April 5, 2024

211. The Pitch Deck is YOUR Story

211. The Pitch Deck is YOUR Story
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Season 4

Text your thoughts directly to Rich.

Tell a story that is genuine to you and your startup.

About AVL Growth Partners
AVL Growth Partners, founded in 2009, is the leading fractional Finance and Accounting firm supporting organizations in pivoting from growth to scale. AVL brings an experienced team of CFOs, Controllers, and Accountants to your organization, delivering transparent, strategic actions for short and long-term success. Transform your financial approach affordably with AVL, supporting companies coast to coast - get to know AVL Growth Partners at avlgrowth.com. (Sponsored)

About SpringTime Ventures
SpringTime Ventures seeds high-growth startups in healthcare, fintech & insurtech, and logistics & supply chain. We look for founders with domain expertise, forging a path with a truly transformative technology. We only invest in software-based businesses in the USA. We bring a people-focused approach, work quickly, and reach conviction independently. Our initial check size is $600k. You can learn more about us and our approach.     

Transcript
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Over several episodes this week, we've provided different recommendations of topics to include in the pitch deck.

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We aren't the first ones to do this and we certainly won't be the last, but as we wrap up this week, we wanted to call something out: every single one of these is a suggestion.

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The proffered advice is just that—advice.

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It's designed to help guide you towards a story and shouldn't be considered prescriptive.

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The reason there isn't a formulaic outline is because ultimately an early stage pitch is the founder's story.

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If we've said it once we've said it a million times, so much of an early stage investors decision comes down to an investor's belief in the team.

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The pitch should showcase who the founders are as people, their strengths and how they think about the business.

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Investors want to see the heart and soul of who is at the helm.

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Sure there are specific things that should absolutely be included, such as the problem being solved and the revenue model, but the founder is responsible for tying all of the pieces together and telling a broader story.

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What works for one founder might not for another.

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Like episode 106 highlights, you have to be you, the word authenticity gets thrown around a lot, but I think it's critical to fundraising success.

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If a founder isn't telling a story that feels genuine to them, investors can see through that.

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Just like great chefs add their own flare to dishes to make it their own, so too should founders.

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Well said, Allyson.

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Thanks for sharing all of your insights this week.

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And if you want to read more of Alison's insights, she does a great job of putting together the newsletter over on VCminute.substack.com.

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Go check that out.

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For our part, we've already started the process of crafting the SpringTime story as we think about what a third fund will look like for us.

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Though our fundraising timelines run on a much longer cycle—we're only halfway through this fund after all we have to start planning for it now.

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I'm sure I'll have updates for you as we dive into that.

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For now, I want to thank AVL Growth Partners for supporting the VC Minute.

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AVL's team brings significant years of finance and accounting expertise.

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They ensure your path to success is crystal clear.

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AVL starts with a comprehensive business evaluation, uncovering opportunities and mapping actions to both your short and longterm goals.

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Their evaluations are crafted from over a decade of experience pivoting companies from growth to scale.

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If you want to take your company to the next level and need the experience required to make it happen.

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Visit AVL growth.com right now.

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Time is our most precious asset and thank you for spending some of it with us today.