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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SmartRecruiters effectively frames the problem by detailing five specific flaws of traditional Applicant Tracking Systems, from poor candidate experience to a lack of data. This strategy works because it immediately establishes the high cost of the status quo for businesses, making the need for a new solution feel urgent. By focusing on the frustrations of both recruiters and hiring managers, they broaden the problem's impact and make a compelling case for change.
Our Tip: Frame the problem not just as a market gap but as a tangible, expensive pain point your target customer experiences daily.
The pitch presents the solution as a direct answer to each pain point, positioning SmartRecruiters as a unified, user-friendly platform. They differentiate by emphasizing a modern interface and a focus on candidate experience, which directly counters the "unwieldy" and "cumbersome" nature of legacy systems. This one-to-one mapping of problem-to-solution makes the value proposition incredibly clear and logical for an investor to follow.
Our Tip: Clearly demonstrate how your solution directly solves the specific problems you outlined, leaving no doubt about its value.
SmartRecruiters outlines a multi-channel go-to-market strategy that combines direct support with scalable education. Notice that their plan includes strategic consulting, ongoing training, and dedicated account management, which signals a commitment to customer success and retention. This comprehensive approach shows investors a clear plan for not just acquiring customers, but ensuring they are successful and remain long-term partners.
Our Tip: Present a go-to-market plan that covers customer acquisition, onboarding, and retention to show investors you have a sustainable growth model.
The deck uses a powerful and specific metric, "over 3,000 companies," as its core piece of social proof. This single data point serves as powerful validation, immediately answering an investor's question about market acceptance and product-market fit. While more detailed metrics are absent, this headline number is strong enough to build significant credibility and de-risk the investment opportunity.
Our Tip: Lead with your single most impressive traction metric to immediately establish credibility and prove market demand for your solution.
SmartRecruiters built a compelling narrative by first establishing the high cost of legacy systems and then positioning their platform as the direct, logical solution to each pain point. This one-to-one mapping makes the value proposition undeniable and easy for investors to grasp. In your own deck, ensure every feature you present directly solves a specific, expensive problem you have already established.
The deck de-risks the investment by presenting a comprehensive go-to-market strategy that covers acquisition, onboarding, and retention, proving they have a plan for long-term success. This, combined with strong social proof like their "3,000 companies" metric, builds immense credibility and signals a sustainable business model. Move beyond just your product and show investors a clear, multi-faceted plan for how you will grow and keep your customer base.
