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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.

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The Perfect Pitch Deck

The Pitch Deck Sonder Used to Raise $225M

Updated: 
October 24, 2025
 | 
Pitch Decks

Description

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Description

CTA
Sonder
Sonder
Sonder provides apartment-style stays, combining the comfort of home with the service of a hotel.
Industry:
Hospitality, Travel, Proptech, Real Estate
Business Model:
Marketplace
Customer:
C2C
Round:
Late Stage
Amount Raised:
$225M
Investor:
VC
Year:
2019

Sonder Pitch Deck Breakdown

Problem & Pain Points

Sonder frames the problem by targeting inefficiencies within the broader hospitality industry, such as high operating costs and outdated communication methods. They articulate specific pain points like reliance on phone calls and scaling difficulties, which makes the problem feel tangible and urgent. This strategy effectively positions the traditional hotel model as broken and in desperate need of a technological overhaul.

Our Tip:Clearly define the industry-wide problem and then drill down into specific, relatable pain points to create an emotional connection with investors.

Solution & Value Proposition

The pitch deck presents a technology-driven solution that directly counters the previously mentioned problems with features like automated messaging and guest self-service. Their value proposition is a powerful trifecta of enhanced guest experiences, lower operating costs, and a highly scalable model. This demonstrates a clear and logical fit between the problem and their proposed solution, which is critical for investor buy-in.

Our Tip:Frame your solution not as a list of features, but as a set of direct benefits that solve the customer's primary pain points.

Business Model

Sonder’s business model smartly connects improved guest experiences directly to increased occupancy rates and revenue. The model's strength lies in its dual focus on top-line growth through superior service and bottom-line savings from operational efficiencies and partnerships. This approach shows investors a clear path to profitability and improved cash flow, de-risking the financial projections.

Our Tip:Present a business model that clearly illustrates how your core value proposition translates into a scalable and profitable revenue stream.

Team & Advisors

The team slide is a major credibility builder, showcasing a senior leadership team with experience from highly respected companies like Tesla. Each executive’s background in areas like finance, operations, and product is directly relevant to the company's mission. This signals to investors that Sonder has the expert leadership required to navigate the complexities of scaling within the hospitality industry.

Our Tip:Feature team members whose past successes and specific expertise directly align with the key challenges your business will face.


Lessons Learned from Sonder Pitch Deck

Weave a Compelling Narrative

Sonder’s pitch deck excels by telling a cohesive story, connecting the industry's problems directly to their tech-driven solution and profitable business model. This narrative structure makes the investment thesis feel logical and inevitable. Apply this by ensuring your deck flows from one section to the next, building a clear and compelling case for your company.

Proactively Build Credibility

The deck systematically builds investor confidence by showcasing a team with highly relevant experience and a business model that de-risks financial projections. This transforms ambitious goals into a believable plan for execution and profitability. Build credibility in your own deck by highlighting your team's specific expertise and clearly linking your value proposition to a viable revenue model.

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