With Web Summit Vancouver here and BIO 2025 around the corner, we thought this was an excellent time to dive into how to get your corporate pitch deck ready for a major conference.
In our opinion, delivering an impactful pitch is more science than art. You have a few minutes to attract interest, so you need to be strategic with how you package information together. Potential investors or partners are talking to hundreds of people who are similar to you. Carefully crafting your deck helps ensure you stand out.
Here are ways to fine-tune your deck:
Keep to 10 slides or less. Every slide in your deck needs to work hard. Focus on three key areas: (1) the problem you are solving; (2) how your company is uniquely positioned to solve it; and (3) what makes your science or approach different. Many other companies that are pitching will be describing their innovation as “ground-breaking”, “revolutionary” or “cutting-edge”. Use these adjectives with care, if at all. Also be cautious if you are claiming your tech involves AI or machine learning. These terms are also becoming overused in the industry.
Back up your claims. Specificity builds trust. Vague or overstated promises do the opposite.
Keep your writing tight. Review all text on your deck carefully, even figure captions and references. Absolutely no spelling or grammar errors. You want to keep your word count low to make your key messages easier to remember. You should also apply strong writing principles and:
- Avoid clichés
- Use the active voice
- Cut unnecessary words
- Minimize long sentences
Do not skimp on design. Make sure your deck is put together by a graphic designer. A professional will ensure your presentation follows your brand guidelines and is appropriately proportioned and precisely aligned. Getting these details right is challenging without formal training. No matter how strong your science, an amateur-looking deck will undermine your credibility.
Lastly, backup your deck. Always have a second copy available to ensure you can still deliver your pitch if you experience technical difficulties.
Your corporate pitch deck is the single most important item in your communications toolkit at a conference, and investing in making it more compelling will help secure partnerships, investments and new leads.
Best of luck at your next conference!