A few months ago, we wrote about the problems with the “pitch” for many entrepreneurs. Well, I regret to share that just because there are a few problems with this part of the fundraising process, it doesn’t mean you get to bypass it. There is a time and place for a solid pitch, and this article will outline a few actions and tools you can use to get started.
A Google search for “best VC pitch decks” will yield about 678,000 results in 0.37 seconds. To save you some time, below, you’ll find a few links to well-known firms and VCs and the pitch deck templates they promote. Each of these examples has its nuances, but there are many similarities:
- They’re short. Mark Twain is credited with saying, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” The same applies to the pitch deck. A long pitch deck packed with a ton of information is not a sign of your business prowess; it’s a sign that you don’t yet know how to distill the opportunity into short, understandable pieces of information. Spend the time needed to make it easy to consume for someone who is not an expert in your field.
- They cover key pieces of information. Problem/Solution, market size, traction, business model, and more. Investors look for key things as they evaluate their deals. Know what these decision factors are and make sure you address them. Further, these templates may not cover key things about your business. Don’t be limited by them. If there is something truly important, add it— but don’t go overboard and turn it into a 30-slide dissertation.
- They’re not standalone replacements for you. The pitch deck is a tool to complement the vision and opportunity behind the business. Ultimately, the investors will back the company because they believe in your business model, the opportunity, and—importantly—you. Make sure you know your stuff inside and out. Practice. Don’t jam all the details in the deck, but be prepared to dive into them when asked or have a strong appendix ready to go.
- They show what investors value. If the firm you’re meeting with has published its own pitch template or do’s and don’ts of the pitch—MAKE SURE YOU READ IT. You should generally follow their guidelines, with minimal updates to fit your business and market. Chances are that those templates are as much a reflection on how that firm processes information and makes decisions as it is a tool for your benefit—so keeping in line with their approach may just improve your odds of success.
To close, we’ll reference famed Silicon Valley entrepreneur, author, and VC, Guy Kawasaki, who writes correctly that “[t]he purpose of a pitch is to stimulate interest, not cover every aspect of your startup and bludgeon your audience into submission.” Guy continues that, simply put, “your objective is to generate enough interest to get a second meeting.”
No one is handing you a check after you make your pitch. The best outcome is moving into a process that includes term negotiations and due diligence, where the investor and founders learn more about each other. Ultimately, it’s the quality of your business that earns the investment, not the 15-20 minutes you get for your pitch deck. But, if you prepare thoughtfully, you’ll make the most of that time.
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A Letter from our President & Board Chair
At the Entrepreneurs’ Center, everything we do is driven by one goal: delivering real impact to the clients and communities we serve. Over the years, we’ve celebrated major milestones—but none more meaningful than the one we’re proud to share today.
Between 2017 and 2024, EC-supported businesses surpassed $1 billion in cumulative economic impact, measured through revenue generated, investment capital attracted, and grant funding secured.
That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of relentless work to make the Dayton Region one of the very best places to build a business—through bold programming, expanded access to capital, and a community that’s more connected than ever.
For high-growth, high-tech startups, we continue to lead the region’s Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Services Provider program. Today, we support more than 100 tech companies whose innovations are fueling job creation, attracting capital, and reshaping Dayton’s economic future. In 2025, our successes were recognized with a program extension through mid-2027.
At the same time, we remain equally committed to the small businesses that sustain and energize our communities. Through the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, we served more than 500 Main Street entrepreneurs in 2024, offering education, one-on-one advising, and support to access the funding they need to grow. We also deepened our role as a convener, hosting Dayton Startup Week and welcoming over 400 attendees and 80 speakers to share, learn, and connect.
2024 was also a breakout year for the Arcade Innovation Hub, our flagship innovation space. Now home to more than 160 member companies, The Hub Powered by PNC Bank has become the region’s most dynamic gathering place for entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives. This partnership between the University of Dayton’s Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Entrepreneurs’ Center is a powerful example of what’s possible when institutions work together to spark innovation.
From our earliest days as a startup incubator to today’s billion-dollar milestone, we’ve remained grounded in one mission: to build progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. The future we envisioned is now happening—and we’re just getting started.
We’re deeply grateful to our public and private partners, our community collaborators, and especially the hundreds of small business owners and startup founders who trust us to walk alongside them. This impact is yours, too.
We believe the next billion is already on its way.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
Water technology innovators often face additional challenges, including high initial capital costs, long adoption timelines, complex regulatory environments, and limited access to commercialization support tailored to the sector.
The SBIR/STTR Accelerator addresses these barriers and aims to support startup fundraising efforts by helping participants:
- Understand and navigate the federal funding landscape
- Develop compelling value propositions and commercialization strategies
- Identify market opportunities and competitive advantages
- Strengthen business planning and investor readiness
- Build actionable plans for pursuing SBIR/STTR funding
A Letter from our President & Board Chair
As we reflect on another year of bold ideas, resilient founders, and transformative growth, it’s our pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Impact Report for Entrepreneurs’ Center—the Region’s venture development leader.
In 2025, our team remained focused on our mission: to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial businesses across the Dayton region at every stage—from a good idea to a scaling business to a business attracting capital. Through targeted programming, expert mentorship, access to capital, and deep partnerships across the ecosystem, we continued to build a thriving environment where entrepreneurs can turn visionary ideas into economic engines for our community.
In 2024, we reported that our impact exceeded $1B since 2017. That momentum is not just continuing—it’s accelerating. In 2025 alone, EC-supported businesses generated more than $266M in economic impact, signaling a pace of growth that is compounding year-over-year.
These outcomes are more than numbers—they represent real stories of innovation, perseverance, and community reinvestment right here in Dayton. From high-growth technology startups to main-street businesses and neighborhood innovators, the entrepreneurs we serve are strengthening our regional economy and positioning Dayton as a hub for opportunity and progress.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our Board of Directors, our funders, investors, corporate partners, academic collaborators, and dedicated team. Your belief in the power of entrepreneurship fuels our impact across the Miami Valley and beyond.
We invite you to explore the full 2025 Annual Impact Report to see the depth of our programs, the success stories of the founders we are privileged to work with, and the forward momentum we’re building together.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we continue to power progress and prosperity in the Dayton Region.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
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