solution

Describe your solution in direct response to the problem.

This slide should make it clear how your product or service effectively addresses the issue laid out previously.

Use simple language and, if possible, visual aids or demos to illustrate your solution's impact.

5) In-depth traction

At this stage, investors expect a detailed analysis of your traction, including growth metrics, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value.

This section should delve deeper into the data, showcasing your business's scalability and efficiency in capturing market share.

6) Market analysis

Take a closer look at your market with a more detailed analysis.

Show that you understand not just the size of the opportunity but how you're positioned to grab it.

This is about proving you've done your homework and are ready to take on the market with a well-thought-out strategy.

For example, “While the U.S. market offers a $3 billion opportunity, our expansion into Europe and Asia could triple our TAM, capitalizing on less saturated markets."

7) Competitive landscape

Identify your competitors but focus on what makes you stand out.

This is your chance to convince investors that your startup has something special that others don't.

Highlight your unique value proposition and why your solution is not just different, but better.

8) Vision for the future

Share your big vision for the future.

After showing how much you've achieved, now's the time to dream big and show where all this success can take you.

Paint a picture of how your startup can grow into a major player in your industry, inspiring confidence in your long-term potential.

9) Team dynamics

Reflect on how your team has grown and adapted.

A strong team is key to scaling, so highlight the new talent you've brought on board and how your team's evolution positions you for success.

It's about showing that you have the right people to turn your vision into reality.

10) Use of funds

Be clear about how you plan to use the Series A funding.

Link the investment directly to specific growth initiatives, product development, or market expansion plans.

Investors want to know that their money is going towards something that will propel your startup to the next level.