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The Pitch Deck I'm Using to Launch RezumAI (And What I've Learned Building My First SaaS)

I'm building RezumAI while studying Computer Engineering at Cal Poly. Here's the pitch deck I'm using to talk to potential advisors, early users, and anyone who will listen to a college student trying to solve the broken job application process.

August 17, 2025 · 10 min read

I started RezumAI in my dorm room after watching friends spend hours tailoring resumes only to get automated rejection emails. What began as a simple ATS optimizer has evolved into a comprehensive AI-powered career platform.

What a journey.

This post walks through the pitch deck I'm using, but more importantly, it's about what I've learned building a technical product while juggling engineering coursework and trying to understand the business side of SaaS.

For context: There are plenty of pitch decks from funded startups online. But not many from engineering students building their first product. I hope sharing my process—mistakes and all—helps others in similar situations.

The Structure and What I'm Pitching on Each Slide

Here's the deck breakdown—why I included each slide and what I'm actually saying during pitches.

0. Cover

Setting the tone with clean design and our tagline: "The Complete AI-Powered Career Assistant"

What I'm saying: "RezumAI transforms the entire job application journey—from resume creation to interview success—using cutting-edge AI technology."

1. Problem We're Solving

75% of resumes never make it past ATS filters. Job seekers spend hours per application, yet most get auto-rejected. The tools available are either outdated Word templates or expensive services that don't understand modern hiring systems.

What I'm saying: "The job application process is fundamentally broken. We're not just building another resume builder—we're creating an intelligent system that understands both what ATS systems want and what makes candidates stand out to humans."

2. Our Vision

Democratize access to career advancement tools. Every job seeker should have AI-powered assistance that previously only executives could afford through career coaches.

What I'm saying: "By building the most comprehensive AI career platform, we're not just helping people get jobs—we're leveling the playing field in the job market."

3. Our Solution - The Complete Feature Suite

RezumAI isn't just one tool—it's a comprehensive platform covering the entire application process:

  • Resume Building & Management: AI-powered builder with 5 professional templates, unlimited resumes (Pro/Lifetime), folder organization, and real-time collaboration
  • AI Content Generation: Automatic bullet point writing, professional summaries, tailored cover letters, and even resignation letters—all powered by advanced NLP
  • ATS Optimization: Real-time scoring (0-100 scale), keyword targeting, gap analysis, and 23+ metrics for resume strength evaluation
  • Expert Review Service: Human experts provide comprehensive feedback, with Pro users getting 1 free review per month

What I'm saying: "Think of it as Grammarly meets LinkedIn meets a personal career coach—all powered by AI that actually understands recruiting."

4. Our Tech Stack & AI Integration

Built with Next.js, TypeScript, and Firebase for scalability. Powered by Google Gemini for advanced language understanding. Our AI goes deeper than competitors:

  • Context-aware processing that understands industry nuances
  • Minimal-touch optimization philosophy—maximum impact with minimal changes
  • Smart bullet point generator creating achievement-focused content with metrics
  • Resume-to-job matching analyzing compatibility in real-time

What I'm saying: "We're not just using AI as a buzzword. Our system actually understands the semantic meaning of job requirements and can match them intelligently."

5. Revenue Model

Three-tier pricing strategy designed for different user needs:

  • Free Plan: 1 resume, basic templates, limited AI features, 3 PDF downloads
  • Pro Plan ($29/month): Unlimited resumes, full AI suite, monthly expert review, all premium templates, advanced analytics
  • Lifetime Plan ($149 one-time): All Pro features forever, no recurring fees, all future updates included

What I'm saying: "The free tier gets users hooked on the value. Pro serves active job seekers. Lifetime captures value-conscious users who hate subscriptions."

6. Traction & Early Validation

Started with 50 beta users from my university. Now seeing organic growth through:

  • Word-of-mouth in engineering and business student communities
  • Reddit posts in career-focused subreddits gaining traction
  • SEO content starting to rank for long-tail keywords
  • 85%+ average ATS compatibility scores across user resumes

What I'm saying: "We're seeing product-market fit signals. Users are upgrading to Pro after seeing their ATS scores improve, and they're telling their friends."

7. Go-To-Market Strategy

Three-pronged approach to reach job seekers where they are:

  • University Partnerships: Starting with Cal Poly career center, expanding to UC system
  • Content Marketing: SEO-optimized guides, ATS tips, industry-specific advice
  • Community Building: Discord server for job seekers, weekly resume reviews

What I'm saying: "We're building where our users already gather—university career centers, Reddit communities, and Discord servers. No expensive ads needed."

8. Market Differentiators

What makes RezumAI different in a crowded market:

  • AI Integration Depth: Google Gemini integration with context-aware processing, not just basic templates
  • Comprehensive Platform: End-to-end solution from resume to cover letter to expert review
  • Technical Innovation: Real-time processing, mobile-first design, API-ready for enterprise
  • Human + AI Hybrid: Expert reviewers provide feedback AI can't

What I'm saying: "Competitors either have good AI or good UX or expert reviews. We're the only platform combining all three at an accessible price point."

9. The Bigger Picture

The recruiting industry is a $200B market ripe for disruption. LinkedIn owns professional networking, Indeed owns job boards, but nobody owns the application layer.

What I'm saying: "This isn't about competing with LinkedIn. It's about owning the critical moment when professionals translate their experience into opportunities."

10. Team

Solo technical founder with deep expertise in full-stack development and AI integration. Currently building advisory board with recruiting and B2B SaaS experience.

What I'm saying: "I've built the entire platform solo while maintaining a 3.8 GPA in Computer Engineering. Imagine what we could do with resources and the right team."

11. The Ask

Looking for advisors, early users, and strategic partners who understand the recruiting space. Not raising capital yet—focused on reaching profitability through organic growth.

What I'm saying: "I'm not asking for money. I'm asking for expertise, connections, and users who can help shape the product direction."

What I've Learned So Far

Technical skills aren't enough. I can build anything, but building the right thing requires understanding users deeply. I've spent more time in career subreddits than coding lately, and that's been the right choice.

Start with one killer feature. RezumAI has dozens of features now, but what got people excited initially was simple: showing them their ATS score in real-time. Everything else came after we had that hook.

Distribution is harder than development. I can add a new AI feature in a weekend. Getting users to discover and trust the product? That's the real challenge. Every technical founder learns this eventually.

Pricing is psychological. The lifetime plan at $149 makes the $29/month Pro plan feel reasonable. Some users do the math and go lifetime. Others see the monthly as low-commitment. Both work.

Being a student is an advantage. People are more willing to help, give feedback, and spread the word when they know you're building this between midterms and problem sets. Use that goodwill wisely.

Final Thoughts

A good pitch deck doesn't guarantee success, and a perfect product doesn't sell itself. What matters is talking to users, iterating quickly, and having the stamina to push through the inevitable "why am I doing this" moments at 3 AM.

RezumAI started as a class project. Now it's a real product with paying users. The journey from idea to revenue is shorter than you think if you're willing to ship imperfect versions and listen to feedback.

If you're a student thinking about building something: start now. The worst that happens is you learn a ton and have something interesting to talk about in interviews. The best case? You might just build something people actually want.