Board deck template for seed startups (2026)
Seed board deck template built around metrics, decisions, and one strategic discussion. Not a pitch deck. Copy-paste outline, asks slide, pre-read rule.
board-deck-template-seed.txt
SLIDE 2 , KPIs vs last quarter
Metric This Q Last Q Δ
ARR {{MRR_CURRENT}} {{MRR_LAST_QUARTER}} [calc]
Net new logos [#] [#] [#]
Logo churn (Q) [#] [#] [#]
Gross margin [%] [%] [pts]
[Add 2-3 more]
Headline: one sentence on what the numbers say.
Variables · fill before sending
- COMPANY_NAMEYour company name
- MEETING_DATEDate of the board meeting, e.g. 2026-07-15
- STRATEGIC_QUESTIONThe one framing question for this meeting, e.g. 'Are we an enterprise wedge or a SMB self-serve company?'
- MRR_CURRENTCurrent MRR or ARR figure
- MRR_LAST_QUARTERMRR or ARR three months ago
- NET_BURNMonthly net burn in $
- CASH_ON_HANDCash in bank as of meeting date
- RUNWAY_MONTHSMonths of runway at current burn
- HEADCOUNT_CURRENTFTE count today
- HEADCOUNT_PLANFTE count planned in 6 months
- DECISION_1First explicit decision the board needs to approve or weigh in on
- DECISION_2Second decision, if any
- NEXT_RAISE_TIMINGWhen you expect to open the next round, e.g. 'Q1 2027'
How to use it
- Send the deck 48 hours before the meeting and forbid walk-throughs. The board reads it cold; the meeting is for discussion.
- Keep slides 1–6 in the deck, push everything else to the appendix. If a slide doesn't drive a decision, it belongs in the appendix or in the monthly update.
- The strategic question on slide 1 is not rhetorical. You must want an answer, and you must be willing to act on it.
- The asks slide names a human for every decision and gives a date. No "the board will consider" passive phrasing.
- Replace product update narrative with a one-page changelog. Investors are not your customers; they don't need feature walkthroughs.