On some level, of course, my “Status Quo” slide is facetious and is satirizing what you should actually present.

The bigger issue I’m pointing to is that entrepreneurs need to recognize how they’re misunderstanding competition. Your true competitors aren’t the companies doing the same or similar things. Your true competitors are the tools your consumer is currently using to solve the same problem.

Whatever slides you choose, during your pitch with VCs, focus on showcasing a more sophisticated understanding of what you’re actually competing with.