The Sequoia Capital Pitch Deck

Learn how to create a compelling pitch deck following Sequoia’s proven framework & access Sequoia's Pitch Deck Template

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When it comes to pitching investors, capturing their attention fast is everything. Sequoia’s classic pitch deck framework has guided countless founders to success.

Why Sequoia’s Approach Works

Imagine you have a 60-minute meeting with an investor. Don’t assume you’ve got 60 minutes of their full attention.

According to Sequoia, you only truly “earn” attention in the first 5 minutes.

Use that time to hook them with what’s changed in the world, what you do, and why it matters right now.

Once they’re on the edge of their seat, the rest of your deck helps them see the full picture.

The Art of Storytelling

Don Valentine, the founder of Sequoia Capital, often emphasized that great storytelling is at the heart of successful companies.

He believed that a founder’s ability to clearly communicate their vision—why the product matters, why now, and why this team—is what transforms a mere idea into something investors and customers can believe in.

According to Valentine, it’s not just the numbers or the product features that matter, but the narrative that ties it all together, helping people understand the opportunity and feel compelled to join the journey.

In his view, a strong story builds trust, inspires confidence, and ultimately makes the difference between a pitch that gets forgotten and one that sparks action.

The Recommended Structure

To keep it simple, here’s the order Sequoia suggests for your deck:

1. Company Purpose: Start strong. Clarify what you’re all about and why anyone should care.

2. Problem: Show the real, tangible issue that needs solving. If they don’t believe it’s broken, they won’t buy your solution.

3. Solution: Introduce what you’re building (screenshots or a quick demo can help bring it to life).

4. Why Now: Highlight the market shift or innovation that makes this the perfect moment for your startup.

5. Market Size: Make it crystal clear there’s a big opportunity. Show how many potential customers exist and how valuable they are.

6. Competition: Don’t hide from it. Identify your competitors and explain how you stand out.

7. Product: Dive deeper into what you’ve built and how it actually works.

8. Business Model: Explain how you’ll make money. Don’t overcomplicate it—just give a clear path to revenue.

9. Team: Investors bet on people. Prove you’ve got the right group of founders and talent to pull this off.

10. Financials: Keep it simple. Show how you’ll use the capital, who you’ll hire, and what milestones you’ll hit.

The Figma Template

Access a pitch deck template based on Sequoia’s guidance in Figma. This premium resource is designed to help you apply these principles in a clean, concise way. You’ll save hours tinkering with slides and focus instead on perfecting your story.

Want the Template?
Subscribe to get the Figma template behind the premium plan, or try it out with the free trial. No pressure—if it’s not your thing, you can bail anytime. But if you’re serious about making your pitch stand out, this could be your secret weapon.