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Insights from Reviewing 500 Pitch Decks
+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London
Vasily Alekseenko
September 08, 2024
Insights from Reviewing 500 Pitch Decks
Over the past two weeks, together with 60 of our investor partners we have been deep in the trenches, reviewing an astounding 500 pitch decks for London’s Largest Demo Day. Here’s what we learned and what you should keep in mind when crafting your own pitch deck.
The Power of a Clean Narrative
One thing that stood out from our reviews is the importance of a clean, compelling narrative. Many decks attempted to address every conceivable question an investor might ask (one pitch deck had 80+ pages), but the most effective ones were those that told a clear, focused story. The goal is not to answer every question in the deck itself but to capture enough interest to secure a meeting.
Investors are looking for a concise and engaging narrative that highlights the core value of your venture. Too much information can lead to what’s known as the “burden of proof”—the more details you provide, the more opportunities there are for doubt or skepticism. Instead, focus on delivering a narrative that makes a strong impression and leaves them wanting to learn more.
Strategic Use of Appendices
Another key takeaway is the strategic use of appendices. Rather than overloading your main pitch deck with every piece of information, use appendices to provide additional details that may be relevant but not essential for the initial pitch.
For instance, you might include:
• How the Science Works: Detailed technical explanations for those interested in the specifics.
• Future Business Models: Insights into how you envision your business evolving over time.
These appendices should be used as supplementary material, allowing you to address specific questions that come up during meetings or follow-up discussions. This approach not only keeps your main pitch deck clean but also provides you with an opportunity to engage further with interested investors.
Balancing Detail and Brevity
From reviewing these 500 pitch decks, we observed that the most successful ones struck a balance between brevity and detail. An ideal pitch deck is typically around 8-10 slides—just enough to convey your message without overwhelming your audience. Appendices can be as detailed as needed, but should be used judiciously to support your main narrative.
The Final Takeaway
In conclusion, the key to a successful pitch deck is to present a clear and engaging story, use appendices strategically, and strike the right balance between detail and brevity. By focusing on these elements, you’ll be better positioned to capture investor interest and make a lasting impression.
DEMO DAY UPDATE 👀
We received all the ratings from investors and currently working through the top 100, with the aim to announce it next week. Please keep an eye on your inbox, spam, or LinkedIn as I will be contacting you everywhere to confirm. To reserve your pitching spot you will need to book your ticket.
Additionally, those founders who applied and have not raised any money, expect the email on how you can join “1st Money-In” event with Chris Howard and pitch to 20 angel investors.
We are currently working through the agenda on the day but have already confirmed some top quality speakers. More details to be announced soon.
EVENT OF THE YEAR🔥
 | Rare FoundersLondon’s Largest Demo DayAre you ready to experience the event where you get a real value? Join us for 1 day conference built around London’s largest pitching stage featuring 100 pre-selected founders pitching to the audience of hundreds of investors. But there is more. We will have 2 content stages for founders and investors, 121 networking area, mobile app for the day, access to LIVE podcast recording with some top guests. We will even have a quiet/ wellness space for anyone who might feel anxious and will benefit from quality me-time. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Mon 14 Oct, 9:00 - 23:00 BST |
RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS❤️
 | Rare FoundersStartup RunBi-weekly 5k running events for anyone in the startup ecosystem, followed by networking drinks in the nearby pub. Same time same, place. In-person event Green Park, London, W1J 9DZ, UK Thu 22 Aug, 18:00 - 22:00 BST |
 | Rare FoundersFirst Money-InOnce the London’s Largest Demo Day is over, instead of boring drinks reception we will be hosting another mini-event where 10 founders who have not raised any money yet will be pitching to 20 active investors who will come to invest money on the day. Drinks and snacks will be provided as well as music played by DJ. In-person event 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE, UK Mon 14 Oct, 18:00 - 23:00 BST |
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OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
 | braveFinsbury Park - Coworking + Happy HourJoin brave from morning "Office Hours" to after work Happy Hour Meet your next Cofounder, Investor, Business Partner, Customer, Team, Mentor, or Friend to inspire you, brainstorm with, grow your mindset and your business. In-person event Oxford House, London, N4 3EY, UK Mon 9 Sep, 9:00 - 18:30 BST |
 | SeedLegalsHow to Prepare for your Investor Pitch MeetingAre you a founder gearing up for your next investor pitch meeting? Or wondering how to align your strategy to a key investor target? Join this exclusive webinar with Eva Dobrzanska designed to help you shine in front of potential investors. Online event Tue 10 Sep, 12:00 - 13:00 BST |
 | GoodTechVenturesWhat Is IP, and Why Is It Important to Your Venture?If you're an early stage venture with a product or service this masterclass will provide you with the knowledge you need to identify your own Intellectual Property (IP), talk sensibly about your IP position and the steps you need to take to get started. Online event Tue 10 Sep, 10:30 - 11:30 BST |
 | Kiki VenturesBack to School: London Climate DrinksJoin Kiko Ventures, MCJ and 2150 in the beautiful Camley Street urban nature reserve - just by Kings Cross - to kick off a busy autumn season for the climate community. Light drinks and snacks provided. In-person event 12 Camley St, London, N1C 4PW, UK Tue 10 Sep, 13:00 - 14:00 BST |
 | SeedLegalsHow to Close your Funding Found Before the EOYThis exclusive event will feature two expert-led panels focused on providing actionable insights and strategies to help you close your round before the end of the year. In-person event Old Street area, London, UK Wed 11 Sep, 9:30 - 12:30 BST |
 | EquitasPeople Tech BreakfastJoin this event for Founders in the People Tech space (HR, TA, Recruitment or DEI tech)! Coffees and pastries are provided. The room will be circa 80% founders, 10% operators and 10% investors and interesting folks. In-person event Aldgate area, London, UK Wed 11 Sep, 8:30 - 10:30 BST |
 | BarclaysAn Economic Outlook for UK BusinessesJoin this virtual event where Barclays aims to help businesses understand the potential impact this topic has on them. Throughout this session, they will review the UK economic outlook under a new government, expectations from the new autumn budget and what SMEs can do to prepare for this. Online event Wed 11 Sep, 14:00 - 15:00 BST |
 | Robot MascotInnovation with Design SprintJoin us for a workshop that dives deep into the world of Design Sprints—a dynamic approach that has revolutionised how businesses turn ideas into market-ready products within days. Whether you’re a startup or an established corporate innovation hub, our workshop is tailored to demystify the process, accelerate your path from concept to validation, and drastically reduce the risks typically associated with new initiatives. Online event Thu 12 Sep, 15:00 - 15:45 BST |
 | PitchflixReverse PitchingReverse-pitch showcase: leading and emerging VCs and accelerators showcase their propositions to investment-ready founders. Join this special episode supporting female founders who are leading the way in innovation and growth within the startup/early stage ecosystem. In-person event Level39, Canary Wharf, One Canada Square, London, E14, UK 5ABThu 12 Sep, 15:00 - 15:45 BST |
PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES🌿
 | hotbedInvestor: Founder Speed Dating (Applications)On 22nd October hotbed is hosting an Investor:Founder Speed Dating event. They have 10 slots for fundraising founders to meet 10 angel investors and early-stage VCs. Open to all fundraising pre-seed and seed stage founders. Apply before the 15th of Sep here. |
Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders
Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.
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