Investors reject intro calls before pitch decks
11 posts across 3 communities in the last 30 days; 82% from r/startups.
“Not all VCs are tech heavy, plenty of VC capital working hard in tech illiterate businesses. Yes, folks that are taking pitches everyday are likely sick of Claude and ChatGPT generated decks. Does stepping things up a few notches to a well animated presentation (with a still…”
“Yeah, calls are not happening when there's even a problem with lower hanging fruit (i.e approval for posting on the pull requests), i tried that. I probably could use my friends for this, but the idea needs validation in moving repository - not something that is prepared for…”
“The 12 slides plus a supporting doc is exactly the right instinct. Make the doc a one or two page memo, not a longer deck. The deck's only job is to earn the meeting: problem, why now, your edge, proof it works, how you make money, and the ask. Everything else (the other two…”
Several investors express disinterest in introductory calls, preferring to review pitch decks directly. This suggests a desire for efficiency and a preference for asynchronous communication from potential founders seeking investment.
SOURCES (60)
“Agreed. Investors watch for that for sure. [re: Tips for pitch competitions and meeting investors (I will not promote)]”
“Not all VCs are tech heavy, plenty of VC capital working hard in tech illiterate businesses. Yes, folks that are taking pitches everyday are likely sick of Claude and ChatGPT generated decks. Does stepping things up a few notches to a well animated presentation (with a still usable PDF) hurt them?”
“Yeah, calls are not happening when there's even a problem with lower hanging fruit (i.e approval for posting on the pull requests), i tried that. I probably could use my friends for this, but the idea needs validation in moving repository - not something that is prepared for test, i'm already doing smoke testing myself and it's working so”
“As a VC we literally laugh at these. ‘It’s not software it’s infastructure’. Gtfo.”
“it's not about that. it's just about the level of effort you put into the deck even with AI. If you're using something Claude spit out in 20 minutes without even bothering to polish it up it's a bad look.”
“We are a community of discussion based around startups, not a marketing channel. No promotional posts. www.reddit.com/wiki/selfpromotion”
“There's a pandemic of AI-generated pitch decks everywhere you go and it is overwhelming. Investors are now vehemently kicking against these types of decks, many investors say they will not take a meeting with any startup with a deck that looks like AI Yes, building coherent decks takes time so it is tempting to use AI. But founders need to be aware of the defaults that make most AI decks look frustratingly the same. Of course there's a way to set up AI (Claude) in particular to generate”
“Well I don’t think there are hard rules here but tbh proof trumps some made up number about the market a 100 times if I were the investor. Any investor worth their salt knows TAMs are bullshit. Sure you need it but traction is where you sell your story”
“lowkey flex but also super useful offer lol, if OP is comfy sharing they should absolutely take you up on that since you’ve actually been through the wringer with real investors”
Okkk I see!! I've got a lot of work cut out for me! But this really helps to direct me thank you!
“The 12 slides plus a supporting doc is exactly the right instinct. Make the doc a one or two page memo, not a longer deck. The deck's only job is to earn the meeting: problem, why now, your edge, proof it works, how you make money, and the ask. Everything else (the other two media nodes, the tax credit details) lives in the memo, which you only send when someone asks. One practical thing: build the deck to be read alone, not presented. The first time an investor sees it, you're not in th”
“If everything feeds into the flagship, make that the spine of the deck. You can show how each part supports it without explaining every operating detail upfront.”
“I was thinking of shortening the document anyways, because my family member did mention I need to restructure how the business operates to better facilitate the idea that they all feed into the flagship”
“I don't have a pitch deck ready but I can dm you and explain in further detail the business?”
“tbh if a family member says the idea is great but you get lost in the detail, investors will feel the same thing ten times harder. Pick the single strongest market of the three and pitch that. The other two are your answer to "whats your expansion plan" when they ask.”
“"you get lost in the excessive detail" A 50-page plan has its place. The deck has one job: make the next meeting feel necessary. Your supporting document can carry the detail behind it. I don't know civic-tech investor expectations well enough to judge the market framing.”
“Can you share your pitch deck? I would love to give some feedback? I've won many pitch competitions and also landed both BA and VC investors”
“lol for real, the “i will not promote” meta is getting wild in here but tbf those three can overlap a bit, sounds like they’re still at the “explore a broad space to see what sticks with investors” stage more than having a single tight pitch yet”
“Pitching in itself has become quite an art. Effectively eliminating the less articulates ones”
“Well, the idea is not to be a kitty, but to make the athlete an asset that may or may not give, let’s say profit... Nothing different from other things”
“If they can’t understand it properly, it’s because you can’t explain it well enough. You’re asking them for money, they’re not asking you to invest in them. It’s not their fault for not wanting to invest in you, it’s on you for not doing a better job at selling your business to them. If you’re unable to take accountability for your own mistakes, and instead shifting them onto others, you’ll never be able to learn from them and improve.”
“This is true but that’s why there is a mountain of failed VC backed companies. You can signal investability, but you cannot fake success.”
“Please tell me how someone can raise a big round just by being in SF. I am in the Bay Area and haven’t found it is as easy as people make it sound.”
“A popular place to get 409a has a conversation with founders/investors that is basically: what number are you looking for?”
There’s a pretty good amount of risk in that. I wouldn’t do it.
“Additional thought, go to legal networking events. Don’t pitch, just build relationships”
“Thank you! I was thinking about putting that $1k line on the deck too haha. We have not yet, but might be a good thing to explore. We've had 3 other ppl who've asked about investment though but those conversations haven't had yet.”
“Keep it minimal but not boring. A couple clean infographics for market size or traction data can help, but don't turn the whole deck into a comic book. Investors care about the numbers and the problem you're solving, not how artsy your slides are. For tools, Canva works fine if you're not a designer, just don't go overboard with their templates.”
“Unfortunately not the case- this comp structure was created so there is pretty much no equity.”
“I think the real issue is less about the banking account and more about who owns which decisions. If you’re both equal partners in practice, that doesn’t necessarily mean every operational decision needs two people signing off on it. I’d sit down and clearly define who has final say in each area, what decisions require both founders, and what happens when something is time-sensitive and one person isn’t moving on it. Otherwise, this same conflict will probably show up again with hiring, pricing,”
Yep. Apparently all a great pitch needs is an amazing business.
“I learned more from one founder whose company shut down than from five polished reference calls: the investor was helpful until the first missed quarter, then stopped replying. I now ask for two failed or struggling portfolio references, and treat any reluctance as part of the reference.”
Exactly this!! Remove the 500k ARR and nothing sounds interesting
If you’ve got choices, sure. Choices are few and far between.
“Well said. And most stopped when we cut them off except for one because her headphones were dead. So she kept talking even after we gave her signals. Honest mistake but it was very awkward.”
“yeah i just pitch in university competitions but i always have like 30 extra slides providing more detailed information on the plan to help with answering questions and act as a reference. there are my 4-6 main slides and then a bunch of organized "bonus slides" to pull out as i need them. in uni ive always used my professors slide decks as a reference for my classes, and i end up treating my pitch decks the same way. never actually pitched to vcs (am still in college) but i figure id”
This is great. In a couple of weeks I’m pitching a room full of angels. I have 3 minutes and NO slides. What’s your advice to stand out in that situation?