“We just need a simple pitch deck. You know, like the ones investors see all the time.”The voice on the other end of the call was confident, almost dismissive. It was the CEO of a tech startup, reaching out for a deck design.
Our creative director paused for a second before responding. “What do you mean by a simple pitch deck? Are you raising funds, closing deals, or expanding partnerships?”
“Well, all of the above, I guess?”
And there it was. The classic mistake. People think there’s a one-size-fits-all pitch deck, something generic they can slap together and throw in front of any audience. That’s a recipe for failure. A pitch deck isn’t just a PowerPoint; it’s a weapon. And different battles require different weapons.
As a presentation design agency, we see this confusion all the time. Every project we take on is rooted in real client conversations like this one. So, let’s set the record straight. There are multiple types of pitch decks, and choosing the right one can make or break your success. In this blog, we’ll walk you through them, tell you when to use each, and make sure you never walk into a pitch unprepared again.
Types of Pitch Decks
1. The Investor Pitch Deck (The "Show Me the Money" Deck)
This is the one most people think of when they hear "pitch deck." But don’t get it twisted—it’s not just about looking good; it’s about making investors believe. If you’re raising funds, your deck needs to answer three core questions:
Why this? (Why does your product/service matter?)
Why now? (Why is the timing right?)
Why you? (Why are YOU the team to execute this?)
Investors don’t care about fluff. They want to see scalability, traction, and market opportunity. And they want it fast. If your deck takes too long to make a point, you’ve already lost them.
2. The Sales Pitch Deck (The "Buy Now" Deck)
An investor pitch and a sales pitch are not the same thing. Investors want growth potential; customers want immediate value.
Your sales deck should hit three key points:
Pain Point: What problem does your audience face?
Solution: How does your product/service solve it?
Proof: Why should they trust you?
This deck needs to be story-driven, visually compelling, and straight to the point. No one wants to sit through 30 slides of self-praise—show the value and close the deal.
3. The Partnership Pitch Deck (The "Let’s Team Up" Deck)
This one is often overlooked, but it’s critical. Whether you’re pitching to potential collaborators, distributors, or strategic allies, you need to show mutual benefit.
A solid partnership deck should include:
What your company does
Why the partnership makes sense
What the other party gains
What the next steps look like
Forget excessive details. Focus on what’s in it for them.
4. The Internal Pitch Deck (The "Sell It to Your Own Team" Deck)
Sometimes, the most important pitches happen inside your own company. Whether you’re convincing leadership to back an initiative or rallying employees around a new strategy, this deck needs to do one thing: get buy-in.
Key elements:
A clear vision
Data-backed reasoning
The impact on the company and team
Next steps and execution plan
Your team doesn’t need convincing about who you are—they need to know why this decision is the right one.
5. The Elevator Pitch Deck (The "Fast & Furious" Deck)
You’re at an event. You meet an investor or a potential client. They don’t have time for a full pitch—they have 5 minutes. That’s where the elevator pitch deck comes in.
This deck is short, sweet, and laser-focused. It should include:
Your company’s mission
A brief problem-solution statement
Your unique selling point
A strong CTA (Call to Action)
Think of it as a teaser, not a full story. Its job is to hook interest and set up a follow-up meeting.
6. The Competition Pitch Deck (The "We’re Better" Deck)
If you’re in a crowded market, you need to stand out. A competition deck is designed to show why you’re the best choice compared to alternatives.
It should:
Break down competitor weaknesses
Highlight your strengths
Prove your unique positioning
Show real-world results
This deck is common in enterprise sales, agency pitches, and B2B proposals. If you can’t explain why you’re better, why should anyone pick you?
7. The Vision Pitch Deck (The "Big Picture" Deck)
If you’re pitching for something that doesn’t exist yet—a bold new initiative, a disruptive idea, or a future innovation—this is the deck you need.
It should:
Paint a compelling vision
Show how you’ll get there
Highlight potential impact
Inspire belief
This isn’t about numbers—it’s about emotion, storytelling, and excitement.
Why You Need Professional Help (And Why DIY Will Cost You More)
Let’s be brutally honest: DIY pitch decks usually fail.
Why? Because you’re too close to your own business. You know it so well that you forget to simplify it for outsiders. You overload slides with too much text, too many numbers, and not enough clarity.
Investors, clients, and partners see hundreds of decks. If yours looks sloppy or lacks a compelling story, you’re instantly at a disadvantage.
That’s why working with Ink Narrates gives you an edge. We don’t just make slides look good—we build decks that win. Our team has helped startups secure funding, enterprises close deals, and businesses expand partnerships.
If you’re serious about getting results, don’t leave your pitch deck to chance.
How to Get Started
It’s very easy to get started with us. Just click on the "Start a Project" button on our website, make payment, and get started. Else, if you’d like to talk first, reach out to us from the contact section of our website.
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