How capital raising for startups works

First things to do

Capital raising for startups is a complex task that takes on average 6 to 9 months. to get invited to a first meeting depends on good preparation. Addressing the right potential investors with a self-explanatory and very condensed summary is key to get successfully through the first check-up. Attractive and productive investors are overwhelmed by about 200 unsolicited investment proposals sent over per week. You need to stand out, address potential targets with a very personal message, best via warm contacting.

Well prepared into discussions and negotiations

When you manage to get through first meetings, preparation for the upcoming meetings and negotiations is key, whether it covers reasonable projections, well though-through drivers of your business case, having good benchmarking material and an easily-understandable and believable explanation of your serviceable addressable market and unique selling proposition. You know how much of your startup you are prepared to give as a share to an investor, how you will invest the capital raised and for how long it will last in a worst case scenario. To be able to discuss your valuation, you have done your research and valuation exercises yourself.

For investors, negotiations are daily business

To be able to negotiate term sheets, again, preparation for each and every meeting is key. It covers any off-the-table tactics (whom to talk to, process set-up, etc.) as well as defining your interests and your best alternatives. Starting from your first assessment of the investor’s interests you develop options to suggest during discussions.

Final tasks

If you have come that far, you do not want to disappoint during due diligence when investors have a thorough look at your data, documentation, legal set-up and technology.

Considering the critical elements of a 6-9 months process will make you succeed with the suitable profile of investors.