pitch-deck

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)