Startups and venture capital rely on communication tools to bridge between entrepreneurs and potential investors. The ask slide is a unique element among the many slides that constitute a pitch deck. It is the slide where entrepreneurs request funding, outlining how much capital they need and how they intend to use it.
In this article, we will analyze the components required to build a successful ask slide for investors, the difference between an ask slide and a traction slide, and recommended ask slide PPT templates.
Table of Contents
- What is an Ask Slide in a Pitch Deck?
- Ask Slide vs. Traction Slide
- Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Ask Slide
- Common Mistakes in Designing an Ask Slide
- Recommended Ask Slide PowerPoint Templates
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What is an Ask Slide in a Pitch Deck?
An Ask Slide is a critical component of a pitch deck, typically presented to potential investors. On it, the entrepreneur or founder explicitly states the funding they seek and explains how the funds will be used to achieve specific business goals. It is the slide where the entrepreneur makes their formal request for investment, providing clear and compelling critical thinking for why the funding is needed and how it will drive the company’s growth.
Ask Slide vs. Traction Slide
While both the ask slide and the traction slide are essential components of a pitch deck, they serve very different purposes.
The traction slide is designed to showcase the company’s progress so far. It highlights key metrics such as revenue growth, user acquisition, partnerships, and other milestones demonstrating the company’s potential for success. The traction slide is about proving that the company is on the right track and has the potential to scale.
In contrast, the ask slide is forward-looking. In most cases, it outlines the future and explains how the company will use the investment to achieve its goals. While the traction slide is about demonstrating past and current success, the ask slide articulates a vision for the future and shows how the investment will help the company get there. The ask slide is not just about asking for money; it is about demonstrating why the investment is necessary and how it will be used to drive growth.
The ask slide is not limited to financial requests. Depending on the audience and the objective of the pitch, the ask slide can serve multiple purposes. For instance, an ask slide in a business presentation can be tailored to request strategic introductions to potential partners (seeking strategic partnerships), requesting mentorship & advisory support, accessing government grants or hire key talent that can accelerate growth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Ask Slide
In this section, we will provide a detailed step-by-step guide to creating an ask slide for a pitch deck that resonates with investors.
Step 1: Determine the Amount of Funding You Need
This slide’s core information comes from your business plan presentation or any other financial presentation file. It includes factors like the burn rate, the length of your runway, and the milestones you need to achieve before you raise another round of funding. It is also important to consider your company’s stage and the typical sum to be raised for companies at this stage. Asking for too much money can make investors skeptical while asking for too little leaves your business underfunded and unable to achieve goals.
Let’s now explain the calculations for burn rate, runway, and how to express them in graphics.
- Burn Rate: This is the rate at which your company is spending money each month. Calculate your monthly expenses, including salaries, marketing, product development, and operational costs.
- Use a pie chart with clear legends to break down your burn rate into categories. Contrasting colors can help the audience understand the total sum invested per area faster than percentages.
- Runway: This is how long your company can operate before running out of cash. Determine how much funding you need to extend your runway to a point where you can achieve significant milestones (e.g., 18-24 months is a common target).
- Use a timeline to show how the funds will be used over time. This also includes a Gantt chart or simpler horizontal timeline template options.
Step 2: Break Down the Use of Funds
Once you’ve determined the funding you need, the next critical step is determining how those funds will be used. This step is not just about listing categories of expenses; it’s about providing a transparent, detailed, and strategic investment allocation that demonstrates to investors exactly how their money will be put to work.
A well-structured breakdown of the use of funds is essential because it builds trust, shows accountability, and reinforces the credibility of your business plan. Investors want to see that you have a clear, thoughtful, and data-driven approach to spending their capital; this step is where you prove that. From a risk mitigation perspective, a clear breakdown helps investors understand how their money will be safeguarded. It shows that you’ve considered potential risks and have allocated funds to address them, such as setting aside a contingency budget.
Identify Key Categories
Start by identifying the major areas where the funds will be allocated. Common categories include:
- Product Development: Costs associated with building, testing, and improving your product or service. Specify whether the funds will go toward hiring engineers, purchasing software, or conducting user testing.
- Marketing and Sales: Expenses related to acquiring customers, building brand awareness, and driving revenue. Outline whether the budget will be spent on digital advertising, PR & link building, influencer partnerships, or trade shows.
- Hiring and Team Expansion: New team members’ salaries, benefits, and onboarding costs. Specify the roles you plan to fill (e.g., two software engineers, one marketing manager) and the associated costs.
- Operational Expenses: Day-to-day costs include office space, software, utilities, and administrative expenses.
- Contingency Fund: A buffer to account for unexpected costs or delays. Set a portion of the funds, like 10-20%, for this purpose and explain your potential strategies in a contingency plan.
Tie Expenses to Milestones
Link each category of spending to specific business milestones. For example:
- Allocating $500,000 to product development might be tied to launching a new feature within six months.
- Spending $300,000 on marketing might be tied to acquiring 50,000 new users within a year.
Graphical Elements to Represent the Use of Funds
A stacked bar graph can show how the funds will be allocated over time. Each bar represents a time period (e.g., months or quarters), and the segments within the bar represent different spending categories. This type of graph is beneficial for showing how spending priorities may shift over time.
Another option is to consider a table PPT template to provide a detailed breakdown of the use of funds. Use color coding to differentiate between categories and make the table visually appealing. For example:
- Use shades of blue for product development.
- Use shades of green for marketing.
- Use shades of orange for hiring.
Step 3: Highlight the Expected Outcomes
In addition to breaking down the use of funds, the ask slide should also highlight the expected outcomes of the investment. This is where you can demonstrate the potential return on investment (ROI) for the investors. For example, if you are seeking funding to launch a new product, you should outline the expected revenue growth the product will generate.
If you seek funding to expand into new markets, you should provide projections for the increase in market share that the expansion will bring. Tying the funding request to specific results demonstrates that every dollar invested will contribute to measurable growth. This alignment helps investors see the direct impact of their investment.
When highlighting the expected outcomes, it is essential to be realistic and to base your projections on data and market research. Investors will be skeptical of overly optimistic predictions, so it is crucial to provide a clear and realistic picture of the potential outcomes of the investment.
How to Define and Present Expected Outcomes
Start by defining measurable outcomes that the investment will enable. These should be specific, time-bound, and realistic. Examples include:
- Revenue growth: “Generate $5 million in annual revenue within 18 months.”
- User acquisition: “Acquire 500,000 active users within the first year.”
- Market expansion: “Enter three new markets and capture 10% market share within two years.”
- Product milestones: “Launch two new product features within six months.”
Focus on milestones that demonstrate progress and growth. These could include:
- Achieving profitability.
- Reaching a specific valuation.
- Securing partnerships or distribution channels.
- Expanding into new geographic regions.
Remember, while short-term outcomes are important, potential investors seek to understand the long-term impact of the investment, depending on the industry.
Graphical Elements to Represent Expected Outcomes
While all this financial data can feel overwhelming to the common user, investors are accustomed to visualizing this kind of information. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push to create an engaging presentation out of it, so consider the following graphical recommendations to improve your presentation’s performance.
Use line charts, bar graphs, or area charts to visualize growth metrics such as revenue, user acquisition, or market share. For example:
- A line chart showing projected revenue growth over the next 18 months.
- A bar graph compares current and projected user numbers after the investment.
You can create a visual roadmap that ties the funding to specific milestones. Use PPT icons or vector images as visual cues to represent each milestone.
Comparison charts are ideal for presenting a side-by-side comparison between the business’s current state and its projected state after the investment. And, if any of these options don’t seem appealing enough, aim for an infographic that visually summarizes the expected outcomes.
Step 4: Address Potential Risk
No investment is without risk; addressing potential risks on the ask slide is essential. This shows investors that you have a realistic understanding of your business’s challenges and a plan for mitigating those risks. For example, if you seek funding to launch a new product, you should address the potential risks associated with product development, such as delays or technical challenges.
A risk matrix is a common graphical element that maps risks on a grid with axes representing likelihood and impact. The matrix allows the audience to visualize which risks require immediate attention and which are lower priority. In addition, bar charts or tables can quantify the risk factors and compare them against benchmarks or historical data.
Including timelines or Gantt charts helps demonstrate when risk mitigation actions will be implemented and provides a clear overview of progress. Color-coded icons or symbols can indicate the severity of each risk, ensuring that critical information is easily distinguishable.
Common Mistakes in Designing an Ask Slide
While the steps and considerations outlined above can help you create an effective ask slide, there are also common mistakes that entrepreneurs often make when crafting their ask slide. These mistakes can undermine the effectiveness of your ask and make it less likely that investors will be willing to invest in your company. Below are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when creating an ask slide.
Mistake #1: Asking for Too Much or Too Little
One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when creating an ask slide is asking for too much or too little funding. Asking for too much funding can make investors skeptical and may lead them to question your understanding of your business’s financial needs. On the other hand, asking for too little funding can leave you underfunded and unable to achieve your goals.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to carefully calculate the funding you need based on a thorough understanding of your business’s financial needs. This includes considering factors such as your burn rate, the length of your runway, and the milestones you need to achieve before you can raise another round of funding. It is also essential to be realistic about the amount of funding typical for companies at your stage and to be prepared to justify the amount you are asking for with a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be used.
Mistake #2: Failing to Justify the Ask
Another common mistake entrepreneurs make when creating an ask slide is failing to justify the ask. Simply stating the amount of funding you are seeking is not enough; you need to provide a clear and compelling rationale for why you need that amount and how it will be used. This means breaking down the use of funds into specific categories, such as product development, marketing, sales, hiring, and operational expenses, and providing a detailed explanation of how each category will contribute to the growth of the business.
To avoid this mistake, it is vital to be as specific as possible when breaking down the use of funds. For example, instead of simply stating that a portion of the funds will be used for marketing, provide details on the specific marketing channels you plan to invest in, such as digital advertising, content marketing, or events. This level of detail will help investors understand how their money will be used and demonstrate that you have a clear plan for achieving your goals.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Potential Risks
Risks are at every corner whenever we take the entrepreneurial route, and ignoring this fact not only speaks of a lack of preparedness but also an incredibly childish view of business as a whole.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to be transparent about the potential risks associated with your business and to provide a clear plan for mitigating those risks. This could include strategies for addressing delays in product development, challenges in user acquisition, or competition from established players in the market. By addressing potential risks and providing a clear plan for mitigating them, you can build trust with investors and demonstrate a realistic understanding of your business’s challenges.
Mistake #4: Not Making an Impact on the Ask
Finally, we need to stress the importance of being bold and proactive when asking for funding. It’s not like you’re begging for money; you made your case clear, including the funding required, the allocation for that sum, and the potential risks. Now is the chance to use a great presentation hook and close the deal in style. Check our guide on how to end a presentation for powerful techniques you can implement to increase your success rate.
Mistake #5: Believing You Just Need ONE Slide
Unlike what most people think, speaking about the “ask slide” doesn’t imply that all your content has to fit inside one slide, squeezed and incomprehensible. You can use more than one slide, especially if it helps your narrative, but of course, don’t go overboard and create, say, twelve slides to deliver a 3-minute speech. It’s all about balance. If you want to stick to a one-pager, use a dashboard for faster visualization.
Recommended Ask Slide PowerPoint Templates
1. Executive Ask Slide Deck for PowerPoint & Google Slides
Maximize your funding potential with this pitch deck PPT template. It includes a dedicated “Ask” slide to present your investment request effectively. This template is perfect for business meetings and helps professionals clearly outline their business model, market opportunity, and financial projections. You can tailor the presentation with editable charts, graphs, and images to highlight key metrics and attract investor interest. Secure the funding you need for scaling by making a powerful impression with this ready-to-use template.
2. Ask Slide Professional Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template
The Ask Slide Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template is designed to help you secure investment by effectively presenting your business. With a dedicated “Investment Ask” slide, this template allows entrepreneurs to clearly outline funding needs while showcasing company achievements, financials, and growth plans. The customizable design includes professional visuals, charts, and data-driven slides to support your narrative. Perfect for investor meetings, it enables you to communicate your value proposition and attract funding for scaling your business. Download and personalize today!
3. Investment Pitch Book PowerPoint Template
Transform your investment pitch with the Investment Pitch Book PowerPoint Template. Beyond a traditional ask slide, this template empowers you to weave a compelling narrative that leads seamlessly into your investment request. From market analysis to growth strategy, each slide is designed to position your business as a prime opportunity for funding. Use dynamic infographics, charts, and financial data visualizations to captivate investors and clearly outline the potential returns, making you ask the natural conclusion of a well-crafted story. Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking funding, this fully editable template lets you tailor every detail. Download now to impress investors!
4. Corporate Ask Slide Presentation Deck Template
Present your market opportunities, growth strategies, and financial projections with customizable charts, infographics, and dynamic slides. Each section guides you to emphasize your business’s potential, making your investment ask an undeniable conclusion. Fully editable and compatible across platforms, it allows you to create a tailored pitch that leaves a lasting impression. Download now and get started!
FAQs
To optimize the ask slide, define a clear headline stating the funding request and outlining the monetary figure with related equity details. Organize the content using bullet points or tables to break down fund allocation by category (e.g., product development, market expansion). Incorporate visual aids such as charts or icons to illustrate financial projections and milestones while avoiding unnecessary text. Maintain consistency with the overall design of the pitch deck so that the slide remains uncluttered and focused on the essential data, enabling investors to understand the value proposition quickly.
An effective ask slide pitch deck must clearly articulate the total funding required and how these funds will be allocated to meet strategic goals. Start by detailing the capital requirement alongside a usage breakdown, such as R&D, marketing, or operations. Include milestones with measurable targets that link the financial ask to growth objectives. Supporting data, such as market research or historical performance figures, should be integrated to justify the projections. This strategy helps align investor expectations by demonstrating a clear connection between the funding request and the long-term business plan, fostering transparency and credibility.
Integrating key performance indicators (KPIs) on a pitch deck ask slide requires selecting metrics that directly support your funding objectives. Choose indicators such as revenue growth, customer acquisition cost, and lifetime value and present them using clear charts or tables. Each KPI should be accompanied by current performance data and future targets, with brief annotations explaining their relevance to the funding needs. This method of data presentation not only validates the financial ask but provides a structured, evidence-based argument for how additional investment will drive measurable business improvements, thereby maintaining clarity and focus for investors.
Customizing an ask slide template requires tailoring content and design elements to fit industry-specific standards and investor expectations. Replace generic placeholders with targeted financial data and allocate sections that address industry-relevant risks and opportunities. Adjust the visual elements—icons, charts, and color schemes—to reflect the norms and branding within the specific sector. Additionally, modify the language to suit the technical background of the investor audience while avoiding unnecessary jargon.
Adjusting an ask slide example to account for previous funding rounds involves summarizing past capital usage and its impact on business growth. Detail how earlier investments contributed to product development or market penetration milestones. Update the slide with current market trends and revised financial projections that reflect recent performance and future challenges. Incorporate comparative charts or timelines that show a progression of funding needs and outcomes. This historical context, combined with an analysis of evolving market conditions, provides a robust framework that justifies the current funding request and underscores a consistent growth strategy.
Conclusion
The ask slide is a key element of your pitch deck that directly communicates your funding needs and supports a clear, data-driven growth strategy. It is not a casual conversation starter but a precise financial request detailing the amount required, the allocation of funds across specific business areas, and the milestones each expenditure is expected to achieve.
This slide encapsulates your strategic planning by demonstrating how investment translates into measurable outcomes while addressing potential risks. By clearly and organizedly laying out your funding requirements, you provide investors with a concrete understanding of your business trajectory and the rationale behind your capital request.
