In short
The ask slide states exactly how much you are raising, the instrument if known (equity, SAFE or convertible note), how the money will be split across three to five uses with percentages, how many months of runway it buys and the specific milestones it will reach. Investors should finish the slide knowing what their money achieves.
Many decks end with a vague request for investment. A specific ask shows you have a plan and makes it easy for an investor to decide whether the round fits them.
What to include
- The amount, such as ‘Raising $1.5M seed’ or ‘Raising ₹3 crore’.
- The instrument and any committed investors, if public.
- Use of funds: three to five categories with percentages, such as product, sales, marketing and operations.
- Runway in months.
- Two or three milestones the round will reach, matching your roadmap.
How to decide how much to raise
Work out what you need to reach the milestones that make the next round possible, add a buffer for delays, and check it gives about 18 to 24 months of runway. Raising too little forces you back to investors too soon; raising too much at an early stage can mean giving up more of the company than necessary.
Raising $750,000 on a SAFE to reach 300 paying clinics and $50,000 monthly recurring revenue in 18 months.
Use of funds: 45% product and engineering, 30% sales, 15% marketing, 10% operations.
Common mistakes
- No amount, or a wide range like ‘$1M to $5M’.
- Use of funds that does not match the roadmap.
- Stating a valuation on the slide before an investor is interested.
- Milestones that are not measurable.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put my valuation on the ask slide?
Usually not. Valuation is negotiated, and stating it early can end conversations. If you are raising on a SAFE with a set cap, you can share it in the meeting or the covering email.
Can I give a range for the raise?
A narrow range is acceptable, such as $1M to $1.25M, but a single figure is clearer.
Written by Gachi Foundation, a non-profit in Jharkhand, India. All pitch deck resources.