What is a Pitch Deck Disclaimer [How to Write One]
- Ink Narrates | The Presentation Design Agency
- 14 hours ago
- 9 min read
“A lawyer tore our pitch deck apart two days before we sent it to investors,” Ted told us while we were working on his pitch deck. “Not because the story was bad, but because one missing paragraph could get us sued.”
That problem is exactly why Ted hired us.
While working on hundreds of pitch decks, we have seen the same issue repeat itself again and again. Founders spend weeks perfecting the slides and forget the one page that quietly protects everything they just built.
So, in this blog, we are going to break down what a pitch deck disclaimer actually is, why it matters more than you think, and how you can write one without sounding like a legal robot or scaring investors away. When you finish reading this, you will know what belongs in a pitch deck disclaimer, what absolutely does not, and how to use it as a shield instead of an afterthought.
In case you didn't know, we specialize in only one thing: making pitch decks. We can help you by designing your slides and writing your content too.
What is a Pitch Deck Disclaimer
A pitch deck disclaimer is a short legal statement that explains how your pitch deck should be used, interpreted, and shared. It sets expectations and protects you from misunderstandings before they become problems.
Here is what a pitch deck disclaimer is not...
1. It is not filler
It is not a slide you add at the last minute just to look professional. Copy pasted legal text that does not match your business is worse than having nothing at all.
2. It is not a promise
A disclaimer does not guarantee outcomes, returns, or success. It exists to clarify that your deck shares information, not certainty.
3. It is not a shield for bad claims
You cannot make exaggerated or misleading statements and expect a disclaimer to save you. Accuracy still matters.
Here's Our Disclaimer: We are a pitch deck agency, not legal experts. What we share here is based on how disclaimers are framed, written, and designed inside real pitch decks. We are not offering legal advice, and we are not covering the legal validity of disclaimers. For that, you should always consult a qualified legal professional.
(Also Read: Pitch Deck Confidentiality)
How to Write Your Pitch Deck's Disclaimer
Most founders treat the pitch deck disclaimer like a fire extinguisher. Something you hang on the wall, hope you never use, and barely remember exists. Investors do not see it that way. They see it as the first signal of how you think, how you communicate risk, and whether you understand the difference between confidence and carelessness.
Let us be clear about one thing before we go further. A pitch deck disclaimer is not about fear. It is about framing. It is about setting the mental context in which everything else in your deck is read. If you get that framing wrong, even a great deck can be misunderstood.
So, here is how to write a pitch deck disclaimer that does its job without killing momentum or trust.
Start With the Purpose, Not the Language
Before you write a single word, you need to answer one question honestly. What are you trying to prevent?
Most founders cannot answer this. They jump straight into copying language instead of clarifying intent.
Your disclaimer usually exists to do a few specific things:
Clarify that the information is confidential
Explain that projections are assumptions, not promises
State that the deck is for discussion, not a formal offer
Limit how the information can be shared or reused
That is it. If your disclaimer goes beyond that, you are probably overthinking it.
When you know the purpose, the language becomes simpler. You stop sounding like a contract and start sounding like a professional adult who understands boundaries.
Keep It Short Enough to Be Read
If your disclaimer is longer than the slide that follows it, you have already lost.
Investors skim. They always skim. A disclaimer that requires effort will be ignored or worse, resented. The goal is not to cover every possible scenario. The goal is to communicate the rules of engagement in seconds.
A good mental test is this. Could someone understand the intent of your disclaimer in one glance? If not, cut it down.
You are not writing for a court. You are writing for a human being deciding whether to keep reading.
Use Plain Language on Purpose
Founders often assume that legal sounding language equals protection. In reality, it usually signals insecurity.
Plain language does three things:
It makes your intent clearer
It builds trust instead of suspicion
It reduces the risk of being misunderstood
For example, saying “This deck contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties” sounds impressive but says nothing useful to a reader.
Saying “Some of the numbers you see are projections based on assumptions and may change” is clearer and more honest.
Clarity beats complexity every single time.
Do Not Apologize in Your Disclaimer
This is a subtle mistake that shows up constantly.
Founders soften their disclaimer with phrases like “please note” or “we apologize if” or “this is just an early idea.” That language undermines everything that follows.
Your disclaimer is not an apology letter. It is a boundary setter.
You can be respectful without being self-conscious. Confidence and caution are not opposites. They are partners.
Avoid Absolute Statements
Another common mistake is using absolute language that traps you later.
Words like “guarantee,” “will,” or “cannot” are unnecessary and risky. You are better off using framing language that signals intent rather than certainty.
For example:
Instead of saying the information cannot be shared, say it is intended to remain confidential
Instead of saying projections will be accurate, say they are based on current assumptions
This kind of language feels reasonable to investors because it mirrors how they already think.
Place the Disclaimer Where It Makes Sense
There is no single correct place for a pitch deck disclaimer, but there are wrong ones.
Burying it at the very end makes it feel like an afterthought. Leading with a full slide of dense text can feel cold.
Most effective decks do one of the following:
A short disclaimer slide at the beginning
A brief disclaimer combined with the cover slide
A footer disclaimer with a slightly expanded version at the end
What matters is visibility, not dominance. The disclaimer should be noticeable without demanding attention.
Design It Like a Human, Not a Lawyer
Design matters more than founders think here.
A disclaimer in tiny font screams fear. A disclaimer in giant bold text screams paranoia. Both distract from your message.
Use readable font sizes. Give it breathing room. Keep contrast high enough to read without effort.
Most importantly, do not make it visually aggressive. This is not a warning label. It is context.
A clean, calm disclaimer signals confidence. A messy one signals stress.
Match the Tone of the Deck
Your disclaimer should sound like it belongs to the same company that wrote the rest of the deck.
If your deck is conversational and modern, a stiff disclaimer feels out of place. If your deck is formal and data driven, a casual disclaimer may feel careless.
Tone consistency builds trust because it suggests coherence. Investors are subconsciously looking for signs that your company knows who it is.
Your disclaimer is part of that story.
Do Not Over Explain
One of the fastest ways to weaken a disclaimer is to explain it too much.
You do not need to justify why you included it. You do not need to educate the reader about legal concepts. You do not need to repeat yourself in different words.
State the boundary. Move on.
The more you explain, the more attention you draw to what you are trying to limit.
Avoid Copying From Other Decks Blindly
This deserves its own callout because it is so common.
Founders borrow disclaimers from other decks without understanding them. Different industries, different stages, different audiences. Same disclaimer.
That is how you end up with irrelevant language that confuses more than it protects.
Use examples as inspiration, not templates. Your disclaimer should reflect your business, your data, and your intent.
Write It for the Investor You Want
Here is a useful mental shift.
Your disclaimer is not written for the investor you fear. It is written for the investor you want.
The right investor understands risk. They do not need dramatic warnings. They need clarity.
When you write with that reader in mind, your disclaimer becomes calm, reasonable, and brief. Exactly what it should be.
Test It Like Any Other Slide
Most founders never test their disclaimer. They assume it is invisible.
That is a mistake.
Show your deck to someone unfamiliar with your business. Ask them what the disclaimer made them feel. Confused. Reassured. Annoyed. Neutral.
If it distracts or raises questions, revise it.
A good disclaimer disappears into the background. A bad one becomes a speed bump.
Keep It Updated as the Deck Evolves
Your pitch deck is not static. Your disclaimer should not be either.
As your business matures, assumptions change. The audience changes. The risks change.
A seed stage disclaimer may not fit a Series B deck. A fundraising deck may not fit a partnership deck.
Revisit it regularly. Treat it like part of the narrative, not a checkbox.
Remember What the Disclaimer Is Really Doing
At its core, a pitch deck disclaimer does one simple thing. It sets expectations before interpretation begins.
It tells the reader how to read what follows.
When written well, it protects you quietly and builds trust subtly. When written poorly, it creates friction and doubt.
You do not need to sound like a lawyer. You need to sound like someone who understands how information should be shared responsibly.
That is the real goal.
Does Your Pitch Deck Even Need a Disclaimer?
Not every pitch deck needs a disclaimer. That might sound strange coming from a pitch deck agency, but it is true. Adding one blindly can create more friction than protection.
So how do you know if yours actually needs one?
Start by asking what kind of information you are sharing.
If your deck includes sensitive data, internal metrics, future projections, or strategic details you would not want circulating freely, a disclaimer makes sense. You are setting a boundary before the deck leaves your hands.
If your deck is high level, narrative driven, and closer to a teaser than a deep dive, a disclaimer may be unnecessary. In those cases, it can feel excessive and slightly defensive.
Next, consider who you are sending it to.
Warm introductions to trusted investors often require less framing. Cold outreach, large investor lists, or decks that will be forwarded multiple times benefit more from a disclaimer because you lose control quickly.
Also think about how confident your story is.
Early-stage decks with lots of assumptions and evolving numbers usually need a disclaimer to frame uncertainty honestly. Later stage decks with audited data may not need much beyond a light confidentiality note.
Here is a simple rule.
If your deck could be misunderstood, misused, or misquoted outside of a conversation, a disclaimer helps. If it cannot, skip it.
The goal is not to protect yourself from everything. It is to protect the conversation you actually want to have.
Where Most Pitch Deck Disclaimers Quietly Go Wrong
They over signal risk
Many founders think more caution equals more protection. In reality, heavy disclaimers communicate insecurity. If your disclaimer feels heavier than your vision, investors sense that imbalance immediately.
The tone does not match the deck
A cautious disclaimer paired with an overly confident deck creates friction. So does a dramatic disclaimer in an otherwise grounded story. When tone is inconsistent, trust weakens quietly.
The design creates resistance
Dense text, tiny fonts, or awkward placement draw the wrong kind of attention. Visual tension turns into mental resistance, even if the words are reasonable.
They are written too early
Disclaimers written before the deck often miss the mark. Write it last so it reflects the actual certainty, maturity, and voice of your story.
A good disclaimer supports the conversation without announcing itself.
FAQ: Do investors actually read pitch deck disclaimers?
Most investors do not read disclaimers word by word. They skim them quickly and move on. What they absorb is the tone and intent rather than the details.
That is why clarity matters more than length. A short, reasonable disclaimer builds quiet trust. A long or aggressive one creates friction even if it is ignored.
FAQ: Should every version of my pitch deck have the same disclaimer?
No. Different decks serve different purposes. A fundraising deck, a partner deck, and a teaser deck do not carry the same level of risk or detail.
Your disclaimer should evolve with the deck. As the audience, data, and intent change, the framing should change too.
FAQ: Can a disclaimer hurt my chances with investors?
Yes, if it is poorly written. Overly defensive language or excessive warnings can make you sound unsure of your own business.
A well written disclaimer does the opposite. It shows you understand how information should be shared and that you respect the reader’s intelligence.
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