Your problem slide is one of the most important parts of your pitch deck, if not the most. It sets the foundation for everything that follows. Before you talk about your solution, market size, your traction, you need to make investors care. That starts by showing them a real, urgent, large, and relatable problem that your startup aims to solve.
If you don’t get this right, nothing else matters. A weak problem slide makes it hard for people to understand the value of your solution. And investors know – if you’re not solving a great problem, then no amount of effort will grow your startup ‘to the moon’ (glad I could fit in that metaphor).
Different Ways to Frame a Problem
There isn’t one perfect way to present the problem because it depends on your business, your data, and your story. The best decks often combine a few different angles: a quote from a user, a breakdown of the current situation, or a compelling trend line.
Here are three effective formats you can use in your problem slide, with examples of when to use each. All of these come directly from the PowerTools Startup Pitch Deck Template, which includes every type of slide you need in your deck.
1. Quote
This version of the problem slide uses a real-world quote to make the problem human and tangible. It works well for startups where the pain is emotional, deeply personal, or best explained in everyday language.
Example use case: A startup building a mental health platform for remote workers.
Voiceover: “One user told us: ‘I haven’t spoken to another human in three days. I’m not lonely, but I feel totally disconnected.’ It hit us. This isn’t just about therapy. It’s about helping people feel seen and heard in their daily lives.”
2. Problem components
This format breaks the problem into 2–3 concrete issues that users are experiencing. It works well when the problem is multifaceted—a mix of time, cost, complexity, or frustration.
Example use case: A startup helping small businesses automate invoicing and payments.
Voiceover: “Today, small businesses are spending 8+ hours a week managing invoices. They’re paying for outdated tools that still require manual entry. And when something goes wrong, support is slow and unreliable. That’s hours lost, money wasted, and unnecessary stress.”
3. Trend with chart
This version shows how the problem is growing over time—usually with a chart, stat, or external data. A startup that has one of these compelling charts is called a one-chart business because it’s reason for being can be understood from looking at just one chart. This slide works well for macro-level problems or shifts in behavior.
Example use case: A startup building an AI-powered tool to combat loneliness in Gen Z.
Voiceover: “The number of Gen Z reporting frequent feelings of loneliness has doubled since 2020. This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s becoming a public health crisis. And yet, most tools treat it like a footnote. We think it’s the core problem.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague. “People don’t like doing X” isn’t enough. Be specific.
- Relying only on logic. Investors are human. Make them feel the pain before you explain it.
- Showing the solution too early. Don’t hint at your product yet—stay focused on the problem.
- Ignoring data. Even qualitative problems should be backed with at least one stat, quote, or signal.
A great problem slide makes your audience lean in. It earns their attention. And it gives everything that follows a reason to exist.
So take your time on this one. It’s the part of your pitch where storytelling matters most.
