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What is an Ask Slide?

The ask slide (or funding slide) is where you make your pitch concrete – it’s your opportunity to clearly communicate how much funding you need, how you’ll use it, and what investors can expect in return. At its core, this slide answers three critical questions:

How much are you raising?
How will you use the funds?
What milestones will these funds help you achieve?

A strong Ask Slide demonstrates that you’ve done your homework, understand your business’s financial needs, and have a clear plan for growth. Investors want to see that their money will be used efficiently to generate tangible results, whether that’s building your product, growing your team, acquiring customers, or hitting specific revenue targets.

By the time investors reach this slide, they should already be excited about your vision. Use the Ask Slide to channel that excitement into action with a clear and compelling ask. Be specific, transparent, and confident – this is your chance to close the deal.

Your ask should be specific, realistic, and tied directly to your business goals. Avoid overpromising or asking for too much too soon – investors want to see confidence, but also practicality and self-awareness.

What Do Investors Look for on an Ask Slide?

A specific funding amount that reflects your business’s needs.
A high-level breakdown of how the funds will be allocated (e.g., product development, marketing, hiring).
Defined milestones or goals the funding will help you achieve (e.g., launch a beta product, hit $1M ARR).
Evidence that your ask aligns with your overall roadmap and financial model.
Confidence and clarity in your pitch—this is the moment to show you’ve thought everything through.

🤔 What Questions Should an Ask Slide Answer?

How much funding are you seeking, and why is this the right amount?
What are the main areas where the funds will be spent?
What specific milestones or outcomes will this funding help you achieve?
How will this funding accelerate the company’s growth or de-risk the business for future rounds?

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Asking for an unclear or overly general amount (“We need $500K–$1M” instead of a specific number).
Asking for an oddly specific number (“We're raising $734,500” instead of rounding up to $750,000).
Failing to explain how the funds will be used in practical terms.
Ignoring milestones or deliverables—investors want to know what their money will achieve.
Presenting a funding ask that seems misaligned with your stage, business model, or growth plan.

How to Create a Funding Ask Slide That Investors Will Love

✅ Ask Slide Best Practices

Be Specific: Clearly state the amount you’re raising and the purpose (e.g., “We are raising $1.5M to scale our sales team and develop our AI platform”).
Break Down the Use of Funds: Include a simple chart or graphic (e.g., pie chart, bar chart) showing how the money will be spent (e.g., 40% product development, 30% marketing, 30% hiring).
Focus on Milestones: Highlight what you’ll achieve with the funding (e.g., “Launch beta in Q2 2024” or “Acquire 10,000 paying customers by 2025”).
Keep It Concise: Stick to the most critical details—investors don’t need a full financial model here.
Tie It to Growth: Show how this funding will move the needle, whether that’s expanding your market share, increasing revenue, or reducing risks.
Set the Stage For the Next Round: Your milestones for the next 18 months should put you in a good position to raise the next round - something that matters a lot to VCs.

✍️ Ask Slide Content

Headline: A bold statement summarizing your ask (e.g., “Raising $2M to Scale Operations and Drive Growth”).
Funding Amount: Clearly state how much you’re raising and whether it’s a specific round (e.g., seed, Series A).
Use of Funds: Include a simple visual breakdown of how the funds will be allocated.
Milestones: List 2–4 key goals the funding will help you achieve, tied to your roadmap (e.g., product launch, revenue targets, hiring milestones).
Optional ROI Insight: Briefly mention the long-term value this investment could generate (e.g., “Expected ARR of $10M within three years”).

🎨 Ask Slide Design

Highlight the Funding Amount: Place the total amount you’re raising at the center of the slide in bold, prominent text (e.g., “Raising €X Million”). Ensure it’s the first thing investors see.
Visualize Fund Allocation: Use a clean pie chart, like in the example, to show how the funds will be distributed (e.g., marketing, R&D, hiring). Pair each segment with a short label and percentage for clarity.
Emphasize Key Investment Terms : Include a section for key investment highlights, such as minimum contributions, equity offered, or expected returns. Use icons or clear typography to make these terms visually engaging.
Minimal Text, Maximum Impact: Keep descriptions brief and focused. For example, use concise phrases like “20% – New Hires” instead of long sentences.