# Pitch Deck Design & Narrative Resources

## Narrative Structures & Templates

### Classic Investor Pitch Deck (10-Slide Framework)
A concise structure respecting investor time while covering essentials:
1. **Vision/Value Proposition** - One-sentence business summary
2. **Problem** - Relatable, significant pain point
3. **Target Market & Opportunity** - Ideal customer and market size
4. **Solution** - How you solve the problem
5. **Product/Service** - Deeper look with screenshots/demos
6. **Business Model** - Revenue generation approach
7. **Traction/Milestones** - Progress or roadmap (early-stage)
8. **Team** - Key members and relevant experience
9. **Competition** - Competitors and unique advantage
10. **Ask & Use of Funds** - Raise amount and capital allocation

### Alternative Narrative Frameworks

**Market-First ("Why Now?") Approach**
- Lead with market shift creating urgency
- Emphasize timing and opportunity
- Ideal for traction-heavy pitches

**The Hero's Journey**
- Position audience as hero facing challenge
- Presenter as mentor providing guidance
- Creates emotional connection and empowerment

**In Medias Res**
- Begin in middle of action to grab attention
- Circle back for context and build suspense

**Converging Ideas**
- Show how disparate concepts unite into powerful conclusion
- Effective for demonstrating innovation

**Petal Structure**
- Central concept with supporting stories/speakers as "petals"
- Each petal reinforces core message

**Nested Loops**
- Layer stories within stories
- Pause at high tension, introduce context, return to resolution
- Creates suspense and sustained engagement

### Stage-Specific Adaptations

**Pre-Seed/Seed**
- Focus: Team expertise and compelling vision
- Financial projections more speculative
- Emphasize problem-solution fit

**Series A+**
- Detailed financial data and key metrics (CAC, LTV)
- Proven traction and revenue growth
- Clear path to profitability

## Graphic Design Principles

### Core Principles

**Simplicity & Clarity**
- Max 40 words per slide
- One idea per slide
- Embrace white space (30-40% empty)

**Consistency**
- Brand colors, fonts, logo throughout
- 1-2 fonts maximum (sans-serif recommended)
- 2-3 color palette with high contrast

**Visual Hierarchy**
- Size, color, placement indicate importance
- Most critical content most prominent
- Guide viewer's eye deliberately

**Alignment & Layout**
- Use grid system for organization
- Consistent positioning creates polish
- Logical grouping of related elements

**Contrast**
- High contrast text/background (4.5:1 minimum WCAG AA)
- Color, size, weight create visual interest
- Emphasize key information

**White Space**
- Improves readability and focus
- Creates balance, prevents clutter
- Professional, modern aesthetic

### Visual Elements

**Typography**
- Headlines: 36-54pt bold, brand primary color
- Headings: 24-30pt bold, dark neutral
- Body: 14-18pt regular, high contrast
- Captions/stats: 12-16pt, accent color

**Color Application**
- Problem slides: Urgency (reds/oranges)
- Solution slides: Trust (blues/greens)
- Consistent brand reinforcement
- Strategic attention-guiding

**High-Quality Visuals**
- High-resolution images and graphics
- Relevant icons and illustrations
- Professional product mockups
- Avoid generic stock photos

**Data Visualization**
- Charts/graphs over dense tables
- Clear labels and legends
- Simplify complex information
- Visual storytelling with numbers

**Interactive Elements**
- Embed prototypes where possible
- Polls, Q&A sections
- Demo videos or walkthroughs

## Narrative Best Practices

### Content Development

**Know Your Audience**
- Tailor language, examples, expertise level
- Investors: financials and market size
- Clients: solving their specific challenges
- Create empathy map for audience understanding

**Strong Opening Hook**
- Surprising statistic
- Thought-provoking question
- Compelling anecdote
- Relatable problem statement

**Clear Narrative Arc**
- **Beginning (What):** Set stage, introduce problem, establish relevance
- **Middle (So What):** Build tension, present solution, provide evidence, address challenges
- **End (Now What):** Summary, clear call to action, lasting impression

**Storytelling Elements**
- Conflict and resolution create tension
- Emotion and empathy for connection
- Customer testimonials build credibility
- Data as story (not just numbers)
- Show, don't just tell

**Brevity & Focus**
- Most investors review 2-5 minutes
- Avoid jargon and unnecessary detail
- Focus on 1-2 key metrics per section
- Every slide advances the narrative

### Delivery Techniques

**Benefit-Driven Headlines**
- Communicate value, not just topic
- "92% Time Savings" vs. "Product Features"

**Concise, Scannable Text**
- Short sentences and bullet points
- Bold key phrases
- Slides as visual aid, not script

**Build Credibility**
- Social proof (testimonials, press mentions)
- Case studies with quantified results
- Team credentials and experience
- Current traction and milestones

**Highlight Unique Value**
- Clear differentiation from competitors
- Core principles that set you apart
- Specific advantages, not generic claims

**End with Momentum**
- Powerful closing statement
- Reiterate call to action
- Inspire confidence in vision
- Memorable final impression

## Key Success Metrics

**Content Quality Indicators**
- One clear message per slide
- Logical flow without gaps
- Every claim supported by evidence
- Consistent tone matching audience
- 10-20 slides ideal for EdTech pitches

**Design Quality Indicators**
- Accessible contrast ratios
- Readable from distance (14pt+ body)
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Consistent branding throughout
- Professional, modern aesthetic

**Narrative Quality Indicators**
- Compelling opening that hooks attention
- Emotional connection with audience
- Clear problem-solution-impact flow
- Memorable conclusion with action
- Story that investors can retell

## EdTech-Specific Considerations

**Market Context**
- Focus on crisis-driven demand where applicable
- Education budget stability (recession-resistant)
- Digital transformation post-COVID
- Regulatory compliance (FERPA, data security)

**Key Stakeholders**
- Decision makers: admins, superintendents, IT directors
- End users: teachers, students, parents
- Budget holders: district CFOs, school boards
- Different pain points for each audience

**Value Demonstration**
- Time savings (quantified hours/dollars)
- Student outcome improvements (effect sizes)
- Cost efficiency and ROI
- Ease of implementation
- Compliance and security built-in

**Competitive Positioning**
- Legacy system vulnerabilities
- Gaps in current market
- Modern UX expectations
- Integration capabilities
- Mid-market pricing opportunities
