Every day, someone comes up with a great idea that they think could make them some money. Some of the time, these ideas are good enough to get off the ground and become actualized as real businesses. However, every business needs capital, and it is for this reason that many entrepreneurs seek out investors.
Where many venture capitalists dedicate their effort and time to seeing deserving businesses thrive, bagging an investor does not come that easy. Below are a few things you can do to help your startup get venture capitalists’ investment.
1. Have Fresh Ideas
It’s easy to imagine that no one has ever come up with a business idea similar to yours, but the truth is, developing original ideas is hard and rare. Venture capitalists will not back up a knock-off of another idea; they will only put their agency behind something fresh and innovative. One of the ways to come up with a unique business model is by doing the necessary research and development on your idea. This allows both you and your potential investors to know that what they are looking at could revolutionize a particular niche.
2. Solve a Problem
It is crucial that your startup responds to a prevailing problem in society or a specific market segment. Outside of making money, does your startup provide any benefits to a significant number of people? If you consider all the major companies that are able to attract venture capitalists, you’ll find that they provide solutions that make everyday life more efficient through their products or services. A business model that works to improve people’s lives is more attractive to venture capitalists because investors want to be associated with creative solutions.
3. Work With A Capable and Competent Team
Before any venture capitalist considers making their investment, they will probably take a long hard look at your team. What are their work ethic and background qualifications? Do they love their work, and are they able to get the job done? It is essential that you find a team that is not only qualified on paper but passionate about their work and your idea. When your team believes in your idea as much as you do, they’ll see to it that the business reaches its full potential.
You also have to make sure that your team does not let you down, and you can only achieve this by being very careful during the recruitment and onboarding processes. The team will often serve as the backbone of your pitch, assuring the investors that their money is in capable hands. This will definitely put the odds of getting investors in your favor.
4. Have A Sustainable Idea
Your startup needs to provide a promise of sustainability over the long haul. Investors are looking to channel their money into ideas that will return their investment capital while making a significant profit in the process. You must research and make plans that can project the future of your business anywhere from six months to six years.
These projections will prove useful as they give a potential investor an idea of what they are getting themselves into. It also provides both you and your potential investors an estimate to work with as you decide on the terms of investments. These projections also allow you to create a clear picture of your startup, thus making it more desirable to investors.
5. Attractive Return on Investment
The main question in investors’ minds is how they can get their money back and then some in each venture they take. You have to remember that venture capitalists are in it to make money; as such, they’ll want to know how long they should wait to start ripping rewards. Venture capitalists put in a lot of money. Therefore, they will analyze the startup’s potential for making a return on investment.
As is often the case with any business, there is always an element of risk with a majority of startups. Hence, it should come as no surprise that the risk versus reward metric is a major point of reference for an investor. This means that certain investors may choose not to invest in your company because they feel that the risk is too high for them. Nonetheless, when presenting your projections for the business’s future, you must also find ways to prove its potential for profitability despite the risks to attract and reassure investors.
Statistics show that a significant number of startups fail due to not having enough capital or funds. With venture capitalists setting such high standards, the fight to be the best is on. If you feel like you have a good idea, then put in the work, do your research, get feedback from consumers, and create some meaningful traction. Business traction is a useful tool in your arsenal as it shows that your business does have a place in the market.
You should also not be afraid of rejection. The first potential investor may say no, but do not let that derail you from knocking on more doors because your investor is only one good pitch away.
By: Jay T. Ripton