Where Founders Most Often Screw Up Their Pitch Decks

The article discusses common mistakes made by startups when pitching to investors. The author, Haje Jan Kamps, highlights several areas where founders tend to fall short:

1. Lack of operating plan: 86% of founders fail to include a simplified version of their financials and product milestones for the next 12-18 months.
2. Inadequate explanation of the hard problem they’re trying to solve: 78% of founders don’t discuss the difficult challenges their company is addressing.
3. Failure to anchor the company in time with a "why now" story: 68% of decks lack a clear explanation of why the startup’s launch timing is optimal.
4. Insufficient competitive analysis: 24% of decks don’t include information about competitors or alternative products.
5. Lack of pricing strategy: 16% of founders neglect to include pricing information for their products.

Additionally, Haje Jan Kamps lists several other common mistakes made by startups when pitching:

1. Not including an operating plan
2. Failing to discuss the hard problem they’re trying to solve
3. Not anchoring the company in time with a "why now" story
4. Insufficient competitive analysis
5. Lack of pricing strategy

Haje Jan Kamps emphasizes that avoiding these mistakes can increase a startup’s chances of successfully pitching and raising funds.

Some key takeaways from the article include:

• Investors love numbers, so having an operating plan is essential.
• Startups should clearly explain the hard problem they’re trying to solve and why it’s difficult to replicate their solution.
• The "why now" story helps investors understand the startup’s timing and why it’s optimal for launch.
• Competitive analysis provides context for the market and shows that the startup has done its research.
• Pricing strategy is crucial, as it demonstrates a clear understanding of the market and how the product will generate revenue.

Overall, the article highlights the importance of preparation and attention to detail when pitching a startup. By avoiding these common mistakes, founders can increase their chances of success and secure funding for their ventures.