Here's how you can secure funding for your business venture as an entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur most important thing is to first know if your venture really needs funding? Re-assess your business plan and take help from experts to validate further & get to definitive answer. If you don't need funding, don't chase it, rather use that time& energy in growing your business. But if the answer is that you need funding, your business plan would have already given answer of how much funding. Now again, use your network to perfect the pitch, join forums, groups to get to your right investor audience who would be keen to know about your business idea. This is just the beginning, as you meet more prospects you will keep becoming better to find your right investor eventually. Like finding the right partner effectively :)

You can also do some research in your area of business as well, employing the use of some Business analytics tools can show you how effective or how much value that business and funding can be beneficial to you. Read the current market trends, know what innovation that’s needed to improve that market and can improve sustainability. This also can help in understanding and communicating to your potential investors as to why and how you can make the funding work.

Do not secure funding before you really need to do so and I see many times entrepreneurs make the same mistake of taking investment too early. When you let somebody invest into your business, you actually OWE them money. The moment they make an investment, they actually let go money hoping for a return in the future (with very high chance that it will never come. Think about the very small rate of success for business venture. That is why it is called "venture). The funding is expected to pay for marketing or operational expenses. Maybe you could be more creative to perform 0-cost marketing campaigns or save money in some redundant expenses.

Before seeking funding or diving into operations, it’s vital to have a clear picture of what your business requires to succeed. This means thoroughly assessing startup costs, knowing operational expenses, and forecasting revenue. By identifying these needs early, you set realistic financial goals and create a roadmap for future decisions. This clarity not only prepares you for challenges but also positions you to attract investors who see your business’s potential. Remember, knowing your needs isn’t just about numbers—it’s about laying a strong foundation for future success

Most of the times, you need new funding to invest in marketing to grow your business. There are many 0-cost marketing techniques to consider. Especially, great partnerships would help your business and your partners to leverage each others' assets and expertise to save marketing expenses. We actually have many more funding options than we do know. The most hidden options are through time, effort and partnerships.

This is an opportunity to sell what you have.... Questions like the problem you intend to solve can help you drive the attention of investors. Very important, Investors want to see fact and figures, Ensure your Proposed Financial Cost covers 2-3 years Most investors are interested in knowing how you intend to spend those funds....you show them by figures

The use of social media for networking is sometimes underrated. Making sure you follow people in your line of interest. Watching every step of progress their company has made or they have as an individual, reaching out to applaud and also ask some questions also establish connections. Also try to showcase your work more often, most people don’t realize a lot of people are watching in the background. Be consistent with your work and your marketing. Someone somewhere will always vouch for you and also offer to put you through. Attend events no matter how much you think it’s not relevant in your field, also don’t forget to be presentable.

You want your business venture to be funded. Then, if you were the investor, your first and most important question (MIQ) that need "the entrepreneur" to answer is "when do I get my money back and with what rate of return?" Be realistic! Everybody needs to see the financial result of their investment. To answer this MIQ, every other financial information needs to be up-to-date and controlled with high certainty. Your job, as an entrepreneur, is to improve the lives of your stakeholders, obviously including your investors.