Deep Tech · Series B Stage Board Meeting

Deep Tech Series B Board Deck Template

A complete board meeting presentation template for Deep Tech startups at the Series B stage. KPI dashboard, financial performance, product update, sales pipeline, and strategic decisions — structured the way experienced boards run effective meetings.

All Templates

Meeting Cadence

Monthly formal board meeting + bi-weekly audit committee call

Meeting Length

3–4 hours

Pack Deadline

72 hours before meeting

Board Size

5–7 members: CEO, 2 investor directors, 2 independent directors, optional observer seats

Running Effective Series B Board Meetings

Series B board governance is increasingly institutional. Build a dedicated board operations function (can be the CFO or a fractional board secretary). Track all board commitments and action items in a formal tracker reviewed at the start of each meeting.

Deep Tech Board Context

Deep tech boards often have classified or controlled technology discussions that require special handling. ITAR and EAR-controlled technology discussions should be limited to board members with appropriate clearances or need-to-know.

Board Deck Structure — 8 Standard Sections

1. Agenda and Previous Action Item Review

Open with meeting agenda, approved minutes from the prior meeting, and status update on all prior action items. This sets accountability and context before any performance review.

2. KPI Dashboard — Deep Tech Metrics

Present current period actuals vs. plan and vs. prior period for all key metrics. Traffic light status (green/yellow/red) on each metric makes the dashboard scannable.

  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by program
  • Patent filings and grants this period
  • Government contract and grant pipeline
  • Prototype performance vs. specification
  • Cash and runway with grant award probability

3. Financial Performance

  • Grant revenue realized vs. pipeline
  • R&D burn by program with milestone-to-spend mapping
  • Capital equipment and facility investment
  • Cash and runway with next SBIR/equity trigger

4. Product and Engineering Update

  • TRL progression and evidence for each program
  • Performance benchmark results vs. spec
  • Manufacturing scale-up milestones and partner qualification
  • IP portfolio additions and competitive filing activity

5. Sales, Marketing, and Pipeline Review

  • Government contract pursuit and proposal pipeline
  • Commercial LOI and pilot customer pipeline
  • Strategic partnership discussions and MoU status
  • Defense or government program office relationships

6. Hiring and Team Update

Current headcount vs. plan, new hires this period, open roles, and any departures. Include a brief note on team health and any organizational design changes. Board visibility into executive team changes is a governance requirement.

7. Strategic Decisions and Discussion Topics

The most important section — this is why you have a board. Include 2–3 decisions or discussion topics that require board input or approval:

  • TRL prioritization and resource allocation across programs
  • Commercial market entry timing and go-to-market strategy
  • Export control strategy for international expansion
  • Dual-use technology strategy and ethics framework

8. Action Items and Next Meeting

Close the meeting by assigning all action items with owner, deadline, and success criteria. Confirm the next board meeting date. Distribute meeting minutes within 48 hours of the meeting.

Governance Requirements at the Series B Stage

Board Composition

5–7 members: CEO, 2 investor directors, 2 independent directors, optional observer seats. Audit and compensation committees are formally constituted.

Pack Distribution Timeline

72 hours before meeting. Board members should have enough time to review all materials and come prepared with questions — not learning the data for the first time during the meeting.

Formal Requirements

  • Formally approved board minutes
  • Audit committee quarterly financial review
  • Compensation committee equity and bonus approvals
  • Annual say-on-pay and director compensation review
  • Related-party transaction approval process
  • D&O and E&O insurance review annually

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a Series B Deep Tech board deck include?

A Series B Deep Tech board deck should cover: a KPI dashboard (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by program, Patent filings and grants this period, Government contract and grant pipeline), financial performance, product update, sales pipeline, team update, and strategic decisions requiring board input. Deep tech boards often have classified or controlled technology discussions that require special handling. ITAR and EAR-controlled technology discussions should be limited to board members with appropriate clearances or need-to-know.

How often should Series B startups have board meetings?

Monthly formal board meeting + bi-weekly audit committee call. Board meetings at the Series B stage are 3–4 hours and materials should be distributed 72 hours before meeting.

What Deep Tech-specific metrics belong in the board deck KPI dashboard?

Your Deep Tech board KPI dashboard should track: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by program, Patent filings and grants this period, Government contract and grant pipeline, Prototype performance vs. specification, Cash and runway with grant award probability. Present current period actuals vs. plan and vs. prior period for each metric.

What should the financial section of a board deck include?

The financial section should cover: Grant revenue realized vs. pipeline; R&D burn by program with milestone-to-spend mapping; Capital equipment and facility investment; Cash and runway with next SBIR/equity trigger. Send the financial data in the pre-read 48–72 hours before the meeting. The board meeting is for discussing implications and decisions, not for first-pass review.

What governance requirements apply to Series B startups?

Series B startups need: Formally approved board minutes, Audit committee quarterly financial review, Compensation committee equity and bonus approvals, Annual say-on-pay and director compensation review, Related-party transaction approval process, D&O and E&O insurance review annually. Board composition at this stage is typically 5–7 members: CEO, 2 investor directors, 2 independent directors, optional observer seats. Audit and compensation committees are formally constituted.. Series B board governance is increasingly institutional. Build a dedicated board operations function (can be the CFO or a fractional board secretary). Track all board commitments and action items in a formal tracker reviewed at the start of each meeting.

Download This Board Deck

Get the Deep Tech Series B board deck as a Google Slides and PowerPoint template. Every slide pre-built with the right structure — customize with your metrics and ship your next board pack faster.

Includes board deck, action item tracker, and governance calendar template

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