Deck (Pitch Deck)

Definition

A PowerPoint presentation that explains why your startup will either revolutionize the world or disappear within 18 months, with no middle ground. VCs will judge your entire company in 60 seconds based on your first three slides.

Example Usage

We completely redesigned our deck to focus on market size rather than product features, and suddenly investors took us seriously.

Origin

Business presentation terminology, standard in venture capital pitches

Fun Fact

The average VC spends only 3-5 minutes reviewing a pitch deck before deciding whether to take a meeting

Source: Venture Capital Standards, startup pitch guidelines

Related Terms

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reserve allocation

Capital set aside by a VC fund to support existing portfolio companies in future rounds. The difference between investing in 20 companies and actually having money to help the 2-3 that work.

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cram down

A financing round where new investors impose unfavorable terms on existing shareholders who lack the power to block it. Essentially a hostile takeover by people already inside your building.

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deployment pace

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Intermediate

zebra company

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