Mar Hershenson on Pitch Deck Crafting at TechCrunch Disrupt

The Critical Importance of Pitching for Startup Founders

Pitching represents the most vital skill a founder must develop to achieve success in the startup landscape. Attracting co-founders, team members, customers, and investors all depend on a compelling and well-structured presentation of your product and overall vision.

The Evolving Art of the Pitch Deck

Despite the abundance of resources available on pitching techniques, the effective design of a pitch deck is a continually shifting practice. Recent events, such as the pandemic, fundamentally altered expectations regarding deck creation, necessitating virtual presentations via screen sharing.

These aesthetic standards continue to evolve. Venture capitalists are facing increased workloads, reviewing a greater number of companies and, consequently, a larger volume of pitch decks in their search for promising startups.

Navigating a Hybrid Investment Environment

As the investment world transitions to a hybrid model – incorporating both online and in-person pitches – the requirements for a successful pitch deck have once again changed, maintaining their crucial importance.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2021: Expert Insights on Pitch Deck Crafting

We are pleased to announce Mar Hershenson, founding managing partner of Pear VC, as a featured guest on our popular panel, “How to Craft Your Pitch Deck.” This session will be held on the Extra Crunch stage at the all-virtual TechCrunch Disrupt 2021, scheduled for September 21-23.

Mar Hershenson’s Extensive Venture Capital Experience

Hershenson is a seasoned venture capitalist with a consistent track record of investing in startups at their earliest stages. Her portfolio includes companies that have successfully completed IPOs, such as Guardant Health and DoorDash, alongside innovative ventures like Aurora Solar, BioAge, and Branch.

Notably, a recent founder survey identified Hershenson as one of the most highly recommended VCs globally.

A Background Rooted in Technical Expertise and Entrepreneurship

Hershenson’s background is firmly grounded in technical development and entrepreneurial endeavors. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University and previously co-founded three companies: Barcelona Design, Sabio Labs, and Revel Touch.

Panel Discussion: Adapting to 2021 Pitching Dynamics

During the panel, Hershenson will address the changes in pitch deck expectations for 2021. She will also detail her evaluation process for pitch decks during her daily investment activities.

The discussion will cover how pitch decks are refined and expanded throughout the investment process, from initial contact to the final pitch meeting. We will also dedicate time to answering audience questions, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of this essential skill.