Here are some common pitch deck pet peeves that VCs report:

Too much text or bulletins, not enough visuals. Decks should tell the story visually.

Long decks over 20 slides. Keep it concise, at a maximum.

No executive summary. The first slide needs a clear overview.

Too much company history or background. Focus on the future opportunity.

Burying the ask. State funding is needed upfront; don't make them hunt for it.

Generic slides copied from others. Customize with your unique value props.

Lack of traction or metrics. Include KPIs, customer wins, and pilot program results.

No market sizing or opportunity analysis. Prove the problem and TAM.

Too many team bios all at once. Highlight 1–2 key founders.

No financial projections. Include, at minimum, a revenue model and assumptions.

Bad design or aesthetics. Slides should be clean, visually compelling layouts.

talking through slides word for word. Use them as prompts and make eye contact.

Going over time limits. Rehearse to hit 15 minutes or less.

Not answering questions directly. Come prepared to discuss this in depth.

Concise storytelling with data, visuals, and a clear ask are tops. Rehearse the deck presentation thoroughly.