A new program is looking to help female-led startups with a complimentary pitch deck for their company as part of a recently launched competition.
The initiative — dubbed The UPLIFT Pro-bono Pitch Program — is being launched by STORY Pitch Decks, a pitch writing and design firm based in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. It will include all of the necessary content creation, research, strategy, writing and design elements that STORY provides for its clients.
STORY cited a 2021 PitchBook report that found only 2% of venture capital in the U.S. went to female founders as part of its decision to focus on offering women-led startups the possibility of a complimentary pitch deck, the resource startups use when trying to attract potential investors. It also comes following the recent launch of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh's new URA Ventures pilot program, which in June announced that 84% of applications came from companies that are minority and or women-owned business enterprises. URA Ventures is a $3 million early-stage, diversity-focused fund.
For its pro-bono service, STORY is seeking applicants all over the U.S. before its Aug. 1 deadline so long as those applying meet the following conditions:
- Has a founding team in which a majority of those on it identify as a woman
- Has a socially or environmentally focused mission
- Has a "healthy work culture and ways of working"
- Is raising a preseed, seed or Series A funding round
- Is a startup that is financially under-resourced
- Will accept a pitch deck that is written in English, if selected
"The gender gap in the startup world today is gargantuan," Keane Angle, STORY Pitch Decks CEO and founder, said in a prepared statement. "STORY hopes to make some noise, raise awareness about this issue, and do our part to try and tip the scales. In the coming years, we will be expanding the program in a continued effort to support women in tech and female entrepreneurship."
STORY claimed the more than 100 pitch decks it has made for its startup clients have, in part, led to the raise of over $130 million in investment.
More details on the competition can be found here.
