The article is a critique of WayRay’s pitch deck, which was used to raise $80 million in funding at a valuation of $500 million. The author, Haje Jan Kamps, provides an in-depth analysis of the deck’s strengths and weaknesses.
Here are some key points from the article:
Criticisms:
- Lack of focus: The pitch deck appears unfocused, with too many ideas and not enough emphasis on a single vision.
- Poor storytelling: There is no compelling narrative or story that explains why WayRay’s technology is unique and valuable.
- Insufficient demo: No video demonstration of the technology in action was provided, which makes it hard to understand how the product works.
- Defensive tone: The deck comes across as defensive, suggesting that there may have been pushback from investors during the fundraising process.
Strengths:
- Cool tech: WayRay’s augmented reality head-up display (HUD) technology is impressive and has potential for significant impact in the automotive industry.
- Strong valuation: Raising $80 million at a valuation of $500 million suggests that investors believe in the company’s future potential.
Conclusion:
While Haje acknowledges that he may not be an expert in WayRay’s specific area of focus, he believes that the pitch deck could have been improved with a stronger narrative and more emphasis on demonstrating the technology. However, since the company was able to raise significant funding at a high valuation, it’s likely that the deck ultimately resonated with investors.
Overall, this article is a useful example of how to critique a pitch deck, highlighting key areas for improvement and providing insights into what makes a successful pitch deck.