Courses

Startups try to project uniqueness, but many still use dated presentation formats for pitch decks. These paint-by-numbers templates are incongruent with the innovation and disruptive approaches on which startups pride themselves. The result is often a missed opportunity to secure funding or a new client. A pitch deck holds countless clues about a company beyond its product, market positioning, and potential revenue. Slide sequencing indicates a sense of logic, the amount of information per slide signals whether founders understand what’s essential and what’s superfluous, and consistent formatting conveys attention to detail. In this course, students will learn how to use intentionality, logic, common sense, and precision to create remarkable, on-message presentations with all the right signals. They will learn how to avoid parody presentation tactics such as 2x2 quadrant domination, generic positioning statements, and death by bullet point. Students will hone these skills through in-depth analysis of both good and bad examples, creating new decks, and critiquing each other’s work.