The thank-you slide is a critical yet often overlooked part of a pitch deck. As the final slide, it represents the last impression investors will have of your presentation. A well-crafted thank-you slide leaves a professional and polished closing note, reinforces your brand, and provides investors with the information they need to follow up or take the next steps.
Why the thank you, slide matters
The thank you slide is essential because it helps create enduring highlights. A professional closing slide demonstrates your attention to detail while respecting audience time.
The closing slide creates a powerful ending that results in a firm conclusion for your presentation. Precise contact information and clear calls to action allow investors to contact you easily through this closing slide.
Investor expectations
A professional thank you slide should meet the following investor expectations:
- Clarity and conciseness: Keep the message brief and to the point while conveying appreciation.
- Next steps and follow-up: Include a clear call to action that encourages investors to continue the conversation or schedule a follow-up.
- Professional design: The slide should align with the pitch deck's overall branding and design, creating a cohesive experience.
What this article covers
- The purpose of a thank you slide and its role in a pitch deck.
- A breakdown of the key elements, such as a thank you message, contact details, and call to action.
- Tips on designing a visually appealing thank you slide that aligns with your branding.
- Discuss common mistakes and best practices to ensure the slide is professional and effective.
- Examples of well-executed thank you slides to inspire your design and approach.
Who this article is for
This article is for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business strategists preparing investor pitch decks and ensuring their presentation ends on a high note. Whether you're raising pre-seed, seed, or Series A funding, this guide will help you craft a thank you slide that stands out.
What is a thank you slide?
A thank-you slide is the last slide in a pitch deck. It signals the end of the presentation, leaving investors with a polished and professional impression. The purpose of this slide is to provide a courteous closing message, facilitate follow-ups, and outline the next steps for continuing the conversation.
The thank you slide is also known as the closing slide or final slide.
It serves to:
- Signal the end of your presentation with a professional closing message.
- Leave investors with a polished impression of your pitch.
- Provide a straightforward way to continue the conversation by outlining the next steps or contact details.
Where it fits in a pitch deck
The thank-you slide is always the final slide, placed immediately after sections like the use of proceeds or a Q&A slide. It seamlessly transitions from the structured presentation to open discussions, follow-up questions, and the next steps.
What investors expect to see
Investors anticipate three key elements on a thank you slide:
- A brief and professional thank you message to express appreciation for their time and consideration.
- Contact details such as email, phone number, or website to ensure follow-ups are easy and accessible.
- A clear call to action (CTA) encourages the next steps, such as scheduling a meeting, continuing the discussion, or accessing additional materials.
Why the thank you slide is essential for investor engagement
Your thank you slide affects how investors see your professionalism while creating natural follow-up opportunities for contacting them post-presentation. It is not just a formality—it directly impacts investor perception and facilitates further action.
A well-crafted thank you slide ensures that investors leave the presentation with a positive impression and a clear path for the next steps, improving your chances of securing their interest and follow-up discussions.
Key investor questions the slide must answer
A strong thank you slide addresses these key questions that investors have at the end of a pitch:
- How can investors follow up or contact the founders?
Precise contact details, such as an email address or phone number, ensure investors can easily reach out for discussions or follow-ups.
- What are the next steps after the pitch?
The slide should include a call to action, such as scheduling a meeting, providing feedback, or accessing additional materials.
- Is there a straightforward way to continue the conversation?
Including links to resources like a financial model, demo, or investor portal encourages investors to stay engaged with your business.
Common investor concerns
A poorly executed thank you slide can lead to disengagement or confusion. Avoid these common issues:
- No contact information provided: Lack of follow-up methods can cause investors to lose attention when dealing with possible contact obstacles.
- A weak or abrupt ending: Failing to close the pitch professionally can leave a bad impression and make the presentation feel incomplete.
- Overloading the slide with too much text: Investors prefer a clean, concise slide that clearly focuses on the call to action and contact details.
Components of a professional closing slide
A well-crafted thank you slide, or closing slide, ensures your pitch leaves a lasting impression on investors. It should be simple, clear, and actionable while reinforcing professionalism and credibility.
Below is a structured breakdown of the key components that every thank you slide should include.
1. Simple and professional thank you message
Your closing slide starts with a concise thank-you message. It shows appreciation for the investors' time and leaves a polite and professional closing note.
Example:
- “Thank you for your time and consideration.”
- (Optional): “Looking forward to your questions and feedback.”
A professional thank you message reinforces your respect for the investors and sets a positive tone for the follow-up discussions.
2. Founder and contact information
Make it easy for investors to reach out by providing key contact details for follow-up conversations or questions.
Include:
- Full names and roles of the key team members (e.g., CEO, CFO, CTO).
- Email addresses and phone numbers (if applicable).
- Company website and relevant social media profiles.
Clear and accessible contact details eliminate follow-up friction and ensure investors have all the necessary information to continue the conversation.
3. Call to Action (CTA) for next steps
Encourage investors to take action by including a clear and compelling call to action.
Examples:
- “Interested in learning more? Let’s continue the conversation.”
- “Contact us to schedule a meeting or access additional materials.”
- Optionally, include links to a financial model, product demo, or investor portal for further engagement.
A well-placed CTA ensures investors understand the next steps, whether it’s scheduling a follow-up meeting or reviewing additional information.
4. Social proof (optional but recommended)
Social proof builds trust and credibility by highlighting existing traction or endorsements.
Examples:
- Logos of current investors, strategic partners, or accelerators (e.g., “Backed by Y Combinator”).
- A short tagline showcasing traction, such as “Over 10,000 paying customers” or “Featured in Forbes.”
Social proof provides external validation, making your startup more attractive and increasing investor confidence.
How to design an effective thank you slide
Create an effective thank-you slide using a minimalist design, brief thank-you text, visible contact details, and an actionable statement. The design should include your company brand through logo elements and consistent(fonts) and branding (logo and colors) throughout.
Place essential contact information and necessary next steps so investors can effortlessly reach you or initiate an action sequence.
Best practices for presentation
- Keep it minimalistic: Avoid clutter; focus on the thank you message, contact details, and call to action.
- Use branding elements: Include your company logo, colors, and fonts to ensure the slide aligns with your pitch deck's design.
- Make contact details easy to find: Your slide should display contact information in a size large enough to read easily.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Too much text: Avoid long paragraphs. Use concise bullet points or short sentences.
- There are no clear next steps: Investors should leave with a clear idea of how to follow up or continue the discussion.
- Using an empty or generic slide: A weak, unbranded slide leaves an incomplete impression and reduces professionalism.
Pitch deck thank you slide examples
Here are five examples of effective thank-you slides and what makes them stand out:
Example 1: Openfin
What makes it effective
The OpenFin final slide is effective because of its simplicity, branding, and clarity:
- The company logo and tagline (“Move Fast. Break Nothing.”) here are prominently displayed, reinforcing the brand’s identity and core message.
- The slide is clean and uncluttered, ensuring the focus remains on the logo, tagline, and contact information.
- Including the website and social media handle provides a simple way for investors to follow up, maintaining accessibility and professionalism.
- The slide's minimalism ensures a polished, lasting impression while making it easy for investors to connect with the company.
Example 2: Aircall
What makes it effective
- Clear and concise message: The bold 'Thank you!'" acts as an elegant professional finish that creates favorable memories in listeners' minds.
- Strong branding: The prominent logo and brand colors reinforce Aircall's identity here, ensuring the slide aligns with the pitch deck.
- Contact detail accessibility: Including the website (aircall.io) makes it easy for investors to follow up or explore further information about the company.
Example 3: Rocket Internet
What makes it effective
The Rocket Internet final slide here effectively provides comprehensive and transparent information. This slide is practical, detailed, and well-structured, making it easy for different audiences to engage further.
- Multiple contact points: It includes the company website and a dedicated email for investors ensuring accessibility for follow-ups.
- Additional engagement opportunities: Including a link for job applications broadens its utility, appealing to investors and potential hires.
- Brand consistency: The logo and clean design maintain professionalism and reinforce the company's identity, while the "Strictly Confidential" note ensures the slide meets business confidentiality standards.
Example 4: Smart Recruiters
What makes it effective
- Strong call to action (CTA): The "Get a Demo" and "Sign Up for Free" buttons are prominent, providing clear next steps for investors or potential users to engage further.
- Visual product showcase: The smartphone mockup here demonstrates the application interface, helping investors understand the product's features and design appeal.
- Brand visibility: The logo and simple "Thank you" message maintain professionalism while keeping the slide clean and visually appealing.
The slide encourages immediate action while effectively showcasing the product and brand.
Example 5: Kong
What makes it effective
The Kong final slide here is effective because it combines branding, simplicity, and accessibility:
- Bold branding: The large "Thank You," and company name (Kong) are visually striking and memorable, leaving a strong impression.
- Easy access to follow-ups: The slide includes the website and social media handles, providing multiple ways for investors or users to engage.
- Playful yet professional tone: The mascot adds personality to the brand while maintaining a polished and approachable design.
The slide effectively balances professionalism with creativity, ensuring it is memorable and functional for follow-ups.
Final checklist for an investor-ready thank you slide
Before finalizing your thank you slide, use this checklist to ensure it is professional and effective:
- Is the thank you message short and professional?
- Are the founder's contact details visible?
- Does the closing slide include a call to action or next steps?
- Is the visual design clean and aligned with the rest of the pitch deck?
- Can investors quickly follow up with your team?
Conclusion
A well-designed professional closing slide is crucial to a successful pitch deck. Following presentations, investors receive an enduring mental imprint, which leads to sustained interaction. By focusing on clarity, strong branding, and easy-to-access follow-up details, founders can ensure their presentation ends on a high note.
If you need expert guidance to craft an impactful thank-you slide or an investor-ready pitch deck, visit Propitchdeckservices.com for tailored pitch deck writing services to elevate your fundraising efforts.
