Maximilian Fleitmann, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member primarily based in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, is the CEO of BaseTemplates and Partner at Richmond View Ventures. He has raised venture capital for his startups, helped hundreds of founders craft their pitch decks and fundraising strategy, and invested as a business angel. We asked him how founders can create the perfect pitch deck for their company. Here is what he shared:

During my career, I pitched my business hundreds of times—sometimes to friends and family, sometimes to customers, and sometimes to potential investors. I can do this in my sleep. Over time, I have refined every word I am saying at least twenty times. 

Some of these pitches were very informal, sitting at the bar or walking around. But others were in front of huge audiences with everything at stake. And by everything I mean: “Will I get funding so that I can keep my business alive?”

For many of these pitches, it made sense to complement the words with a nice presentation—called a pitch deck. Most people think creating a pitch deck is only relevant if you are trying to raise funds from investors but in my experience, every company should have one.

Over the last few years, I have built hundreds of pitch decks for successful entrepreneurs and my own companies. I love to break down a whole business into just a couple of slides that make the viewer say, “Yeah. Understood. Amazing business!” Today I am sharing my five quick steps to building the perfect pitch deck.

1. Identify the core of your business

As an entrepreneur, you know your business best. But have you ever thought about how you could explain it to someone in the simplest way and simultaneously make them excited?