This free eBook goes over the 10 slides every startup pitch deck has to include, based on what we learned from analyzing 500+ pitch decks, including those from Airbnb, Uber and Spotify.
Everything you need to raise funding for your startup, including 3,500+ investors, 7 tools, 18 templates and 3 learning resources.
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Awake Security effectively frames the problem around the operational failures of existing security tools, focusing on the inefficiencies of traditional SIEM systems and threats from unmanaged devices. This approach works because it targets known, expensive frustrations for enterprise security teams, making the pain feel both urgent and tangible. By emphasizing the need for “immediate time-to-value,” they directly address a major purchasing objection and position their solution as a practical remedy, not just another complex tool.
Our Tip: Frame the problem not just as an external threat, but as an internal, operational failure of current tools to build a stronger case for replacement.
The pitch deck presents the solution as a platform-as-a-service that directly addresses the stated pain points of digital forensics and threat hunting. Awake’s value proposition of “immediate time-to-value” is a powerful hook that contrasts sharply with the slow, cumbersome nature of the legacy systems they aim to displace. Mentioning patented technologies like EntityIQ and Adversarial Modeling serves as a critical differentiator, signaling to investors a defensible moat and a clear technological advantage.
Our Tip: Clearly connect your unique technology or features back to a core, quantifiable value proposition like speed, efficiency, or cost savings.
Awake Security confidently names large, established competitors like Cisco, RSA, and Darktrace, positioning itself as a superior alternative rather than shying away from the comparison. This strategy shows investors they understand the market landscape and have a clear plan to challenge incumbents on their home turf. By creating a distinct “us vs. them” narrative focused on immediate value and broader use cases, they effectively carve out their niche in a crowded market.
Our Tip: Tackle competition head-on by naming your top rivals and articulating precisely how your solution provides unique value in ways they cannot.
The deck showcases a complete C-suite with deep, relevant experience, including a CEO, Chief Architect, Chief Data Scientist, and VPs for every key function. For a complex technical product in cybersecurity, this slide builds immense credibility and de-risks the investment by proving the company has the required expertise to execute. The inclusion of a founding board member from a top-tier firm like Greylock provides powerful third-party validation that signals quality to other investors.
Our Tip: Present a complete leadership team with titles that map directly to core business functions to show investors you have thought through execution, not just vision.
Awake systematically builds investor confidence by showcasing a complete leadership team, patented technology, and backing from a top-tier firm like Greylock. This combination of execution expertise, a defensible moat, and elite social proof makes the investment feel less like a gamble and more like a calculated bet. Apply this by gathering concrete evidence of your team’s credibility, market validation, and technological advantages to answer investor doubts before they are even asked.
The deck creates a powerful "us vs. them" narrative, positioning Awake as the agile innovator against slow, ineffective incumbents like Cisco and RSA. This storytelling approach simplifies a complex market, making the investment case compelling and easy to grasp. To replicate this, define a clear enemy—whether it's a competitor, an outdated process, or a market inefficiency—and position your company as the definitive hero destined to win.
