If you’ve ever sat in on an investor pitch day, you’ll notice something quickly: after the fifth presentation, they all start to blur together. Slide after slide of revenue projections, bullet points, and charts. Everyone is saying they’ll be the “next big thing,” but only a few actually stand out.
So how does a startup make sure they aren’t just another deck on the pile?
The answer is simple: a pitch video.
Why Decks Alone Aren’t Enough
Pitch decks are important — they explain your business model, your numbers, and your growth strategy. But investors don’t just invest in spreadsheets. They invest in stories. They invest in people.
And that’s something a video does far better than a set of slides.
How a Pitch Video Makes the Difference
- Grabs Attention Instantly
A deck takes time to warm up. But a video? It connects from the very first frame. Investors immediately see your vision, your passion, and your product in action.
Example: When Dropbox was starting out, instead of writing a long manual or a technical paper, they put together a short, simple explainer video. That video didn’t just get attention — it helped them sign up tens of thousands of early users before they even launched fully.
- Turns Complex Ideas Into Simple Stories
Some startups are building products that are revolutionary but hard to explain in words. Maybe it’s blockchain, AI, biotech, or something highly technical. If you try to put that into slides, it often confuses more than it convinces.
But a video shows the impact directly.
Example: Imagine you’ve created a healthcare app that uses AI to detect illness earlier. In a pitch deck, you’d have graphs and algorithms. But in a video, you can show a patient using the app, getting a timely diagnosis, and living healthier. Suddenly, the technology feels human and real.
- Builds Emotional Connection
Numbers are important, but they don’t stir emotions. Investors need to believe in you as much as your product. A pitch video lets them see your face, hear your voice, and feel the passion that drives your startup.
Example: When Dollar Shave Club launched, they didn’t just write a business plan. They made a witty, straightforward video of their founder explaining why razors should be affordable. That single video went viral and transformed them into a household name, eventually selling to Unilever for $1 billion.
- Keeps Working Beyond the Meeting
Once the investor meeting is over, the deck often sits in an inbox or a forgotten folder. But a pitch video can be reused — on LinkedIn, in emails, on your website, even at events. It becomes a long-term marketing asset, not just a one-time presentation tool.
Example: Many startups now use their pitch video as a pinned post on their LinkedIn or company website. This way, anyone curious about their brand gets the story in under two minutes without reading through a slide deck.
