Ziyen Inc. Pitch Deck Teardown: A Nationalist Approach

Executive Summary and Mission

Slide 1: Title and Mission Statement

The deck opens with a bold red title slide for Ziyen Inc. , described as a 'Scottish-American company.' The core value proposition is immediately stated: 'Focused on creating 100% energy independence for the USA.' This slide establishes the presentation as a 'Non-confidential investor presentation' dated April 2018. The background image features a digital billboard in what appears to be Times Square, announcing that Ziyen Inc. 'Wins Second Indiana Oil Contract,' providing an immediate, if unverified, sense of momentum.

Slide 2: The Macro Problem

Slide 2 uses a data-heavy approach to frame the problem. It asserts that the US is capable of self-sustainment but that 'big oil is exclusively profit-focused.' The slide lists several key metrics: 10.1M barrels of oil imported daily, $640M in potential daily investment missed by the US economy, and $238B in oil dollars leaving the US for countries like Canada, Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC nations. It also claims that big oil avoids $83B in annual taxes by importing rather than producing domestically. Finally, it notes that only ~50% of potential US oil production is currently utilized, and links foreign oil dependency directly to 'War.'

Slide 9: Geopolitical Context

To reinforce the urgency of the problem, slide 9 pivots to political validation. It features portraits and quotes from both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Bush is quoted regarding the instability of nations the US depends on for oil, while Obama is quoted describing oil as a 'weapon' used by enemies. By using quotes from both sides of the political aisle, Ziyen attempts to frame energy independence as a non-partisan issue of national security.

Operational Strategy

Slide 13: Streamlined Processes

This slide outlines the company's operational flow across three pillars: Oil Production , Oil Gathering , and Refining . Under production, it mentions oil produced on leases and held in storage. For gathering, it notes the use of trucks or pipelines if the lease is close. The refining section highlights that there are 141 refineries in the US and claims Ziyen Energy has 'already been advised all oil we produce will be purchased and entered into the supply chain.' The slide concludes with the mantra: 'Oil produced in America is consumed in America.'

Slide 17: The Energy Transition

Slide 17 addresses the global shift toward renewable energy. It acknowledges that governments and businesses are examining their environmental footprints. However, it makes a distinction between electricity generation (where renewables are prevalent) and transportation (where petroleum remains dominant). The slide states that Ziyen is 'creating strategies' to convert 'old energy into new energy,' though it provides no specific technical details on how this conversion occurs or what the 'new energy' products are.

Financial and Competitive Positioning

Slide 21: The Traditional Model Critique

Ziyen uses slide 21 to argue that the 'traditional oil and gas model can be dramatically improved.' The slide features a flowchart showing how gross revenue is eroded by variable COGS, fixed operational expenses, and a lack of tax credits. It specifically calls out the corporate tax rate (noting a change from 35% to 21%) and individual shareholder taxes of approximately 30%. The implication is that Ziyen’s model will somehow mitigate these losses, though the slide does not explicitly show the 'Ziyen Model' for comparison.

Slide 25: Competitive Advantage

Titled 'Well positioned vs competition,' this slide introduces the 'Ziyen Advantage.' The primary goals are to ensure 'cheaper production costs' and 'lower operating and overhead costs.' The company relies on its 'technical team' to provide this edge, claiming their experience with the 'biggest operators in the world' makes their in-house capability superior to any 'medium-sized domestic operator in the Basin.' This is a classic 'team-as-a-moat' argument.

Leadership and Team

Slide 29: Management Team

The final slide in this selection introduces two key executives. Shane Fraser , the Oil Intelligence Director, is presented as a highly experienced engineer with 28 years in the field, including 21 years at Royal Dutch Shell. Cindy Foong , the Chief Accounting Officer, is credited with 15 years of experience in taxation and SEC reporting. The focus on SEC reporting and complex transactions suggests the company may be eyeing a public listing or is already operating under strict regulatory oversight.

What Ziyen Inc. Does Well

The deck is highly effective at narrative framing . By tying domestic oil production to national security and economic patriotism, Ziyen elevates a standard commodity business into a mission-driven venture. The use of bipartisan political quotes (Slide 9) is a clever way to broaden investor appeal. Furthermore, the deck does a good job of identifying specific pain points in the traditional industry model, particularly regarding tax inefficiencies and the drain on the US economy (Slide 2 and Slide 21).

The emphasis on a guaranteed supply chain (Slide 13) is another strength. For an oil producer, proving that the product is pre-sold or easily integrated into existing refineries removes a significant layer of market risk for a potential investor. The team slide (Slide 29) also provides strong credibility, specifically citing tenure at a 'Supermajor' like Shell.

What is Missing from the Deck

The most glaring omission in this selection of slides is a clear financial forecast . While the deck critiques the 'Traditional Model,' it does not provide a pro-forma look at Ziyen's expected margins, revenue growth, or break-even points. There is also no specific funding ask or 'Use of Funds' slide included here, leaving the investor unclear on how much capital is needed and what it will be spent on (e.g., acquiring new leases, equipment, or R&D for renewables).

Additionally, the renewable energy strategy (Slide 17) is extremely vague. For a company claiming to convert 'old energy into new energy,' there is a lack of technical roadmap or specific project examples. Finally, while the deck mentions the 'Basin' (Slide 25), it does not specify which basin they are targeting (e.g., Permian, Appalachian, etc.), which is a critical detail for oil and gas investors who need to understand geological risk.

Founder Takeaways: What to Copy

Macro-to-Micro Flow: Start with a massive, undeniable problem (Slide 2) and then position your company as the logical solution. Ziyen moves from $238B in lost economy to their specific production model. · Bipartisan Validation: If your industry is politically sensitive, use quotes or data from multiple perspectives to show that your solution is universally necessary (Slide 9). · Visualizing Inefficiency: The flowchart on Slide 21 is a great way to show exactly where money is 'leaking' out of a traditional business model. Founders should use this to highlight why their new model is financially superior. · Specific Team Pedigree: Don't just list names; list specific years of experience and recognizable company names (Slide 29). Saying '21 years at Shell' is much more powerful than saying 'extensive industry experience.' · Market Certainty: If you have agreements or 'advice' that your product will be purchased, state it clearly (Slide 13). Reducing the 'will anyone buy this?' risk is paramount for early-stage investors.