| name | pitch-deck |
| type | workflow |
| family | workflow |
| rigor | full |
| description | Use when creating investor pitches, internal presentations, or funding proposals. |
| keywords | investor-pitch, presentation, funding, storytelling, pitch, investor-relations |
| compatibility | Claude Code and compatible agent products |
| requires | ["problem-framing","market-context"] |
| enhances | ["fiction-architect","executive-briefing","business-case"] |
| sources_pdf | ["Zero to One (Thiel)","High Growth Handbook (Gil)","Scientific Advertising (Hopkins)"] |
| sources_web | ["Sequoia Pitch Deck Template","YC Application Guide"] |
Overview
Pitch-deck creation is the narrative art of proving a "secret" through data and design. It transforms a vague idea into a definite plan for monopoly, focusing on the vertical leap from 0 to 1. It forces the author to answer the two most critical questions in venture: "Why Now?" (Market Timing) and "Why Us?" (Unique Capability).
Iron Law
NO PITCH WITHOUT A CLEAR "WHY NOW" AND "WHY US" ANSWER
Without a compelling reason for market timing and a unique team mission, a pitch is merely an observation of a trend. This leads to being "one of many" in a competitive market where profits are competed to zero. (Source: Thiel)
State Machine
digraph pitch_deck_flow {
"The Secret Discovered" [shape=doublecircle];
"Step 1: The 10x Leap" [shape=box];
"Step 2: Niche Monopolization" [shape=box];
"Step 3: Scaling Roadmap" [shape=box];
"Gate: The 'Why' Audit" [shape=diamond];
"Deck Finalized" [shape=doublecircle];
"The Secret Discovered" -> "Step 1: The 10x Leap";
"Step 1: The 10x Leap" -> "Step 2: Niche Monopolization";
"Step 2: Niche Monopolization" -> "Step 3: Scaling Roadmap";
"Step 3: Scaling Roadmap" -> "Gate: The 'Why' Audit";
"Gate: The 'Why' Audit" -> "Step 1: The 10x Leap" [label="incremental logic"];
"Gate: The 'Why' Audit" -> "Deck Finalized" [label="pass"];
}
When to Use This Skill
- When raising external venture capital (Seed through Series C).
- When pitching a "big bet" or new product line to internal leadership.
- When applying for startup accelerators (e.g., YC).
- When a strategic pivot requires re-alignment of investors or the board.
When NOT to Use This Skill
- For routine project status updates (use
executive-briefing instead).
- For detailed technical documentation (use
prd-writing instead).
- When the objective is collaborative brainstorming (use
problem-framing instead).
Core Process
Step 1: Articulate "The Secret" (Why Now?)
- Contrarian Truth: Identify an important truth that very few people agree with you on. Explain why the world looks different tomorrow because of a breakthrough today. (Source: Thiel, Zero to One)
- Market Timing: What has changed in the last 12-24 months (technology, regulation, or social behavior) that makes this possible today, but impossible before? (Source: Sequoia)
Step 2: Define the 10x Leap (Why Us?)
- Order of Magnitude: Prove that your solution is at least 10x better than the closest substitute. Marginal 10% or 20% improvements invite cutthroat competition. (Source: Thiel, Zero to One)
