Problem slide in a pitch deck
What it is, why it matters, and how to write it so investors instantly get it.
What is the problem slide?
This is where your pitch starts. If the problem isn't clear, urgent, and real, investors stop reading.
- State the core problem clearly
- Show why it needs solving now
- Ground it in data or real-world examples
- Hint at the business opportunity (quantified pain = potential gain)
This isn't the place to rant about a general industry issue or throw buzzwords. It's where you prove there's a pain worth paying to fix.
What investors look for
These are the exact criteria Pitchkit uses to evaluate your problem slide:
- Clear problem statement — Is the pain obvious, focused, and specific?
- Why this needs solving now — Is there urgency? Market shift? Cost of waiting?
- Specific examples and data — Are there proof points or anecdotes that make it real?
- Quantified impact — What's the cost, revenue loss, or operational drag of not solving this?
If any of these are missing, investors won't see the opportunity as worth their attention.
Good vs. bad examples
✅Strong
"Product-led saas companies lose up to 40% of users during onboarding. Most rely on generic walkthroughs or tickets. Mid-market cs teams lack time, tooling, and insight."
- Clear segment (product-led saas)
- Real data (40% loss)
- Reason to act (manual support costs time)
❌Weak
"Customer success is outdated. Ai is changing everything."
Common mistakes
- Too general: "Hiring is hard" tells you nothing. Be specific. Who's struggling? Why?
- Fluff instead of proof: Replace vague pain with quotes, stats, or real stories.
- Jargon overload: If an outsider can't understand it, you've already lost.
Best practices
- Anchor in urgency: What's broken now, not what might be.
- Use the customer's voice: Direct quotes are better than made-up summaries.
- One core problem: Focus. Don't shotgun a list of minor annoyances.
You want the investor to go: "Yes, this is real—and it sounds painful."
How Pitchkit helps
Pitchkit's problem slide builder walks you through:
- Crafting a clear, focused problem statement
- Injecting urgency with market context
- Adding examples and impact
You get instant section feedback based on the exact criteria investors use to judge pitches. No guesswork.
FAQs
- Do i need a stat to prove the problem? Yes. Doesn't have to be from Gartner. Internal data, early user quotes, or small surveys work.
- Can i include multiple problems? No. Anchor around one. Additional pain points can come later.
- Can i just use a quote on the slide? If it's strong and real—yes. Just make sure it's specific and clearly supports your case.