Venture capital firms review thousands of pitch decks annually, and investors typically spend just two to three minutes on each one. Only 5% to 10% of pitch decks turn into meetings, while the rest are rejected, according to data from DocSend.

As a pre-seed investor, I’ve gone through thousands of decks and even automated part of the process with an AI tool that helps founders get quick feedback. Through these experiences and conversations with other investors, I’ve learned that certain pitch deck mistakes, or “sins,” are especially common among seed and pre-seed founders. Avoiding these errors will significantly increase your chances of getting a meeting with a VC rather than ending up in the rejection pile.

Here are the 7 deadly pitch deck sins you should avoid:

1. Hiding the Team

Early-stage startups often evolve, but the team rarely changes. Founders are the backbone of the business, and investors care about the people behind the idea. Don’t hide the team slide at the end of your deck—highlight your team’s strengths upfront to build credibility.

2. Overcomplicating the Product Description

Pitch decks should show, not just tell. Investors are generalists compared to founders and need clear, simple explanations. Avoid dense text and over-explaining. The more easily you can demonstrate your product, the better your chances of making a strong impression.

3. Skimping on Design

Design matters more than you might think. A cluttered, inconsistent deck can make investors question your attention to detail and how you’ll handle your business. A simple, clean design isn’t flashy, but it will keep the focus where it should be: on your vision.

4. Skipping the Market Size

Estimating market size is tricky, but it’s an essential part of your pitch. Skipping this or throwing out numbers without context will hurt your credibility. Show that you understand the market, even if your numbers aren’t perfect.

5. Making Weak Claims or Unrealistic Projections

Overly cautious projections make it seem like you lack confidence, while wild forecasts can raise doubts about your understanding of the market. Aim for a balanced approach. Make strong, but reasonable claims to instill confidence in your potential.

6. Using Generic Competitor Analysis

The competitor analysis slide is your chance to stand out. Avoid generic feature checklists or overly simplistic comparisons. Investors care about how you differentiate yourself and how you’ll stay ahead of the competition. Offer insight into your long-term strategy to make this slide impactful.

7. Focusing Only on Facts, Not the Story

At the seed stage, investors are buying into your vision, not just your numbers. If your pitch deck is full of dry metrics and projections, it might fail to connect. Instead, tell a compelling story. Use personal experiences or customer insights to make your vision come to life and inspire your audience.

By avoiding these 7 deadly pitch deck sins, you’ll significantly improve your chances of moving forward with a VC meeting. Keep your deck simple, focused, and engaging to capture the investor’s attention and imagination.