Ukraine-based startup Geodesic.Life is challenging traditional notions of housing by introducing affordable and eco-friendly prefabricated dome homes. This concept addresses two pressing global concerns: the need for accessible housing and the urgency of environmental conservation. By normalizing sustainable living habits, Geodesic aims to have a positive impact on both individuals and the planet. The company just completed his small $500,000 round of funding from friends and family to make that vision a reality.
The startup's dome homes have several advantages. They are significantly more affordable than traditional housing options, making them an attractive option for individuals, families, and communities with limited funds. The home was also designed with sustainability in mind, constructed using environmentally friendly materials, with a low carbon footprint and energy efficiency. This not only reduces the environmental impact of housing, but also meets the growing demand for sustainable living solutions.
The startup shared a 13-slide deck with TechCrunch. So let's take a closer look and see what we can see.
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This deck slide
Geodesic's deck impresses with its beautiful design, with a tasteful color palette, attractive illustrations, and concise text, but it has some significant drawbacks.
Cover Slide Problem Slide 1 Problem Slide 2 Product Image Slide Solution Slide What's Unique? Slides Slides Designed to Make an Impact (Organization Details) Business Model Slide Beachhead Market Slide Competitive Slide Competition slide 2 “A new era in the countryside” image slide Team slide
Some of our favorite things about Geodesic's pitch decks
Geodesic's pitch deck was very impressive, especially in connecting problems and solutions, showcasing the company's innovative approach and commitment to sustainability with hard data.
A clear starting point
[Slide 9] A good, well-defined beachhead market is a good way to gain a foothold for your business. Image credit: Geodesic.Life
Although this slide contains useful information, it is missing some important details about your target market. For example, Geodesic has not yet identified specific homebuyers to target initially in this space. Nevertheless, this presentation provides a solid overview of what Geodesic aims to capture and position the company in domestic, continental, and global markets.
This clear contextualization of the target market is essential as the specialized focus on “Turnkey Prefab in Stockholm Region” is relatively small. However, the growth opportunities are significant and should be attractive to investors.
Design that makes an impact
[Slide 7] Highlighting how your company is different is a useful starting point for the conversation. Image credit: Geodesic.Life
Geodesic did a good job with this slide. The way the company linked the problem slide to the solution slide is storytelling at its best and shows that they can be creative on this front. Geodesic didn't just point out the major environmental problems associated with traditional home construction. The company also demonstrated how Geodesic's innovative approach is a game-changer. This clear and logical flow makes it very easy for investors to understand both the scale of the problem and the impact of the solution.
It is also wise to add specific, measurable data on the environmental benefits of building methods. These numbers support claims about reducing carbon emissions and highlight the company's commitment to sustainability. This data-driven angle not only strengthens Geodesic's credibility, but also highlights its dedication to bringing real change to the construction industry. It's clear that Geodesic is not just proposing a cool idea, but a practical solution with solid environmental results to show for it.
3 things Geodesic Life could have done better
This deck is a near-duplicate of the competitor's slides, but also has several areas for improvement. Additionally, there are no slides requesting funding or detailing your go-to-market strategy. I would like to explain the following points in detail.
You say “It's affordable” I say “Show me the price tag”
This deck lacks pricing information, making it impossible to understand both production costs and homebuyer purchase prices.
Including a price slide in your pitch deck is very important for several reasons. Especially when presenting to potential investors, because it affects so many parts of the story. Here's why it's important:
Components of a Business Model: Price sliders provide clear information about how a startup intends to generate revenue. Investors want to understand your business model and how you plan to make money. Pricing details will help you assess the feasibility and profitability of your business. Value Proposition: Helps validate your value proposition by showing that customers are willing to pay for your product or service at the price you set. This shows market validation and growth potential. Fundamentals of Financial Forecasting: Price is an important element of financial forecasting. It impacts revenue forecasts and, in turn, profitability, cash flow, and break-even analysis. Investors need this information to assess a startup's financial viability. Positioning: Showing how your pricing strategy compares to your competitors can highlight your competitive advantage or justify premium pricing due to superior features, benefits, or brand positioning. Masu.
In other words, price sliding is more than just a number, it is a strategic element that communicates the feasibility and potential of your business model to investors. This is an important part of the story that convinces them why now is the right time to invest in your startup.
The business model has reached its limits
[Slide 8] This is a brainstorm, not a business model. Image credit: Geodesic.Life
Closely related to the previous point. Pricing is one aspect of his business model, but there are more pieces to the puzzle. Geodesics doesn't work well here.
The business model slides have very little detail, and the details they do have are a bit confusing. It is difficult to understand the exact idea behind the flow of money through this business. But the idea seems to be that developers will build a community of prefabricated buildings. That's great, but it's not clear who the customers of these prefabricated communities are. Local authorities are potential customers as they may be interested in building social and affordable housing alongside community buildings. However, private developers may also be customers and may be interested in building these communities for sale or rental. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the feasibility of this business model.
Establishing a strong business model is key to attracting investors. It shows them that you have a clear plan for making money and continuing to grow your business over the long term. Investors expect high returns on their investments. Sharp Business Model shows exactly how startups bring in cash, keep costs down, and scale.
By detailing strategies for acquiring customers, setting prices, and staying ahead of your competitors, you'll demonstrate a smart, strategic approach to building a thriving business. This type of clarity also reduces risk for investors, as they can see concrete steps to take to achieve their financial goals.
Too many people, too little information
[Slide 13] Yes, but who are these people and why should you invest in them? Image credit: Geodesic Life
The team slide in your pitch deck is fundamentally important because it introduces the individuals behind your company and highlights their expertise, experience, and ability to execute your business plan. For investors, strong teams are seen as being able to pivot and adapt to achieve success even when challenges arise, so team background and cohesiveness often outweigh the initial product idea. . Team His slides provide a snapshot of the collective skills, industry knowledge, and entrepreneurial background brought to the table by the founders and key personnel. This helps investors assess the team's market understanding, problem-solving ability, and commitment to the venture. Therefore, it's important to effectively communicate your team's strengths with this slide.
For Geodesic, several issues need to be addressed to increase the effectiveness of team slides. Having too many people on your slides can take away the attention of key people who are critical to your startup's success. Target your slides to core team members who directly impact key business outcomes, typically founders or key executives.
Also, listing names, photos, and job titles doesn't provide enough context as to why these people are uniquely qualified to succeed in this business. Investors need to understand what each team member specifically brings to the table in terms of relevant expertise, past entrepreneurial success, or industry experience.
It's important to demonstrate a strong founder-market fit and provide clear reasons why your team can better address market needs and navigate industry complexity than other teams. Include brief highlights of previous roles, startup experience, and specific accomplishments that directly align with the goals and challenges of your current venture. This approach provides a clearer, more compelling picture of the team's capabilities and increases investor confidence in the company's potential.
full pitch deck
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