How to Make a Co-Working Space Pitch Deck [With a Unique Angle]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- Feb 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 22
While working with our client Daniel on his co-working startup pitch deck, he asked us:
"I’ve looked at many other co-working pitch decks and even tried making one myself before hiring your agency. I’m curious why they all end up looking the same."
We make many co-working space pitch decks throughout the year and have observed a common pattern: most co-working decks out there follow the same old pattern, which makes them predictable and easy to overlook.
So, in this blog, we’ll cover how to make your co-working space pitch deck differently to stand out. If you follow along, you’ll see it doesn’t have to be complicated to be persuasive.
In case you didn't know, we are pitch deck specialists. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
The Copycat Style Founders Keep Using in Co-Working Decks
We keep seeing the same thing. Founders are copying the narrative style of WeWork’s pitch deck. Every. Single. Slide. We get it. WeWork’s story is polished, famous, and it clearly worked for them. So why not try the same story, right?
Here’s the problem: it doesn’t work for you.
Investors aren’t impressed by a story that worked for someone else.
They want a narrative that feels real, numbers that actually add up, and a vision that is unmistakably yours. When you follow someone else’s storyline to the letter, your deck becomes just another copy in a pile. It doesn’t stand out. It disappears.
Most founders using this approach pack in big ideas, inspirational language, and lofty promises without grounding it in their own business.
It might sound good, but investors are left guessing about what you actually do.
They’re listening to a story that isn’t yours instead of understanding your plan.
If you want your co-working space pitch deck to get noticed, stop copying someone else’s narrative. Take inspiration, yes, but make the story yours. Every slide should reveal a part of your journey, your vision, and your numbers. That’s how you make people actually care.
So, How to Make Your Co-Working Space Pitch Deck with a Unique Angle
Let’s be honest. Copying someone else’s pitch deck will get you nowhere. Investors see it immediately. They don’t want your version of WeWork. They want you, your story, and your vision.
The first rule: stop thinking in templates. Templates are fine for colors and fonts, but your story isn’t a formula. Your deck is your chance to show what makes your space different. If your story feels like someone else’s, you’re invisible.
1. Lead with your “why” in a way no one else has
Most decks start with generic statements like “we offer flexible office solutions” or “we create communities.” That’s everywhere. Your goal is to show the problem your space solves in a human, relatable way.
Practical approach: start with a short story of a person your space would serve.
For example: “Emma is a freelance graphic designer who struggles to find affordable workspace. She spends hours in cafés, missing out on networking opportunities.” Then show how your co-working space changes her life. This makes investors feel the problem and your solution.
2. Show your market understanding, but make it personal
Investors need data, but they also need context. Don’t just say the co-working industry is growing. Tie it to your audience.
Practical example: create a persona slide. Show 1-2 key people who represent your target audience.
Include:
Their struggles
How your space solves them
Why this market matters now
This makes your numbers relatable. Instead of abstract stats, investors can picture real people benefiting from your space.
3. Be honest about challenges
Investors know no business is perfect. Pretending otherwise makes you look naive.
Actionable step: identify one or two challenges your business faces and pair them with solutions.
For example:
Challenge: Your space isn’t leased yet.
Solution: Show your location research, pre-lease interest, or community engagement plans.
Another example: small founding team? Explain how their combined experience covers design, operations, and community-building. Honesty builds trust.
4. Make your story visual, but not shallow
Visuals are more than decoration. They should enhance understanding.
Actionable idea:
Sketch your floor plan showing zones for collaboration, quiet work, and events.
Include a “member journey” slide: show how someone enters, meets other members, and achieves tangible results from your space.
Use simple icons or diagrams to illustrate benefits instead of generic stock photos.
5. Highlight your differentiation clearly
Everyone says, “flexible and community driven.” That’s meaningless unless it’s unique to your space.
Practical ways to differentiate:
Offer specialized equipment: podcast studios, photography zones, or 3D printers.
Focus on a niche audience: designers, local freelancers, or startup founders.
Include membership perks like mentorship programs, networking events, or workshops.
Actionable step: dedicate 1-2 slides to your differentiators. Use real-life examples of how they solve member problems.
6. Use storytelling for metrics
Numbers without context are forgettable. They need a narrative.
Practical example: instead of “We expect 300 members in year one,” say:“300 members will join a space where they can network, find mentors, and launch projects that wouldn’t happen alone.”
Another approach: show growth potential visually. Use a simple chart to show membership expansion and pair it with a story: “By month six, members will have created over 50 collaborations through our event series.”
7. Craft a compelling opening and closing
Your first and last slides are crucial.
Opening ideas:
Start with a story: “A freelancer struggles to find space, collaboration, and mentors.”
Ask a question: “What if creatives could access office resources, mentorship, and collaboration for a fraction of the cost?”
Closing ideas:
Show how your space solves the problem you opened with.
Include a short, bold statement summarizing your vision.
Optional: leave a memorable image or quote that ties your story together.
8. Make it authentic
Investors invest in people, not slides. Your deck should reflect your voice, your passion, and your reason for starting the space.
Actionable step: add a short personal note or quote: “I started this space because I wanted freelancers like me to have a place to grow, connect, and succeed.”
9. Keep it concise
Unique doesn’t mean long. 10–15 slides is plenty. Each slide should deliver one message.
Practical tips:
After making your deck, show it to someone outside your industry. If they understand your story in 5 minutes, it’s clear.
Remove unnecessary slides, stats, or visuals that don’t serve the story.
FAQ: Is it Tough to Develop a Unique Story Myself?
Yes, we can say as experts that it’s not exactly a cakewalk. Crafting a story that’s both authentic and compelling takes a mix of strategy, creativity, and understanding what investors respond to. That being said, we’ve seen some fantastic narratives created by founders or internal teams on their own.
If storytelling isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring our team. We handle both writing the presentation content and designing your deck, ensuring the process is complete from start to finish. We have consistently created unique, memorable narratives.
5 Things Not to Do with Your Co-Working Space Pitch Deck
1. Don’t Lead With Funding Ask
Starting with “We’re raising $500K” is a rookie move. Investors want to know why your space matters first. Build the story, show the impact, then talk numbers.
2. Don’t Neglect the Team Slide
Your space might be brilliant, but if investors can’t see who’s driving it, they won’t bite. Don’t just list names and titles, highlight relevant experience and skills that prove you can execute.
3. Don’t Skip the Community Angle
Co-working isn’t just office space; it’s about connections and culture. Forgetting to show how your members engage, collaborate, and benefit is a missed opportunity. Include examples of events, mentorship programs, or niche communities your space supports.
4. Don’t Use Buzzwords Instead of Evidence
“Flexible, innovative, collaborative” won’t convince anyone anymore. Don’t rely on fluff, show proof. Include visuals, testimonials, or small metrics that demonstrate real impact.
5. Don’t Overcomplicate the Deck
Trying to impress by cramming slides with charts, projections, or market reports backfires. Keep it concise, clear, and focused on one takeaway per slide. Complexity doesn’t equal credibility.
FAQ: Does Design Matter? And what Visual Style Should I Use in Design?
Yes, design absolutely matters. Your deck is often the first impression investors get of your co-working space, and a clean, professional design helps your story land. It doesn’t have to be flashy or over the top, but cluttered or inconsistent visuals can distract from the narrative and make your deck hard to follow.
As for style, aim for clarity and cohesion. Use visuals that support your story, not replace it. Simple layouts, consistent colors and fonts, and relevant images or diagrams work best. Think about your audience: clean, readable slides with visuals that illustrate member journeys, floor layouts, or unique features of your space will make your deck memorable without being gimmicky.
Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?
If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.
How To Get Started?
If you want to hire us for your presentation design project, the process is extremely easy.
Just click on the "Start a Project" button on our website, calculate the price, make payment, and we'll take it from there.