Running a technology startup business means you’re at the forefront of innovation. You’ve spent time learning about tech, researching, and building an idea you know is ready to take the world by storm.
But how do you get funding, and how can you convince lenders to believe in your idea as much as you do?
A silver bullet or the one-size-fits-all strategy doesn’t exist – there’s only so much you can do. Even if you’re an expert in your field, you still have to convince people to part with their money.
There are some key areas and ideas that are present in all the best fundraising pitches. This guide will look at everything you need to know about fundraising as a tech startup.
Create a plan anyone can understand
Never underestimate the power of a well-constructed, costed, and watertight business plan. If you don’t have one, you must put one together before you even entertain talking to investors.
Your plan should:
- clearly articulate the problem your startup is solving, the target market, and your revenue model.
- give clear guidance on how much you’re looking to receive in investment.
- highlight your personality, brand identity, and overall vision in a way anyone can understand.
- include cash flow projections, so it’s clear where you think you’ll be in the future. The better you can back your ideas up with data, the more convincing you’ll be.
Highlight your market knowledge
Investors want to know that the market opportunity for your product or service is significant and growing.
You should demonstrate a real need for your product and that your startup is well-positioned to take advantage of this opportunity.
You probably wouldn’t have started your business without this, so it’s about refining the way you present your idea so that it could be understood by anyone.
Know your finances
Financial projections (as mentioned above) are vital to persuading an investor to believe in your business.
You should include, among other figures:
- revenue projections
- burn rate
- clear costing
There is always more data you can find, but picking the right information is critical here.
Don’t bloat your reports with too many tables or graphs – keep it concise and relevant to your business and what the investor will want to know.
Know your competitors
Understanding who you’re coming up against is vital to being successful as a business. Providing you have a niche in the market or you do something better than others, you’ll already be in a strong position.
But without competitor analysis, you won’t know for sure.
Work to find a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and define a clear strategy for differentiating yourself from other players in the market.
If your potential investor can see you’re better than the rest, they’re much more likely to give you the investment you need.
Focus on your team
Do you have a team of experts who possess skills no one else in the business world can match? Or is your team just great to be around, with an excellent approach to customer service?
People buy from people. If your team is talented and has a demonstrated record of success, they’ll make your startup an attractive proposition for a possible investor.
Demonstrate traction
Your investors will want to know you’re the best tech company for their money. Have you already got some customers? Are your users using your product and enjoying it? Can you demonstrate this? Or have you got a solid link to another business?
All of these things will show you’re not just out on your own – they’ll highlight you can already do the work.
If you can provide hard evidence for this via statistics or user feedback, even better.
Nail the pitch
Now is the time to present your plan, vision, and financial proposal and win over your investors.
You need to articulate what you want and tell a compelling story about your startup clearly and effectively. Your pitch should be engaging and leave a lasting impression on the room you’re talking to.
But as we said at the beginning of this blog, there’s no silver bullet. Remember that raising funds is a long-term process and can take several months or even years.
You should be prepared for a lot of hard work and be willing to revise your approach as you learn from your interactions with potential investors.
Never burn your bridges, make sure to follow up, and stay positive. Persistence always pays in the end.
Speak to us about your tech business – we can help you create a plan to win over investors and get the funding you need.