"Our Deck is OK" – Except that it wasn’t. How I saved an investment manager from falling off a cliff
"The marketing collateral of a fund is as important as the investment strategy itself.
Fund managers really cannot under-invest in a good deck.
It is important for managers to understand this."
Recently, a client asked me to review their deck and tear sheet. This fund manager was already established, with a 3.5-year track record and a three-digit million AUM.
What helps in these reviews is that at Opalesque, we have a library of over 5,000 decks and tear sheets. Additionally, we leverage an AI-powered platform that analyzes pitch decks across 40+ critical topics, offering targeted recommendations based on industry best practices and benchmarks.
But in this case, I didn't even need the AI to spot an issue. One glaring omission immediately caught my eye: a top credential of this manager was missing from their tear sheet—right where it should have been.
My viral LinkedIn post here was another good example explaining how much an independent, qualified deck review is needed:
The designer thought the fund deck looked great. The investment manager was happy that it was now "finally finished" and "in great shape". Except that it wasn't. When I did a Deck Review, I saw them heading straight for a cliff - and I'm glad I could pull them back from the edge.
What happened? When my eyes landed on the deck, they almost fell off.
Sure, each slide on its own was well done.
Except that each slide had a different background photo and color.
And so the deck violated a key principle: When Pitching or Presenting, never ever confuse the subconscious mind.
Sure, each photo corresponded in some way to the slide's theme, and the colors were tasteful - blues, grays, and whites that individually looked professional. But switching background colors from slide to slide creates a subtle yet significant cognitive load for your audience.
Here's why this matters: When institutional investors review your deck, their brains will process both your content AND your design. Each time the background color changes, their subconscious mind has to adjust and recalibrate - even if they're not consciously aware of it. This creates micro-distractions that
pull attention away from your message. Worst case, the investor may start feeling an undefined unrest which could even turn into reduced receptivity and aversion to your message, because of this unexpected and unusual subtle overload.
Think of it like trying to read a book where each page has a different tint and font. Even if each page looks fine on its own, the constant shifting makes it harder for your brain to focus on the content. The same principle applies to your pitch deck.
Remember: Institutional investors review countless decks per week, and one of their main filters will be looking for reasons to say "no." And so, any element that makes your deck harder to process - even subconsciously - works against you. Therefore, consistency in design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about making your message as effortless to absorb as possible.
First Impressions Count
In fund management, you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. Perhaps they weren’t aware that the feature I was missing is actually one of their most powerful unique selling points—something investors would appreciate, as it would inspire confidence in their firm and its investment process.
Your materials need to be impeccable because the deck shapes your presentation and serves as a critical reference for investors post-meeting. After your pitch, your deck and tear sheet represent your entire team, company, and track record.
Institutional investors and family offices review hundreds of fund presentations monthly. They won't dig for your best qualities—those need to be front and center. A well-crafted deck isn't just about professionalism; it's about strategic positioning and compelling storytelling.
You’re Always Benchmarked Against Best-in-Class Competitors
Having reviewed thousands of decks, I’ve seen brilliant managers lose opportunities simply because their materials didn’t do justice to their expertise. If ANYTHING is off or falls short of best-in-class standards, you face an uphill battle. Your track record might be stellar, your strategy unique, but if these strengths aren’t showcased effectively, they might as well not exist.
I continued studying this manager’s deck and found six improvements which will make a difference.
That’s the reason why experienced eyes become invaluable. We know what institutional investors look for and expect, we understand how to structure information to answer their questions before they ask them. We know how to highlight strengths without overselling and address potential concerns before they become objections.
One of the Highest-ROI Investments a Fund Manager Can Make
The cost of a professional deck review is negligible compared to the opportunity cost of losing even one significant investor. In fact, it's one of the highest-ROI investments a fund manager can make. It’s not just about fixing errors—it’s about optimizing your message, enhancing your credibility, and maximizing every opportunity to grow your AUM.
This is precisely why deck and tear sheet reviews are one of the most rewarding components of our Digital Master Class: Asset Raising. This proven system guides managers through building a successful investment management business.
Now Included in All Course Packages Or As Stand Alone
Many clients said that already a Pitch Deck Review helped them avoid common pitfalls and accelerated their progress by months. One recent participant said they gained more actionable insights in our hour together than in months of general research.
The sooner we connect, the sooner you can start implementing the strategies and insights that will propel your fund forward.
That’s why a Pitch Deck review is now included in all our Course Packages.
Together, we can identify quick wins and set a strong foundation for long-term success.
That's my commitment and promise to you, no matter if you book the Pitch Deck Review as a Stand Alone or as part of one of our Digital Master Class: Asset Raising courses.
Plan and Pricing
BOOK YOUR PITCH DECK & TEAR SHEET REVIEW AS STAND ALONE
$300 only instead of $899
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With one hour 1:1 analysis & consultation session
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AI driven benchmarking vs. 5,000 decks & tear sheets
BEST VALUE
PITCH DECK & TEAR SHEET REVIEW now included in ALL packages of the Digital Master Class: Asset Raising
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Find the plan that’s right for you here.
Testimonials
Even for the most seasoned professional, the Asset Raising Digital Master Class can deliver big value. Matthias has unique insights and his one-on-one engagement is something rarely found elsewhere. Many thanks to Matthias and Opalesque!
Already in our introductory call, Matthias was able to offer three specific, actionable suggestions that immediately improved the marketing of my fund.
And just the day after my coaching call with Matthias I had a great pitch discussion with the CIO of a Midwest endowment. I took advantage of Matthias’s comments and structured the meeting accordingly. The CIO loved my strategy and even offered to introduce me to another potential investor.
Matthias, with help from industry experts, has put together a comprehensive list of very clear rules and tactics, which if you follow, will save you many errors on the way. The great thing about the course is that you can talk to Matthias personally and listen to his honest feedback and suggestions, which are essential for the progress you otherwise hardly achieve in such a short time and with associated costs.
The DIGITAL MARKETING course covers all aspects of fundraising, and is designed in a way that forces you as a manager to think deeply about the various processes, interactions among them and how do they contribute to the overall perception of your fund. For emerging managers, this is high alpha investment.
Matthias was incredibly helpful, offering brilliant, constructive advice on materials and sharing invaluable insights drawn from his vast experience. He also provided perspectives from other managers he has worked with, tailoring his guidance to what would be most beneficial for us. On top of that, he generously offered a free consultation, demonstrating his genuine commitment to helping us succeed.
“Working with Matthias at Opalesque has been very beneficial and given us some fantastic insights. After two calls with Matthias and attending one of their hosted webinars on Cap Intro meetings, he has helped us present our performance and unique strategy approach in such a way that it’s highlighted front and center.
Both in cap intro meetings and in our marketing materials, we’re now more prepared to not only present our strategy to allocators and investors, but to be ready with insightful questions and answers to better engage those potential investors – to really understand their needs and communicate how we can fit into their allocations and help meet their challenges.
Matthias has unique and specific suggestions and ideas that have really helped us improve our marketing and investor outreach. Thanks, Matthias!”
“Above all, it has been exciting to watch Opalesque’s developments in support of managers’ evolution. On a more personal note, thank you for sharing your time and insights today. I appreciated the opportunity to brainstorm our digital strategy with you and learn from the key findings you have gathered across the investment landscape.
Wishing you much continued success,”
I am an investor with an alternative investment manager who has truly distinguished themselves in the realm of marketing and investor relations. As it’s a relatively young firm, I asked them where they learned all this, they modestly pointed me to your website, www.fundmanager.tools.
They added that of particular impact were the six videos of the “Pitch & Close Bootcamp”.
The transformation of their operations has been undeniable since completing the course, securing them three times more meetings than before, and their closing rates have more than doubled.
Matthias Knab has created a fantastic boot camp for fund managers. I checked it out and recommend all managers go through this course; a successful system combining videos, workbooks with summaries and exercises, personal coaching, a Commitment Buddy System, and 50 powerful Guerrilla Tactics you won't find anywhere else.
Just watched your Mindset, Habits, and Eight Power Tools - great video! ‘Big results require big ambitions’ is now my new mantra!
Matthias gave me a very comprehensive review of my pitch deck after I provided it to him. We reviewed it together and mentioned some points that I will incorporate to increase my chances to raise capital. He is very good at what he does and the experience is obvious.
Even seasoned capital raising professionals can benefit from Matthias’ courses. Whether in markets or capital raising, the hedge fund industry is ever evolving and to have continued success means to stay on the leading edge in all aspects. Matthias has been a force in our industry for as long as I can remember, evolving his business as opportunities arise. For those who are seasoned professionals these courses will help to keep you at the front, and for those who are new to capital raising these courses are a must.
Matthias brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by emerging managers and brings an “all hands-on deck” approach which has guided me through all the key steps of preparing best-in-class marketing materials, making an effective pitch, producing video content and closing the deal.
Importantly, Matthias shares strategies that have worked successfully for all types of funds over the years together with suggestions targeting the specific needs of my fund. His support and commitment to my success has been invaluable.
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