LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for information about this, and so are other social networks, and it’s a great starting point.
Don’t be concerned about investors becoming unhappy that you’ve profiled them. After the fact, investors wouldn’t even be publically available for a reason if they didn’t want you (a potential investor) knowing the more details they have about themselves.
Here’s a small sample of what investors would like to observe in entrepreneurs:
Experience at one or more startup companies:
Although investing in a young tech genius isn’t necessarily unwise, the fact that he’s capable of driving and sourcing an experienced, older manager to be part of his group tells much about him and his vision. Being an investor, it is essential to not want your investors to be learning by doing it the hard way. Money, and there’s no substitute for experience in the entrepreneurial field. Even if you’ve been unsuccessful in the past, you must prove to investors the lessons you’ve learned and how they have influenced the decisions you could have made as a “fresher”.
Big dreamers:
It is a challenge to prove; however, at the same time, it’s easy to demonstrate. Investors like ambition, and for you to succeed, you need to think about the possibilities your company or idea has to build and envision how you will make a difference in the world. Make something that people will love you for, and make everyone happy to be a part of it. This might sound corny; however, it’s essential. It lets investors know that you’re willing to go beyond the call of duty and exert more effort to make your idea successful. It also proves that your plan could lead to an industry worth $100 million or more. Business.
A solid foundation
It is crucial to be authentic. Integrity, determination, trust and hard work are essential. If you can convey this through your pitch, you’ve won half of the battle of being likeable. You must be able to motivate your team members, push the team to greater heights, and then take away the pain.
Storytelling:
There is no need to embellish or lie; however, you must present yourself as someone who is enthusiastic and motivated. It’s not enough just to make a statement about a need; you must tell an engaging story about the need and also a tale that explains the solution(s). This is what creates trust among partners, employees and suppliers.
Customers:
Don’t put too much emphasis on the numbers for revenue in the end; they’re simply projections. Like everything else, they could be a disaster. By keeping your eye on the customer, you’re creating a vision for your business and the idea. Here are a few of the questions investors frequently ask, and you must attempt to answer:
What motivates your customers to purchase this item or service?
What are the problems your product address? What makes it superior to other products?
What is the reason it’s worth the price established?
Do your customers ask whether they are interested in becoming investors in your business?
Your team
Your team is always an essential component of your business, and you, as a business owner, are equally crucial. Here’s what investors want to see in your team and you:
Passion: The entrepreneur must be able to convey or create a buzz about their company’s vision.
– Tenacity: The road of an entrepreneur is filled with failures long before it can be a success. You must prove your endurance and perseverance to pursue your vision even when all you have in your account is less than AED100.
Flexibility: Changes in market conditions make it necessary to adjust. However, you must plan contingencies well prior to the market conditions that occur. There is no need to be pushed, but you must be prepared to review and revise your strategies in the event that circumstances don’t go in the way you had hoped.
– Commitment: The businessperson must be able to show money on the line’. You should be willing to put the necessary amount of personal funds into the venture to convince investors that you’re serious.
Teamwork: Your whole team needs to work with each other, and the team should be involved in the long term. This shouldn’t be a step towards a greater chance.
Learning The team, you are with should be learning and eager to study. Every team is not aware of everything they require to succeed. They should learn from the experiences of other entrepreneurs and become an avid learner.
The business model
The final step of interacting with an investor, assuming you’ve failed to recover from all the previous points. Are your numbers mapped out? That is, once you have sat down with the financial experts of the investor, and they pick up a pencil and sketch every dollar against the expenses to make the dollar, will you be able to:
* A profitable model?
* A repeatable model?
* A scalable model?
* A defensible model?
The reason why many entrepreneurs fail is that they do not conduct this process in a realistic manner. You must be able to address these issues in a coherent manner and be well-prepared prior to presenting your idea to investors.
How can you determine if your business meets? If you’re open and discovered areas that weren’t working, get the right person to address the issues before you ask anyone who is willing to invest in you. Also, don’t think it’s all that you need to be focusing on. It’s essential, but every business owner is unique, and so is each startup.