HOW TO GUIDE

Problem Slide

We show you how to build a stunning problem side for your business pitch deck.

THE SLIDE EXPLAINED

Why you should have a problem slide in your pitch deck

If you ask entrepreneurs why they have founded their companies, you will be likely to receive answers like: "I wanted to make the world a better place." but even more often, the answer will be "I saw a problem and found a solution to it." And this is what it is all about. Entrepreneurship, at its core, is about solving problems.

In your pitch deck problem slide, you talk about the problem you are trying to solve and why this is relevant to the masses. A common way to explain the problem you encountered is to tell a short story about a real person that experienced the problem and why the person needs a solution to it. If you had the problem yourself, tell the story from your perspective.

It's all about getting your audience to understand the point of the problem slide in your pitch deck. You know it worked when you see the investors nodding their heads in agreement. It is essential to get the investors emotionally attached to your story. If you can establish an emotional connection, they are more likely to feel connected to you and your idea.

At this point in your pitch, you should always remember that investors are not your enemies. They want to finance ideas that solve real problems and work together with you towards a solution. So get them into your boat - it will help you a lot during the rest of the pitch!

If you are not solving a new problem, but change something about a former solution for an old problem, you may want to present the opportunity slide instead of the problem slide.

100+ Slide Pitch Deck Template - Download now!
INSTRUCTIONS

How you can build a killer problem slide

Content of the problem slide pitch deck

  • An easy to understand explanation of the problem you are addressing
  • Any numbers that show the relevance of the problem
01
Content of the pitch deck slide
Questions to answer with your pitch deck
02

Questions your slide answers

  • What is the problem?
  • How relevant is the problem?
  • What is the current solution for the problem?
  • Why does the problem exist?

Common Slide Mistakes

  • Describing the problem in a way that no one gets it (KISS = Keep it simple stupid)
  • Addressing a problem that is not relevant
  • Describing a problem with several solutions on the market
03
Common Mistakes in Pitch Deck Slides
How to design a nice pitch deck slide
04

Slide design

  • Use a clear and quickly readable font style in your problem solution pitch deck
  • Make sure to use high-resolution graphics
  • Keep the design simple
LOOKING AT THE PROS

Problem slide of AirBnB, WeWork and Mixpanel

The best problem slide pitch deck examples of unicorn companies summarize the problem they address in short but precise sentences. We recommend trying to summarize your problem within a single sentence - remember, you don't have that much time to convince your potential investor of how great your idea is. Being able to summarize your problem in one sentence shows that anybody (also your future customers) can understand that your product will improve the lives of others.

Additionally, if there is an opportunity to support the problem you want to show with photographs of people who experience the problem or images that convey supportive visual information to the problem slide, you should include them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write a problem slide of a pitch deck?

The problem slide in a pitch deck should briefly outline the problem your product or service is solving, and here’s how to write one in 4 steps:

  • Start with a 1–2 sentence description that's easy to understand.
  • Identify who this problem affects, specifying your target users.
  • If possible, you can include a shortlist of key pain points that these users experience due to this problem.
  • To underscore the importance of your solution, add any relevant statistics that highlight the prevalence of the problem.

These elements will help investors understand the problem's magnitude, your target audience, and why your solution is necessary.

How do you create a problem statement slide?

Creating a problem statement slide involves a few key steps outlined below:

  • First, define the problem clearly and concisely. Make it easy for your audience to grasp what the issue is.
  • Next, identify the scope of the problem. This involves explaining who it affects and how widespread it is.
  • It's important to keep the problem slide clear and brief to avoid overloading with information. Instead, focus on providing essential details in a digestible manner.
  • Lastly, provide context. This could be historical background, relevant statistics, or examples. This context will help your audience understand the problem's significance and the necessity for a solution.

How do you present a problem in slides?

Presenting a pitch deck problem slide effectively involves telling a compelling story.

Begin by clearly outlining the problem you're aiming to solve and why it's relevant to a broad audience. A powerful technique is to narrate a short, relatable story about a real individual experiencing this issue. This allows your audience to connect emotionally with the problem and better understand its impact.

Explain why this person—and, by extension, others—requires a solution to this problem. This storytelling approach makes the problem tangible, thus highlighting the importance of your proposed solution. Remember to keep it concise and engaging for maximum impact.

What is the 10/20/30 rule for a slide deck?

The 10/20/30 rule, developed by Guy Kawasaki, is a guideline for effective pitch deck problem presentations. The rule suggests that a presentation should consist of 10 slides, should not surpass 20 minutes in duration, and should use a font size of 30 points or above.

This approach encourages presenters to keep their content concise and straightforward, ensuring the audience remains engaged and the key messages are clearly conveyed. The 10 slides should cover all essential points, the 20-minute duration respects the audience's time and attention span, and the 30-point font ensures readability and emphasizes key points.

How many slides is a good pitch deck?

The ideal number of slides for a pitch deck should be around 10, as suggested by the 10/20/30 rule introduced by Guy Kawasaki.

What is the difference between a pitch deck and a slide deck?

A pitch deck and a slide deck are both collections of slides used to convey information, but they have different purposes.

A slide deck is a general term for a group of slides that are used to present information cohesively, often using software like PowerPoint. It can be used for various purposes, such as educational presentations or business reports.

On the other hand, a pitch deck is a specific type of slide deck that is designed to pitch a solution, idea, or product to potential investors or stakeholders. It is typically used when seeking financing or funding for a project or business venture. The goal of a pitch deck is to persuade and engage the audience, highlighting the value proposition, market opportunity, and potential return on investment.

Trusted by 3000+ founders

Ready to start your fundraise?

Notion Fundraising Template

Investor CRM

Pitch Deck Builder

Complete Style Guide

Download
Pitch Deck Template

100+ investor approved slides

Easy-to-Edit

Works in Powerpoint, Keynote, Slides

Beautiful Design

Download
StarTUP FUNDRAISING Bundle

Pitch Deck Template

Notion Fundraising Template

Financial Model Template

Fundraising Masterclass

Download
by BaseTemplates