This week’s Pitch Deck Teardown comes from the dynamic and bustling environment of CES in Las Vegas, where we’re exploring the slide deck that helped video analytics firm Qortex raise an impressive $10 million in seed funding. Utilizing cutting-edge AI technology, Qortex assists brands, media companies, and creators in identifying the most impactful moments to include ads in videos, resulting in maximum engagement. Trust us, this is one presentation you won’t want to miss.
So, without further introduction or commercial breaks, let’s dive right in!
Sending in Your Own Pitch Deck
Here at Pitch Deck Teardown, we’re always on the lookout for unique and innovative pitch decks to analyze and critique. If you’re interested in submitting your own for consideration, here’s how to submit your deck.
Slides included in this deck:
- Cover Slide
- Mission Statement
- Team Slide
- Market Size Slide
- Interstitial Slide: ‘Focus on the Media Sector’
- Solution Slide
- Product Slide
- Traction Slide
- Future Plans Slide
- Advisors Slide
- How it Works Slide
- Entry into Connected TV Space Slide
- Clients
As you can see, the slide deck is missing some key elements that are typically included in a comprehensive presentation, such as an “ask” slide, a slide outlining the use of funds, a problem statement, a go-to-market strategy, and a business model or pricing slide, among others. Frankly, we were surprised that Qortex was able to secure funding with such an incomplete deck. However, this serves as a good reminder that the pitch deck is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to fundraising. The conversations and supplemental materials you provide outside of the deck play a crucial role in the process as well.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the 13-slide deck Qortex has shared with us, with only their client list redacted.
Three Things We Love
Despite some glaring omissions, Qortex’s pitch deck does have some impressive slides that caught our attention. We had to dig deep, but we managed to find a few things about this deck that we truly admire:
- A Stellar Team of Advisors
A significant part of the fundraising process involves being able to address various scenarios and challenges, and even the most experienced founders may find themselves struggling at times. In these moments, it’s invaluable to have a notable group of advisors to turn to, whether it’s an advisory board or board of directors.
In this regard, Qortex has assembled an impressive lineup of resources, such as their board members:
- Former president of ABC Television and ABC Studios
- Powerhouse industry leader with a wealth of experience and expertise
- Dynamic startup advisors and masterminds behind Universal Sports Network
Aside from showcasing industry titans who support Qortex’s vision, this also serves as a clear indication of the company’s access to valuable insights and strategic guidance. It’s a savvy move to showcase the company’s media expertise, and it sets Qortex apart from the competition. Plus, having a diverse board with a range of experiences and connections can give a startup a competitive advantage and inspire confidence in potential investors.
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Don’t be afraid to fill in any knowledge or experience gaps with a strong board and lean on them for support and expertise.
- Show, Don’t Tell
Qortex demonstrates their ability to tell a compelling story by incorporating videos into their pitch deck, showcasing their innovative and cutting-edge product. This is a brilliant example of visual storytelling, as the videos highlight Qortex’s technology and its capabilities not just once, but three times throughout the presentation.
Slide 6 features a real-time glimpse into how Qortex identifies audience engagement and strategizes accordingly. Slide 7 takes it up a notch with another video that showcases the seamless integration of ads into the user experience. And on slide 12, Qortex features yet another video that solidifies their commitment to revolutionizing the technology and marketing industry.
You may wonder if this is overkill, but these videos effectively answer many questions about the product’s effectiveness and potential uses. It’s worth considering incorporating multimedia elements into your pitch deck to add depth and interest.
- A Rising Tide…
Qortex succeeds in demonstrating the tremendous potential for growth and profitability in the global video analytics market. This is crucial, as all investors want to see that a startup is operating in a lucrative space.
Unfortunately, this slide only tells part of the story. While it’s true that the market is expanding, Qortex leaves out vital information, such as their expected market share and potential growth trajectory.
The rest of this teardown will delve into three key areas where Qortex could improve and elevate their pitch, and we’ll also share their complete 13-slide deck for your review.
Three Things That Could Be Improved
In addition to the noticeable absence of key slides, there are also existing slides in Qortex’s pitch deck that need significant refinement. Here are our suggestions for how they could improve their deck and take their pitch to the next level:
- Incomplete Slides
As noted earlier, Qortex’s deck is missing several important slides that are typically included in a comprehensive presentation. These gaps make it challenging to understand the company’s full story and potential for growth. To make a stronger case to investors, Qortex should consider including these essential slides and fleshing them out with relevant data and information.
- Less is More
There are some slides in Qortex’s deck that feel cluttered and overwhelming, with too much information crammed onto one slide. This can make it difficult for viewers to absorb all the details and may take away from the main points the company is trying to make. We recommend streamlining these slides and focusing on one key message per slide to keep the presentation clean and easy to follow.
- Storytelling is Key
Qortex does a decent job of highlighting their product and its potential uses, but they could benefit from a more coherent and engaging narrative throughout their presentation. This could include a more detailed explanation of their mission and how their technology fits into the current market landscape. By crafting a compelling story, Qortex can better capture the attention and interest of potential investors.
Now that we’ve explored the highlights and opportunities for improvement, take a look at Qortex’s complete 13-slide pitch deck below for further analysis:
Qortex’s Full Pitch Deck
Remember, the pitch deck is just one aspect of the fundraising process. By incorporating multimedia elements, highlighting a strong board, and crafting a compelling narrative, Qortex can further elevate their pitch and secure even more funding for their innovative AI technology.
