High-Value Startups Do Things Other Startups Cannot
In ideating a new startup, focus on things other startups cannot do. High-value startups do things other startups cannot This value comes from several sources as follows: Technology edge. The startup has technology that translates into higher revenue and/or lower cost of service. Consider what new technologies can be applied...
How To Reach Out to an Investor
Founders raising funding must first get the attention of the investor. Some connections come through warm introductions. Others can come through cold email. Here are some key steps to take in reaching out to an investor: Research the investor to understand their investment interest. This includes the sector and stage....
Preparing Your Network for a Fundraise
One often hears of other founders raising funding in a matter of weeks. While it appears the founder raised funding with little effort, this happens because the founder spent years building relationships and curating investors. Before launching a fundraise, be sure to prepare your network. Many founders raising funding go...
Importance of Warm-Up Meetings
In preparation for raising funding, be sure to include warm-up meetings. Six months in advance of launching the fundraise, set up meetings with investors to indicate you will be raising funding soon. The purpose of the warm-up meeting is to gauge initial feedback on the idea. It also alerts the...
Require Investors To Track Your Deal
Founders raising funding pitch many investors. It’s often the case that the founder doesn’t know who is interested and who is not. One idea is to require investors to track your deal. They must remain engaged with it at some level or they are out. This pares down the investor...
The Best Startups Pick the Investors
Successful startup investing requires a consistent flow of quality deals. The best startups pick the investors. It’s the law of supply and demand. Where there are more investors than capital available to invest, the founder chooses. Here are some key steps investors should take to build that pipeline of deals:...
Founders Should Have a Nationwide View of Their Fundraise
Founders raising funding should start with family and friends. It’s not the amount of funding raised that counts, but rather the fact that one’s family and friends support the founder. From there, the founder draws the circle wider to the investors in the local community. This includes the local angel...
Investor Focus at Each Stage of the Startup
Startup investors invest across all stages of startups. For each stage, the investor should focus on a key point. Here’s a list of the investor focus at each stage of the startup: Pre-seed — focus on the team. At this stage, there’s little else to review. It’s about the team’s...
Making Money as an Angel Investor
Angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who invest in startups for a profit. They make money when the startup exits by selling the business to another company or going public. The vast majority of exits are through sales to another company. The challenge for the angel investor is that most startups...
Advantage of Sending the Pitch Deck in Advance
Investors often ask for a pitch deck in advance of the meeting. Here are the advantages of sending the pitch deck ahead of time. The investor has time to review the deck and prepare for the meeting. If the deal is completely out of scope for the investor, then canceling...
