When creating a pitch deck to present to investors, what are some must-haves & some must-not haves? Is there a standard format?

If I understood well your question, you're looking for a Business Plan. There are some very good downloadable examples that can help you as a guideline to make your own with your idea or company specific data. You could as well keep the topics presented in your type-of-business business plan example.

bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.