Create Pitch Decks for Startups
Design compelling slide decks to help startups raise investment.
About Create Pitch Decks for Startups
What is Pitch Deck Creation?
A compelling pitch deck can make or break a startup's fundraising efforts. Many founders have brilliant ideas and strong businesses but lack the design skills or storytelling ability to present them effectively.
Pitch deck creators combine design, copywriting, and strategic thinking to help founders present their vision compellingly. It's visual storytelling for business.
Why This Work Exists
Founders Need Help
Most founders aren't presentation experts:
- Too close to see the story clearly
- Lack design skills
- Don't know what investors want
- Time-constrained during fundraising
High Stakes Create Value
A pitch deck can determine whether a startup raises millions. This importance justifies premium pricing.
Recurring Demand
Startups raise multiple rounds (seed, A, B, C...), each needing updated decks. The ecosystem continuously produces new companies needing help.
Types of Services
Design Only
| Deliverable | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Template design | $500-1,500 |
| Full deck design | $1,000-3,000 |
| Premium with graphics | $2,000-5,000 |
Content + Design
| Deliverable | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Content guidance + design | $2,000-5,000 |
| Full narrative + design | $4,000-8,000 |
| Comprehensive package | $6,000-12,000 |
Full Strategy Service
| Deliverable | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Positioning and messaging | Included |
| Story structure | Included |
| Full design | Included |
| Coaching and iteration | Included |
Typical project: $8,000-20,000+
What Makes Pitches Work
Investor Perspective
Investors see hundreds of decks. They look for:
- Clear, massive market opportunity
- Unique insight or advantage
- Evidence of traction
- Exceptional team
- Realistic but ambitious ask
Standard Deck Structure
| Slide | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Title/Hook | One-line pitch |
| Problem | Pain point you solve |
| Solution | Your product |
| Market | Size and opportunity |
| Business Model | How you make money |
| Traction | Proof it works |
| Competition | Differentiation |
| Team | Why you'll win |
| Financials | Projections |
| Ask | Investment request |
Building Your Practice
Developing Expertise
If new to startups:
- Study successful decks
- Learn fundraising basics
- Follow startup media
- Take smaller projects first
- Partner with advisors
Essential Skills
Visual design:
- Clean presentation design
- Data visualization
- Visual hierarchy
Copywriting:
- Clear, concise messaging
- Persuasive narrative
- Compelling headlines
Strategic thinking:
- Business model understanding
- Market analysis
- Investor psychology
Tools
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Figma | Design and prototyping |
| PowerPoint/Keynote | Traditional decks |
| Google Slides | Collaboration |
| Pitch | Purpose-built |
| Notion | Client collaboration |
Finding Clients
Where Startups Gather
- Accelerators (YC, Techstars)
- Startup communities
- Product Hunt
- Demo days and events
Outreach Strategies
LinkedIn:
- Connect with founders fundraising
- Share pitch deck insights
Freelance platforms:
Referral network:
- Angel investors
- Startup lawyers
- Other consultants
Content Marketing
Demonstrate expertise:
- Pitch deck teardowns
- Fundraising tips
- Case studies
- Templates and frameworks
Working with Founders
The Process
- Discovery - Understand business deeply
- Strategy - Develop narrative structure
- Design - Create initial design
- Iteration - Multiple revision rounds
- Delivery - Final files and coaching
Managing Expectations
Founders under pressure can be demanding:
- Set clear revision limits
- Establish realistic timelines
- Communicate proactively
- Document decisions
Pricing Strategy
| Service Tier | Scope | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Design refresh | New design, existing content | $1,000-2,500 |
| Standard | Content guidance + design | $2,500-5,000 |
| Premium | Strategy + content + design | $5,000-10,000 |
| Enterprise | Full support, coaching | $10,000-25,000 |
Value-Based Framing
If a deck helps raise $2M at 20% dilution, that's $400,000 of equity. A $5,000-10,000 fee is trivial in context.
Working While Nomadic
Remote-Friendly
- All collaboration online
- Cloud-based tools
- Video call meetings
- Digital file delivery
Challenges
- Time zones for revision calls
- Tight deadlines need availability
- Occasional in-person requests (can decline)
Who Should Create Pitch Decks?
This path is ideal if you:
- Combine design and strategic thinking
- Find startups interesting
- Handle deadline pressure
- Enjoy variety in clients
- Want premium pricing
It's not right if you:
- Prefer steady, predictable work
- Don't understand startup/VC world
- Dislike revision cycles
- Need passive income
- Can't handle intense periods
The Bottom Line
Creating pitch decks combines design, writing, and strategy into high-value work. The stakes are high—your deck helps determine funding—and pricing reflects that.
Build expertise through study and projects. Position yourself in startup communities. Focus on delivering results that founders will talk about.
Every funded startup started with a pitch deck. Help founders create theirs.
Business Models
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can pitch deck designers charge?
Basic design refresh: $500-1,500. Full deck creation: $2,000-5,000. Premium strategy + design + storytelling: $5,000-15,000+. Top specialists charge $15,000-50,000+ for comprehensive packages.
Do I need startup experience?
Understanding startups and VC helps significantly. Know what investors look for and how fundraising works. If inexperienced, study extensively and partner with startup advisors initially.
What skills do I need?
Presentation design, copywriting, strategic thinking, data visualization, and stakeholder management. The best designers understand both visual design and investor psychology.
Where do I find clients?
Accelerators, startup communities, LinkedIn outreach, freelance platforms, referrals from investors/advisors, and content marketing in startup spaces.
Difficulty Level
Somewhat Difficult 😕
Level of Passivity
Fully Active
How to Monetize
- Paid Per Project
- Paid Per Hour