Pitching is one of the hardest yet most crucial parts of building a startup. You may have a revolutionary product or a visionary team — but if you can’t communicate it clearly, investors won’t connect. That’s exactly why Guy Kawasaki, a well-known venture capitalist and former Apple evangelist, introduced the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint — a formula that keeps presentations sharp, focused, and persuasive.

🔟 10 Slides — Less is More

Your pitch deck should contain no more than ten slides. This might feel restrictive at first, but it forces clarity and discipline. Each slide should earn its place and tell a part of your story.

Here’s the classic structure Kawasaki recommends:

1. Title

2. Problem / Opportunity

3. Value Proposition

4. Underlying Magic (Your Product or Technology)

5. Business Model

6. Go-to-Market Plan

7. Competitive Landscape

8. Management Team

9. Financial Projections

10. Current Status & Timeline

With this format, you cover all the essentials without overwhelming your audience. Remember — investors see hundreds of decks every year. Brevity is your best differentiator.

🕒 20 Minutes — Respect Their Time

Even if you’re given a full hour to present, aim to deliver in 20 minutes or less. Why? Because tech setups fail, Q&A sessions take time, and attention spans are short.

By keeping it concise, you demonstrate that you respect the investor’s time and can communicate efficiently — two traits every successful founder needs.

A clear, 20-minute pitch gives you space for a meaningful discussion afterward, which is often where the real interest develops.

🔠 30-Point Font — Clarity Over Clutter

The third part of the rule is all about design. Use a minimum of 30-point font for any text on your slides.

If you find yourself reducing the font size to fit everything in, that’s a sign you’re saying too much. Investors should be able to read your slides easily from the back of a room, or while half-listening during a Zoom call.

Visual simplicity communicates confidence. Avoid paragraphs — use short, bold statements and visuals that reinforce your key points.

💡 Why This Rule Works

The 10/20/30 Rule is powerful because it aligns with how people actually process information:

• Ten slides are easy to remember.

• Twenty minutes fits comfortably in short meetings.

• Thirty-point font ensures your visuals support your story, not compete with it.

Ultimately, it’s not about sticking to an exact number — it’s about staying concise, visual, and human.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Keep your pitch short, simple, and visual.

• Focus on the core story: problem, solution, market, traction, and team.

• Don’t overwhelm — inspire confidence and clarity.

💬 Final Thought

Investors don’t invest in decks — they invest in people and clarity of vision.
The 10/20/30 Rule isn’t just about presentation slides; it’s about mindset.
If you can’t explain your startup simply, it might not be simple enough yet.

In short:

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein