The first page of a pitch deck is arguably the most important, as it sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. This page should quickly communicate what the company does, the problem it solves, and why investors should care. Here are some key elements to include on the first pitch deck page:
Company Name and Logo
Include the company name and logo prominently at the top of the page. This allows investors to immediately identify the company. The logo should be clean, simple, and convey the company’s brand. Under the logo, include the company name in a large, bold font.
The Title of the Deck
Below the company name, include a short, catchy title for the deck, such as “Series A Funding Deck.” This title should capture the purpose of the pitch.
Problem Statement
Succinctly explain the major problem your company is solving in 1-2 sentences. This statement should resonate with investors and get them nodding along. For example, “There is no consolidated platform for freelance workers to manage their business, leading to lost time and revenue.”
Solution
Follow the problem statement with a brief explanation of your solution in 1-2 sentences. Focus on what you’re providing, not how. For example, “Freelancr is an integrated platform for freelancers to track jobs, invoice clients, collect payments, and manage their business.”
Value Proposition
Explain why your solution is valuable to customers in 1-2 concise sentences. Quantify the benefit if possible. For example, “Freelancr increases average freelancer productivity by 20% by streamlining business operations.”
Target Market
Identify the specific target customer segment you are initially focusing on. Be as narrow as possible. For example, “Freelancr is targeted to US-based freelance web developers with 5-20 active clients.”
Traction/Metrics
Provide 1-2 impressive metrics that showcase traction and demand for your product. For example, “Freelancr has 3,000 active users and is growing 30% month over month.”
Competition
Name 1-2 direct competitors and explain how you differentiate yourself in 1-2 sentences. Don’t say you have no competition. For example, “Unlike Fiverr, Freelancr provides an integrated end-to-end platform to run every aspect of a freelance business.”
The Ask
Explicitly state how much funding you are seeking to raise and what it will be used for. Be specific on numbers. For example, “Freelancr is seeking a $2 million Series A to scale our marketing efforts and build out our payments infrastructure.”
Visuals
The first page should be visually simple and uncluttered. Include only 1-2 supporting visuals like:
- A screenshot of your product
- A chart highlighting your traction
- An infographic of the target customer
Avoid blocks of dense text. Let key data, metrics, and concise statements shine through.
Conclusion
The first page of a pitch deck sets the entire tone and narrative for your business. It only has seconds to grab an investor’s attention. Ensure it clearly communicates your company’s purpose, product, market, traction, team, and funding needs at a glance. Get this page right, and your entire deck will start off on the right foot.
Here are some examples of effective first pitch deck pages:
Company | Problem Statement | Solution | Target Market | Traction | Competition | The Ask |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Uber | Hailing a taxi is frustrating and inefficient | On-demand car service through a mobile app | People in urban areas needing a ride | Growing 30% MoM | Traditional taxi services | $1.5M seed round |
Airbnb | Booking travel accommodations is a hassle | Online marketplace for short-term housing rentals | Travelers looking for cheap accommodations | Listings in 34K cities globally | Hotels, hostels | $600K seed funding |
Notice how these leading startups clearly communicated their key elements on the first page. Your pitch deck should follow a similar format tailored to your unique business.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid on the first page of your pitch deck:
- Listing your entire founding team and advisory board (that comes later)
- Inserting your company’s full mission statement and history
- Using confusing industry jargon that needs explaining
- Featuring walls of dense text without visuals
- Making exaggerated claims that can’t be backed up
- Talking about future products still in development
- Bringing up weaknesses or risks in your business
The first pitch deck page is all about putting your best foot forward. You want investors to turn the page and learn more, not be confused or skeptical right off the bat.
Keep it simple, direct, and visually clean. Make every word count. And remember – you only have seconds to make a strong first impression.