<h2>Cover </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/a68f14e7-d262-4dc2-9b00-4b8996ac7000/public" alt="Title: Dwolla - The Best Way to Move Money slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide serves as the title or introductory slide for the Dwolla pitch deck, and it does its job pretty well. It’s visually clean, straightforward, and uncluttered, which is exactly what you want from an introduction. The logo is prominently placed in the center of the slide, with vibrant colors that stand out against the subtle, dark background. This instantly establishes Dwolla’s branding and gives it a professional and polished look. The accompanying tagline, “the best way to move money,” is simple yet effectively delivers the message of their value proposition in just seven words. Something I appreciate is that Dwolla hasn't tried to overload this slide with text or unnecessary details. That said, while the background features some faded icons, they're pretty subtle and don't distract from the central message. However, they could have been utilized slightly more creatively to further emphasize Dwolla’s services. Other than that, this slide functions exactly as intended - it's a branding-focused visual, preparing the audience for the content to follow. If anything, a little bit of additional information, maybe like a short sentence describing what Dwolla does upfront, might have helped set a clearer expectation for viewers jumping in blindly into the deck. Overall, this visually attractive yet simple slide is a solid start!</p> <br> <hr> <h2>HOW WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/73cb2967-fd97-46dc-b838-5eab2b6bf100/public" alt="HOW WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "HOW WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM," does a good job simplifying Dwolla's approach. The big win here is its clarity and conciseness. It lays out in straightforward language how Dwolla allows internet-connected entities to move money efficiently. The main text tells you upfront what Dwolla is all about: quick, safe, and cost-effective transactions. This direct message is definitely the highlight, making it immediately clear why Dwolla is an attractive solution for businesses. Visually, the slide strikes a solid balance with its minimalistic flair. The icons depict buildings, gears, and banks, neatly encapsulating Dwolla's ecosystem of users and systems interacting through its platform. These visuals help reinforce the text's message without overwhelming the viewer with complexity. However, it might benefit from a touch more branding—an additional brand color or logo could help tie it more firmly to Dwolla's visual identity seen in the introductory slide. Overall, though, this slide is effective in conveying a key aspect of Dwolla’s service. It's straightforward and gets the job done without unnecessary clutter. A slight uptick in branding might make it even more memorable, but it still adds value to the overall pitch deck in its current form.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>GROWING RAPIDLY BECAUSE OF MANY USE CASES </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/aca2b136-8ff1-4213-f4f7-4774eb2b4b00/public" alt="GROWING RAPIDLY BECAUSE OF MANY USE CASES slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "GROWING RAPIDLY BECAUSE OF MANY USE CASES," effectively showcases Dwolla’s diverse applications across various sectors. It's great to see a clear depiction of different user groups, from individuals to government entities, all represented with faces that humanize each category. It's a nice touch that makes the slide relatable and gives a personal feel to Dwolla’s wide-ranging impact. The central icons, similar to those in previous slides, provide a connecting visual theme that subtly reinforces the idea of interconnectedness in Dwolla's network. On the flip side, this slide feels quite crowded. While it's important to demonstrate multiple use cases, the abundance of images and text creates a somewhat busy layout that might take viewers a bit more time to digest fully. This crowding could distract from the core message about growth through varied applications. A little more strategic spacing or simplifying the text could boost its readability and impact. Despite this, the slide does a commendable job of conveying Dwolla’s versatility and utility across different realms, making it a critical component of the pitch deck. It’s informative, but a touch more breathing room would make it even better.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>HOW DID WE GET HERE? </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/ebd2dd54-9192-420f-9b79-b7240c891d00/public" alt="HOW DID WE GET HERE? slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide titled "HOW DID WE GET HERE?" does a great job of laying out Dwolla’s origins and the background of its leadership team. It tells the story of how Dwolla was created to solve a real financial problem, which really helps humanize the brand for potential investors. The narrative about Ben Milne’s frustration with costly credit card fees is both relatable and inspiring, setting a solid foundation for understanding Dwolla's mission. This little backstory not only establishes a personal connection but also highlights the practical reason Dwolla exists. On the flip side, the slide is quite text-heavy and could benefit from a little more visual flair. The black-and-white headshots are nice to have, lending a human element to the figures behind the company, but the layout could be more dynamic. Adding some visual elements like icons or infographics to break up the text might make it more engaging. It’s clear and informative, but visually, it feels a bit flat. Also, incorporating some of Dwolla’s branding colors would better tie this slide back to the rest of the deck, giving it a more cohesive feel. Overall, while it effectively communicates essential information, enhancing the visual design could make for a more compelling presentation.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>How Cards Work </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/c15592d6-126d-443a-170b-1fc4da02a000/public" alt="How Cards Work slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "How Cards Work," provides a flowchart that maps out the credit card transaction process, and overall, it’s packed with useful information. The flowchart format is an excellent choice for explaining this somewhat complex process step by step. It visually illustrates how a transaction moves through various stages, from the consumer to the merchant. Using arrows to guide the viewer’s eye helps maintain clarity, which is a big plus. However, the slide does come across as a bit crowded. There are a lot of elements crammed into one space, which might make it slightly overwhelming at first glance. Simplifying some parts or spreading the content over two slides could enhance readability. The use of color to highlight fees and time frames is smart, drawing attention to key pain points like cost and processing time, but additional branding colors could help tie the design back to Dwolla's visual identity seen in other slides. While the slide robustly details the expenses and bottlenecks inherent in traditional card processing, including stats like "3% LOST," perhaps explaining the significance of these numbers could strengthen the message. All in all, it’s informative and coherent, but a little more breathing room and branding touch would refine the presentation further.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>THE PROBLEM WITH PAYMENTS </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/7685b474-ca50-418a-3e50-727db1914c00/public" alt="THE PROBLEM WITH PAYMENTS slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide titled "THE PROBLEM WITH PAYMENTS" clearly outlines the hurdles of current payment systems. It effectively highlights the main issues: expense and accessibility. By pointing out that merchants spend $40-$50 billion a year on card processing, it immediately grabs attention and underscores the gravity of the costs involved. The structure using bullet points makes the information digestible and easy to follow, which is great for keeping the audience engaged. However, the slide lacks visual elements that could make the data stand out even more. Incorporating visuals, like charts or icons, could help break up the text and visually emphasize key statistics and points. The slide’s simplicity works in its favor by focusing directly on the content, but a bit more flair would help maintain interest and tie into Dwolla’s branding more cohesively. By emphasizing legacy systems and their drawbacks, this slide sets the stage for why a solution like Dwolla’s is necessary. While it’s informative, balancing visuals and text a bit more could make the slide both visually appealing and informative. Overall, though, it does a strong job at conveying the crucial pain points that Dwolla aims to address.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>How Dwolla Works </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/98999bed-c8ef-427a-54ea-29d818a60800/public" alt="How Dwolla Works slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "How Dwolla Works," is a great representation of the streamlined process Dwolla offers. It effectively uses a flowchart format to walk the audience through the transaction system, showing how Dwolla connects consumers, merchants, and banks in a swift manner. The clear icons combined with brief, informative labels make the system easy to understand at a glance. The use of a large "<1 SECOND" visual is particularly impactful, emphasizing the speed of Dwolla's transactions compared to traditional methods. Visually, the slide does a solid job in balancing text and graphics, which keeps it engaging and straightforward. The distinct colors help differentiate stages in the process, and the Dwolla logo is placed strategically to enhance brand recognition. However, it could incorporate additional branding elements like consistent color themes across all slides for a more cohesive appearance. Overall, this slide communicates the functionality of Dwolla effectively, capturing attention through both its content and design. While the visual structure is a strength, ensuring the brand presence is consistent throughout the deck could create an even stronger, unified message. Nonetheless, this slide serves as a clear and visually appealing explanation of how Dwolla simplifies payment processing.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>And more… </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/48e873bc-dcd0-48ab-620f-7c9100475d00/public" alt="And more… slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide titled "And more..." is incredibly minimalistic, perhaps overly so. While its simplicity might suggest that there's additional information or features yet to be discussed, the lack of context or visuals can leave the audience feeling a bit lost in translation. On one hand, the use of the phrase can effectively build anticipation or set the stage for upcoming content. It’s like a promise that the presentation is about to reveal something exciting or noteworthy. However, as it stands, the slide might come across as a missed opportunity for engagement. There’s a lot of empty space, and it lacks the visual or textual clues that would help maintain audience interest. Incorporating some branding elements, like a logo or a hint of Dwolla's color scheme, would have tied it more neatly into the overall presentation. Even a teaser image or graphic could convey a bit more without giving everything away. Overall, while the slide serves as a transition, it feels underdeveloped. A touch more design effort could ensure that it contributes meaningfully to the pitch deck rather than standing out as a blank page.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>Product demo </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/09525131-dacb-49be-f580-87e5d860a800/public" alt="Product demo slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, simply titled "Product demo," serves as a placeholder or transition slide within the presentation. On one hand, its minimalistic design ensures that it doesn't detract from or overshadow the actual demonstration that's presumably intended to follow. The use of the orange text is consistent with Dwolla's branding, adding a small touch of brand identity to an otherwise blank slate. On the downside, the slide feels a bit too bare. While it’s understandable that the main focus might be on the live demo to come, providing a little context or an introductory graphic could enhance the audience's anticipation. A simple diagram or a brief outline of what the demo will cover could set expectations and add depth. Additionally, incorporating a small visual element or an icon could help maintain visual interest while still keeping things understated. Overall, while the slide's simplicity could be seen as a strength in keeping the focus on an upcoming demonstration, slightly more visual engagement would create a richer, more cohesive flow in the presentation. It’s always a good idea to maintain interest without compromising the clarity and purpose of such transitional slides.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>End-to-End Solution </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/fec05c5b-3d2a-4175-43e2-2b1468bdfd00/public" alt="End-to-End Solution slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This "End-to-End Solution" slide does a commendable job of illustrating Dwolla's comprehensive approach to handling transactions. The layout is structured in a logical flow from "Money In" to "Money Out," providing a clear visual path that guides the viewer through the process. The use of icons and arrows helps break down the information into digestible parts, making it easier to understand the complex transaction journey. However, while the slide effectively uses visuals, it could benefit from a bit more branding to tie it more closely with Dwolla’s overall presentation style. Adding a consistent color theme or incorporating more of Dwolla’s brand elements would enhance brand recognition. Also, while the slide is not overwhelmingly crowded, some simplification might further improve clarity, especially to ensure that all viewers can easily grasp the detailed information provided. Overall, this slide successfully balances text and visuals to depict how Dwolla's network facilitates smooth and secure financial transactions. It is informative and effectively communicates the wide-ranging capabilities of the platform. Enhancing branding consistency and ensuring simplicity could make it even more effective in conveying Dwolla's end-to-end solutions to potential investors and stakeholders.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>Under the hood </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/1e7df648-df08-440c-b3df-3d34ed7cb000/public" alt="Under the hood slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide titled "Under the hood" aims to delve into the technical assets that power Dwolla's operations. It provides a glimpse into their unique technologies and pending patents. The use of bullet points helps organize these elements into a straightforward list, making potentially complex technological concepts easier to digest. It’s great that they have highlighted key proprietary aspects, like their branded engine and real-time settlement features. However, the slide feels underwhelming in terms of visuals, with limited branding and engagement elements. The placeholder text like "Secret Sauce" and "Cool, technical sounding stuff goes here" suggests it may not be finalized, but it falls short in providing a concrete picture of Dwolla’s technological strengths. Incorporating some diagrams or icons could have visually represented the "tech under the hood," bringing more life and clarity to these otherwise vague descriptions. In summary, while the slide successfully lists the key technological features, it doesn’t fully capture the depth or intrigue that Dwolla’s innovations likely deserve. A more comprehensive visualization and clearer descriptions would enhance understanding and interest for potential investors or stakeholders, leaving a stronger impression of Dwolla’s technological prowess.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>THE DWOLLA NETWORK </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/e9bbbf37-84fb-4195-9c83-f6ee0a8cf400/public" alt="THE DWOLLA NETWORK slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "THE DWOLLA NETWORK," effectively communicates Dwolla’s commitment to safety, privacy, and innovation. By focusing on privacy features and their ability to protect sensitive financial information, the slide reassures potential users and investors about the network’s secure nature. The bullet points make it easy to follow along, explaining how innovations like the "Add/Remove Features" enhance user control over data access. It's concise and straight to the point, which I really appreciate. Despite its clarity, the slide could benefit from more visual elements. Adding icons or graphics related to privacy and security would make the content more engaging and memorable. Right now, it's quite text-heavy, which might not capture attention as strongly as a more visually balanced slide could. Additionally, incorporating more branding elements, such as consistent colors and logos, could help tie this slide into the overall presentation more smoothly. In summary, this slide does a great job of outlining Dwolla’s strengths in safeguarding user data and supporting third-party innovation through an open-loop system. Enhancing the visual appeal with branding elements and icons could elevate its effectiveness, making sure the message resonates well with the audience. As it stands, it’s informative but could use a touch of visual flair to maximize impact.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>THE DWOLLA NETWORK </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/30a6185c-85bb-4c1d-024f-f2237435f700/public" alt="THE DWOLLA NETWORK slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide, titled "THE DWOLLA NETWORK," effectively breaks down the key advantages of Dwolla’s platform. It highlights the low-cost, asset-light nature of the network, emphasizing how it cuts down on expensive card fees and offers a straightforward fee model. The bullet points neatly organize these selling points, making it easy for viewers to grasp Dwolla’s value proposition at a glance. It's encouraging to see how they communicate the benefits of free micro-transactions, tapping into innovations and market opportunities. However, the slide could benefit from more visual elements to enhance understanding and retention. While the text is clear and concise, incorporating icons or graphics could make it more engaging and lively. Besides, adding some of Dwolla's branding elements, such as a consistent color scheme or logo, could help reinforce brand identity and keep the visuals cohesive throughout the presentation. Overall, this slide serves its purpose well by clearly conveying Dwolla’s strengths in cost-efficiency and accessibility. Balancing the informative text with visually appealing elements could improve the impact and memorability for the audience, making Dwolla's network offerings even more compelling. The structured presentation of information is a strong point, though elevated visual engagement would enhance it further.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>OPPORTUNITY FOR DWOLLA IN US MARKET </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/f6b783a8-7aec-4be1-5f19-c4fecf664500/public" alt="OPPORTUNITY FOR DWOLLA IN US MARKET slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide emphasizes the vast opportunities available for Dwolla both in the U.S. and globally. By presenting impressive figures such as ~$40T exchanged through ACH and ~$600T in wire payments, it effectively communicates the scale of the market Dwolla can tap into. The text is well-organized and contrasts nicely against the slide's background, making it easy to read. Including a couple of maps adds a visual element that helps break up the text and gives a geographical perspective on Dwolla's potential reach. However, the slide could be even more engaging with additional visuals. While the maps are helpful, using charts or infographics to illustrate some of the data points could make the statistics more impactful. Additionally, incorporating Dwolla’s branding, such as icons or colors, would help tie this information back to the company's identity, making it more memorable for the audience. In summary, this slide does a solid job of highlighting the massive market opportunities available to Dwolla. It could further enhance its effectiveness by balancing text with more dynamic visuals and branding. Presenting the information in a more visually engaging way could help better capture and maintain the audience's attention, driving home the breadth of Dwolla's potential market influence.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>References </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/1b3de623-faf9-47c8-30d5-b52fcc804100/public" alt="References slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This "References" slide is straightforward, presenting a list of sources that back up the data and claims made throughout the presentation. It’s always a good practice to provide references, as it lends credibility and allows interested viewers to dig deeper into the information. The URLs are clear and accessible, which supports transparency and trustworthiness. However, the slide lacks visual elements and could be improved by incorporating branding or design. Adding a visual component, even something as simple as a logo or subtle background design, would help maintain consistency with the rest of the presentation. Additionally, hyperlinks can often break up the monotony of text, but in this case, they might overwhelm viewers since they’re presented as long URLs. Shortened links or organized categories might make the slide easier to navigate. In essence, while the slide fulfills its purpose by listing the sources, its visual appeal falls short. Integrating more design elements could enhance engagement and prevent the slide from feeling like an afterthought. A bit more effort in layout and branding could reinforce the presentation’s professionalism and help maintain interest even at the very end.</p> <br> <hr> <h2>2013 Hiring/Expansion Plan </h2> <br> <img src="https://imagedelivery.net/9intrh8-kd7PGClXJhlmKw/10110b17-957b-4d19-b016-013249eb3000/public" alt="2013 Hiring/Expansion Plan slide screenshot"> <br> <p> This slide titled "2013 Hiring/Expansion Plan" gives a clear overview of Dwolla's growth strategy for the year. I like how it systematically breaks down the key hires and total team counts, making it easy to understand the areas of focus for expansion. The use of bullet points ensures that the information is organized and easy to digest, while the map provides a visual representation of their physical expansion strategy, highlighting the planned West Coast office in San Francisco. On the downside, while the map is a nice touch, additional visuals or infographics could enhance the slide’s appeal and comprehension. For example, using icons to represent different team areas could make the slide more engaging. The timeline at the bottom is a good concept, showing growth over the months, but it could be more visually integrated with the rest of the content. Additionally, some branding elements like colors or logos would help reinforce Dwolla's identity within the slide. Overall, this slide delivers important hiring and expansion details effectively but could benefit from more dynamic visuals. By incorporating more engaging elements, the presentation could capture the audience's interest and convey Dwolla's growth strategy with greater impact. The information is well-structured, but a touch of creativity could further enhance its effectiveness.</p> <br> <hr>
