ARTICLE 06 • STORYTELLING & RELATIONSHIPS • GET BACKED
The Get Backed Narrative Framework
The Get Backed narrative framework originates from the book "Get Backed: Craft Your Story, Build the Perfect Pitch Deck, and Launch the Venture of Your Dreams," written by entrepreneurs Evan Baehr and Evan Loomis. Unlike other frameworks that focus purely on data and metrics, this methodology emphasizes that a pitch deck is fundamentally a storytelling artifact used to build genuine relationships.
The framework suggests that a successful pitch weaves together four specific stories that every entrepreneur must know how to tell. Instead of just listing facts, founders should overlay these narrative arcs onto their slides:
01 • Founder-Problem Resonance
The Founder's Origin Story
Why you are uniquely passionate about and qualified to build this specific business. Establishes personal credibility and unshakeable commitment.
02 • Empathetic Pain Arc
The Customer's Struggle
A deeply empathetic look at the painful problem the customer faces every single day. Moves investors emotionally before presenting logic.
03 • Macro Inflection Catalyst
The Industry Shift
The macroeconomic changes or technological advancements that make this the perfect time for your solution. Explains why this is possible now.
04 • Venture Scale Trajectory
The Company's Growth Story
The financial trajectory and unit metrics that prove this venture can scale sustainably into a massive, category-defining business.
RELATIONSHIP CAPITALDISCIPLINED ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
2. The "Friendship Loop"
Perhaps the most unique element of the Get Backed methodology is its focus on the "Friendship Loop." The authors argue that founders should not just ask for cash; they need to cultivate relationships first. The framework outlines a disciplined, four-step approach to engaging potential investors before the pitch deck is even presented:
STEP 01Warm Gateway
Introduction
Getting introduced to someone through a trusted connection who can help move your venture forward.
STEP 02Genuine Connection
Build a Relationship
Finding commonalities and asking thoughtful questions to establish a genuine connection rather than a transactional pitch.
STEP 03Value First
Delight
Showing gratitude, following up consistently, and providing thoughtful resources or industry insights to the investor.
STEP 04Earned Opportunity
The Ask / Pitch
Finally introducing the pitch deck and investment opportunity once a solid foundation of mutual trust has been established.
The Relationship Rule: Fundraising is not a transaction; it is an adoption. Investors back people they know, like, and trust. By walking through the Friendship Loop before presenting your deck, you enter the pitch room as a trusted partner rather than a desperate solicitor.
DECK ARCHITECTURE15 DECKS • $150M+ RAISED
3. The 10 Essential Slides
Baehr and Loomis analyzed 15 real-world pitch decks that successfully raised over $150 million to develop their required slide structure. Here is the recommended 10-slide sequence:
Your elevator pitch summarizing the exact problem your startup solves. Keep it concise, punchy, and instantly memorable.
02GET BACKED SLIDE 2
2. Opportunity
A description of your industry and your specific niche within it, demonstrating explosive growth potential. Show that you are riding a massive economic or technological tailwind.
03GET BACKED SLIDE 3
3. Problem
A deep dive into why the problem exists, why it is emotionally painful, and how many people experience it. Ground this in the Customer's Struggle narrative arc so the investor feels the friction visceral and urgent.
04GET BACKED SLIDE 4
4. Solution
How your product fixes the pain point. Baehr and Loomis strongly caution against using bullet points here; instead, they recommend showing a video, prototype, or software demo.
Show, Don't Tell: Static bullet points kill enthusiasm. A 30-second embedded product walkthrough or interactive prototype proves that you build real products rather than talk in abstract concepts.
05GET BACKED SLIDE 5
5. Traction
Hard evidence of growth in sales or users, proving the company can succeed with or without the investor's help. This is your leverage: show that you are an accelerating train they are lucky to board.
06GET BACKED SLIDE 6
6. Customer / Market
A calculation of your Total Addressable Market (TAM) to prove you are playing in a large enough space to generate venture-scale returns. Ensure your market sizing is grounded in real customer segmentation.
07GET BACKED SLIDE 7
7. Competition
A map showing how alternative solutions currently handle the problem, comparing them on factors like price, speed, and quality. Demonstrate clearly why your solution is qualitatively superior on the metrics that matter most to users.
08GET BACKED SLIDE 8
8. Business Model
Details on the cost of customer acquisition (CAC), cash flow projections, burn rate, and the break-even point. Demonstrates that you understand the financial mechanics required to achieve long-term profitability.
09GET BACKED SLIDE 9
9. Team
Brief bios that paint a picture of the team's expertise as quickly as possible. Highlight previous startup exits, technical breakthroughs, or domain leadership that reinforce Founder-Market Fit.
10GET BACKED SLIDE 10
10. Use of Funds
A clear statement of how much capital is being raised and the specific goals it will fund (e.g., scaling the sales team, optimizing a platform). Map every dollar to an inflection point that increases company valuation.