Pitch Decks Young Masters at 26
Pitch decks were Mark Golub’s expertise when a friend from a startup asked for his feedback while he was working as a brand consultant. Before he could even think about it, Golub revealed that he and Alex Flynn, a high school friend working in a crypto company, had actually started the business of creating pitch decks for startups.
But that’s not all they had. At the age of 26, Golub and Flynn had spent several years working in consultancies like Accenture and R/GA, crafting thousands of slideshows for clients, conducting their scrutiny, and harboring the itch to start their own company. They paved the path to meet their founder friend, who ran away with their initial accounts. Golub reflects a year later, saying the advice they gave was “contrarian.”
“We literally called each other out on that day,” says Flynn. “And it was like, ‘This didn’t go well, but it’s a really good idea.'”
Deck Doctors: Funding Success Amid Uncertainty
Today, both run Deck Doctors, a consultancy firm that creates pitch decks or slideshows sent to venture capitalists to convince them to participate in the next funding round and potentially invest.
And business is booming. According to Deck Doctors, in their first 15 months alone, they provided pitch decks support to over 100 startups, collectively raising millions of dollars in funding. Among their clientele are boosterized firms like HappyPillar, an app offering health assistance related to family planning in a style relevant to households. In 2021, it secured $25 million in Series B funding for its drone software.
It’s no surprise that founders are hustling to secure funding for their startups in the current uncertain economic conditions, where venture funds are seeing limited cash flow. Recent data from Crunchbase reveals that funding for early-stage startups in the United States and Canada has reached the lowest in months. The demand for services that can give founders an edge remains high.
London’s Unique Storytelling for Fundraising
The startup landscape in London has made it more challenging for fund-raising, especially this year, as founders reach out to more investors for capital. Some founders have resorted to creating lengthy memes and humorous videos to stand out, while others, who prefer the abbreviation and expertise of pitch decks, turn to consultancies like McKinsey and Deckworks, as well as freelancers on platforms like Upwork, for assistance.
While the market is saturated, Golub says that telling a story sets their service apart. The signature service, called “Surgery,” begins with a 75-minute workshop to understand the founder’s business and vision. “We really, really dive deep,” they say. In about three weeks, they send the founder a draft of the pitch decks, formatted in Google Slides for easy editing, and gather feedback. The final version of the deck includes a template with blank spaces for additional slides in case more need to be added later.
Flexible Pricing, Hisel Fund Boost
Deck Doctors charge a flat rate, refusing to disclose the price, especially in the early stages of a company, and offer additional assistance in branding. For a higher fee, Deck Doctors provide a service called “Treatment,” where they enhance an existing pitch decks at a lower cost for cash-strapped founders.
The Hisel Fund, their portfolio company, vouches for their value. For founders unable to meet the full fee, they can make payments through pocket or Hisel Fund can contribute a little capital for “Surgery” to be carried out. If the next round of success for the founder increases the possibilities to raise funds at a higher valuation, it’s a small price to pay.
According to Flynn, people often believe they require assistance in designing their deck, but the true need lies in organizing their story.
Gardner’s Pitch Wisdom
Sam Gardner was among the builders Yen mentioned. Then, six months after founding his health startup, Happypillar, he had already prepared sales pitch decks for hospitals, schools, and parents to showcase. Just before the fundraising season, he needed pitch decks for investors. Initially reluctant to succumb to the “curse” of being a business owner, he decided to pitch to venture capitalists. Gardner says, “I certainly didn’t regret it. The most valuable lesson I gained was how to bring my business to investors.” The process of building pitch decks with doctors taught him the real concerns of investors: opportunity and defense.
According to Gardner, “Thinking about venture math and where you can go, there’s really no way to know from the seed stage.” “So, it’s just preparing your message so that they think, ‘Yes, this is the idea that’s worth 100X.'”
In November, he signed a term sheet on a team sheet from an early-stage firm to lead the fundraising round for Happypillar.
Decks’ Success Spurs Growth
Doctors of Decks say that it has grown, especially through word of mouth and references from venture capitalists. With an increase in the company’s revenue, it has successfully attracted the services of top designers and heads of marketing and operations.
Golub and Flynn expect to be busier than ever as the fundraising season kicks into high gear in the new year.
“In this environment, it’s crucial to put yourself in the best position,” says Flynn.
Conclusion
Deck Doctors, led by Golub and Flynn, redefine startup success with pitch decks mastery. From Happy Pillars funding triumph to their unique approach, their journey exemplifies innovation and commitment. As they enter a busy fundraising season, Deck Doctors remains a beacon for startups, navigating uncertainties with expertise and resilience.
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