The Five Slide Deck Pitch Competition
The Five Slide Pitch: Common Mistakes and Key Takeaways from the Gula Tech Adventures Pitch Competition
In the world of venture capital and startup fundraising, clarity is king. One of the most effective ways to communicate your vision to potential investors is through a concise, five-slide pitch deck. At Gula Tech Adventures, we regularly review startup presentations, and we continue to see the same mistakes being made. That inspired us to launch a light-hearted but educational video: "The Five Slide Pitch Deck Competition."
The video showcased a virtual competition featuring outlandish characters pitching their startup ideas. The goal? Follow the five-slide pitch format:
What problem do you solve?
How do you solve it?
What proof do you have that it works?
What is your ask?
What does success look like?
Each fictional contestant represented a real-world startup mistake. Here’s what they got wrong—and what you can learn from it.
1. Bigfoot: Starting with Market Size, Not the Problem
Bigfoot opened his pitch by citing travel industry statistics and how crowded his natural habitat was becoming. While this may sound impressive, it missed the mark.
Mistake: Jumping into market data without first explaining the core problem you solve. Investors generally already understand the market. They need to hear what specific problem you address within it.
Lesson: Lead with the pain point. If you can’t clearly articulate the problem you're solving in 1-2 sentences, your audience will be lost before you even get to your product.
2. Nation State Hacker 82: Overselling the Resume
This cyber-elite opened with a lengthy account of their clandestine past, dropping names and acronyms with abandon.
Mistake: Spending too much time on your personal background without connecting it to the problem or solution.
Lesson: Your credentials matter, but only as context. The spotlight belongs on the value proposition of your startup. Talk about yourself only as it pertains to your ability to solve the stated problem.
3. The Predator: Letting Prestige Eclipse Product
Predator tried to impress the panel with flashy board members and celebrity advisors but failed to mention the product.
Mistake: Substituting credibility by association for substance.
Lesson: Your network may open doors, but your solution must close the deal. Don’t let investor names, advisors, or partnerships be the star of your show.
4. Felix the Wizard: Withholding the How
Felix had a clear problem (high cost of magical crystal balls) and a compelling solution (affordable cubic zirconia alternatives). But he refused to explain how the tech worked.
Mistake: Not providing any technical insight into how the solution functions.
Lesson: You don’t need to disclose trade secrets, but you must provide enough clarity to show your solution is feasible. Investors want to believe your product works and scales.
5. The Boy Who Cried Wolf: Lacking Proof
McRaven McCloud gave a passionate pitch about the dangers of wolves and presented a detection solution, but he admitted to having no working prototype.
Mistake: Offering zero validation, even as sketches.
Lesson: Enthusiasm alone doesn’t inspire confidence. Whether it’s customer feedback, early sales, beta results, or even a compelling demo, investors want evidence your idea works in the real world.
6. The Wicked Witch: A Solid Pitch Derailed by a Wild Ask
The Wicked Witch nailed the problem, solution, and proof slides. Then she completely lost the audience with an absurd ask: a priest, a cabin, a gold-plated cauldron, and more.
Mistake: A confusing or unreasonable "ask" that distracts from an otherwise sound presentation.
Lesson: Be specific and grounded in your fundraising request. How much do you need? What will it fund? Avoid wish lists and focus on what moves the business forward.
7. Jane the Ghostbuster: The Perfect Five Slide Pitch
Finally, Jane Austin from Cyber Ghost Traps showed everyone how it's done. Her company solved a unique problem: cyber incidents caused by deceased IT admins haunting networks. Her solution combined EDR software and Vatican blessings. She had real-world results, a clear ask for $3 million, and a compelling vision to expand globally.
Why She Won:
Clear articulation of the problem.
Innovative, humorous, and plausible solution.
Specific, evidence-backed proof.
Defined fundraising goal.
Visionary yet achievable roadmap.
Lesson: Nail all five slides with confidence, clarity, and creativity, and you’ll stand out from the pack.
The Takeaway
Whether you're launching a cybersecurity company, a hardware startup, or even a magical enterprise, the fundamentals of pitching remain the same. Avoid these common missteps:
Don’t start with market size.
Don’t let your bio overshadow your product.
Don’t pitch the people around your startup instead of the startup itself.
Don’t be vague about your tech.
Don’t pitch an idea with zero traction.
Don’t ask for the moon unless you can show you’re building a rocket.
Instead, master the five-slide format:
Problem: Be specific, be real.
Solution: Show us how you fix it.
Proof: Give us reason to believe.
Ask: Tell us what you need and why.
Vision: Show us the world you’re building.
The next time you're preparing a pitch, whether for a seed round or a series B, remember: storytelling matters, but structure is everything. Use the five-slide format as your guide, and you’ll not only impress the judges—you just might win the deal.
Want more guidance on pitching, fundraising, and startup growth? Subscribe to the Gula Tech Adventures YouTube channel or connect with us on LinkedIn.