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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Theranos effectively frames the problem by targeting high costs and inefficiencies in the existing healthcare testing industry. They connect this systemic issue to the pain points of both pharmaceutical companies and individual patients, creating a broad and compelling case for disruption. This approach immediately establishes a large, relatable market need that investors look for.
Our Tip: Frame the problem around a clear enemy, like high costs or inefficiency, to create a simple and powerful narrative for investors to follow.
The pitch presents a solution that directly addresses the stated problems with a compelling value proposition: testing at 20-30% lower costs with 70% margins. They emphasize that their proprietary technology is difficult to replicate, which signals a strong, defensible moat to investors. The deck successfully links their innovative blood testing service to clear financial and operational benefits for their target market.
Our Tip: Clearly quantify your value proposition with specific numbers, like cost savings or efficiency gains, to make the benefits tangible and impressive.
Theranos positions itself as a category creator rather than just another competitor, focusing on its unique technology and first-mover advantage. By highlighting cost advantages and a solution that is hard to replicate, they build a narrative of market dominance. This strategy aims to convince investors that traditional players are irrelevant and that Theranos operates in a league of its own.
Our Tip: Position your company against the old way of doing things, not just direct competitors, to frame your solution as an inevitable evolution.
The deck heavily leverages the credibility of its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, and a star-studded advisory board including names like Larry Ellison. This serves as powerful social proof, especially when concrete traction metrics are light. For investors, a team with this level of influence and experience de-risks the investment and signals strong market connections.
Our Tip: Showcase high-profile advisors and investors on your team slide to build credibility by association, especially in the early stages.
Theranos sold a story of revolution, not just a product, by framing their mission against a clear enemy: the slow, expensive healthcare system. This narrative of inevitable disruption makes the investment feel like backing the future itself. Build your deck around a simple, powerful story that positions your company as the hero solving a major, relatable problem.
When early traction is light, perceived credibility becomes your most valuable asset. Theranos masterfully used a high-profile team and advisory board as social proof to de-risk the investment in investors' minds. Leverage the reputations of your team, advisors, and early backers to build confidence and create an aura of inevitability around your success.
