A fundraising ask slide titled “Support us” sends the wrong signal about power dynamics: it reads as needy, and neediness repels investors. Founders are looking for a business partner on eye level, and VCs need great investment opportunities as much as founders need money. The ask slide should simply state how much you raise and what for.
Recently I saw a pitch deck that ended with the fundraising ask.
The title of the slide was: „Support us”.
Just two words that can destroy everything.
Just two words that can make a compelling story that you told before forgotten.
Just two words that send fundamentally wrong signals about the power dynamics and your fundraising mindset.
„Support us” translates into:
„PLEASE HELP US, we’re dependent on you!”
You’re not looking for a donation.
You’re not looking for an investor to be kind enough to fund you.
That all repels investors.
You’re looking for a business partner on eye level.
You’re not needy.
You’re confident.
You know that investors need great investment opportunities.
Without investing, their money is worth nothing.
Look at VCs like money vendors. And validate them as you would validate vendors (all in a friendly and kind way, of course).
VCs need you as much as you need them.
So don’t say things that destroy these power dynamics.
VCs will turn their back immediately to founders who send needy signals.
I’m even not a fan of the classic „Join us on our journey”, „Join our round”, etc. that you see on so many fundraising ask slides.
Just let them know how much you’re raising and what for.
That’s it. No call to action to support you or join your round. At that point, you don’t even know if you want to ask them to join the round – you need to find out first if they are the right business partners for you.
This is one of the fundamental mindsets you need to get right when you fundraise.
Frequently asked questions
What should a pitch deck ask slide say?
Just how much you’re raising and what for. No call to action to support you or join your round.
Why is “Support us” a bad title for a fundraising ask slide?
It translates into “please help us, we’re dependent on you”. That signals neediness, and VCs turn their back on founders who send needy signals.
What is the right mindset towards VCs when fundraising?
Look for a business partner on eye level. Investors need great investment opportunities, because without investing their money is worth nothing. Look at VCs like money vendors and validate them as you would validate vendors, in a friendly and kind way.
Is “Join our round” a good call to action?
Iskender is not a fan of it either. At that point you don’t yet know if you want an investor in the round, because you first need to find out if they are the right business partner for you.
