You have a goal and a vision for your company. You just need a partner to help make it happen. If this partner is a capital firm, there are a few tips and tricks to help make the case for why you and your business can turn start-up capital into more capital. Check it out and start crafting the right pitch to make it happen.
To thine own business be true.
Sometimes it can be challenging to provide an objective plan or valuation on your company. You’ve seen it grow and evolve from the beginning—it becomes part of you. But look at your business from an outsider’s view, and then complete due diligence when it comes to market research, evaluating capabilities, assessing demand, and providing a valuation on your business. This will help your business seem more tangible to the investor or firm, and thus, a more viable investment.
Professionally, yet passionately, explain your plan.
While you do need to look at it from the investor’s point of view, infusing your pitch with passion is a surefire way to be remembered. Just make sure to avoid major delusions of grandeur, and provide hard data, realistic timelines, and a clear vision.
Keep in mind that your personality and passion is what they’ll remember. Investors and capital firms want to back individuals who are “all in”. Explain the inception of your business, how it’s meeting an important need in the market, and why you’re the right person at the helm.
Be confident.
This one might seem simple, but it goes a long way. Create materials you can be proud of and practice your pitch again and again. Ask colleagues, friends, or family members for honest (and even brutal) critiques of all written and verbal materials. Without using a script, enter the meeting knowing your stuff and being confident in the potential of your business. Confidence is obvious and is recognized and appreciated by investors and capital firms.
Obtaining capital is a necessary step for almost all businesses. Entrepreneurs who accurately, passionately, and confidently present their plan and vision for their business have a good chance of not only obtaining capital, but also making the most of it.
