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LearnSlidesTraction

Traction slide in a pitch deck

Show real proof that something is working.

Last updated: 2025-01-07

What this slide must prove

This slide proves that your idea is not just a hypothesis. Real people are using, paying, or engaging with what you built.

  • Evidence of market pull
  • Growth momentum
  • Retention or engagement signals
  • Progression over time

No traction slide is a red flag. Even early, show what you have: waitlist, pilots, LOIs, engagement.

What investors look for

Criteria used in real pitch reviews:

1

Real numbers

Actual metrics, not projections. Revenue, users, growth rate.

2

Growth trend

Is it growing? Week over week or month over month improvement.

3

Retention signals

Are users coming back? Engagement depth matters.

4

Stage-appropriate proof

Pre-seed: signals. Seed: real usage. Series A: revenue.

Investors can tell when you are hiding the real numbers. Be honest about what you have.

Strong vs weak signals

Strong signal

"$28K MRR, 40% month-over-month growth. 85% logo retention at 6 months. 12 paying customers, 3 in expansion conversations. Pipeline: $180K in qualified opportunities."

  • Specific metrics
  • Growth trajectory
  • Retention proof
  • Pipeline visibility
Weak signal

"Strong interest from the market. Over 1,000 signups. Multiple enterprise conversations in progress."

  • Vague interest
  • Vanity metrics
  • No conversion data

Common failure patterns

  • Vanity metrics: Signups without activation, downloads without usage.
  • Hiding the real numbers: Percentages without baselines look suspicious.
  • Flat growth: If growth stalled, explain why and what you are doing about it.

Quality criteria

  • Show progression: Charts that go up and to the right, even if numbers are small.
  • Be specific: Exact numbers, exact dates, exact comparisons.
  • Match your stage: Do not apologize for early-stage numbers. Just show momentum.

Target reaction: "Something is working here. This is worth learning more about."

How Pitchkit helps

Pitchkit traction slide builder helps you:

  • Structure metrics for maximum impact
  • Identify the right proof points for your stage
  • Present growth trajectory compellingly

You get feedback on whether your traction is presented effectively.

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FAQs

Traction slide by stage

What is expected changes as you raise more:

Angel pitch deckPre-seed pitch deckSeed pitch deckSeries A pitch deck
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Related slides

Solution slideMarket slideFinancials slideTeam slide
On this page
  • What this slide must prove
  • What investors look for
  • Strong vs weak signals
  • Common failure patterns
  • Quality criteria
  • How Pitchkit helps
  • FAQs
  • Traction slide by stage
  • Related slides