11 Aug 2026·2 min read
Pitch Deck Traction Slide: Which Metrics to Show
The traction slide on a startup pitch deck should prove the business is working at your claimed stage—not dump every metric you track. Slide outline and stage bars are in the pitch deck guide; metric definitions live in the metrics hub.
What belongs on the traction slide
- Recurring revenue: MRR or ARR labeled explicitly. Example math: (40 × $99) + (10 × $500) = $8,960 MRR → $107,520 ARR. See MRR vs ARR and MRR on the deck.
- Growth cadence: Chart period stated (last 6 months MRR, not "all time" without context).
- Retention hint (when available): Logo churn, revenue churn, or NRR—one clean view. See NRR vs churn.
- Unit economics direction: CAC payback or LTV:CAC only if you can defend assumptions. See LTV:CAC.
- Pipeline or usage (pre-revenue): Qualified pilots, design partners, or usage tied to budgeted pain—labeled honestly.
By stage (qualitative)
- Pre-seed: Early signal, demos, partner conversations—see pre-seed deck.
- Seed: Paying customers or strong paid pilots; retention hints; ICP clarity.
- Series A: Repeatable acquisition, retention/NRR where relevant, efficient growth narrative.
Vanity metrics to cut
- Downloads, raw waitlist, or social followers without conversion.
- Unlabeled "$100k revenue" without MRR/ARR or period.
- Multi-year LTV from short cohorts.
Verified recurring revenue on Bowora is a screening signal—not diligence. See what is the MRR Board? Keep deck numbers consistent with verification when you cite it.
FAQ
- What metrics go on a pitch deck traction slide?
- Labeled MRR or ARR, growth cadence with period stated, retention hints when available, and honest pre-revenue signals if applicable—matched to stage.
- What vanity metrics should I remove?
- Downloads, raw waitlist, unlabeled revenue, and multi-year LTV from short cohorts.
- Where are metric formulas defined?
- Bowora Startup Metrics guides own MRR vs ARR, burn, CAC, LTV:CAC, and NRR definitions.
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