What are the best ways to manage investor relations after a successful fundraising round?

Setting expectations after a round is like making a promise to your Nana. Always give investors a super-clear picture of what you'll achieve and when. If things ever look shaky? Be upfront about it. Keeps everyone on the same page and builds way more trust in the long run... Nana may even reward you with her generosity, again ??

-Clearly define your key performance indicators (KPIs) and growth milestones for the next period. Be specific. -Set realistic yet ambitious targets and timeframes that align with investor goals. -Specify how often you will report progress: monthly, quarterly, or annual updates. -Establish preferred communication channels upfront: email, phone, video calls. -Create a cadence and format for updates that works for both parties. -Agree on points of contact between both teams in case issues arise. -Foster positive rapport by welcoming investor feedback and input. -Manage expectations upfront to avoid misunderstandings down the line. -Overcommunicate to build trust, transparency and keep stakeholders aligned.

Many principals are a bit dismissive of investor relations. They see investors as sheep who just chase returns. They may well be right in many situations, but there is no single “investor” type. Being able to communicate your approach and reach the investors who “get it” is a form of value add. But how do you measure this. How do you know that your IR team has added value?

Investor relations are crucial to ensuring the continued growth of your company. Many investors don't just invest once in a business, the better you are at comms the more likely you are to receive continued investment. Utilise them as soundboards for strategy advice, get them to make key introductions and help you with exit strategy. It's essential to manage your time efficiently. You can do this by creating Hubspot lists for shareholders, so emails can be sent to everyone with the click of a button. Loom allows you to make videos and send to those who can't join quarterly earnings calls. Post informal updates on linkedin and use and shareholder whatsapp groups if you need to get things done fast e.g. getting investor majority consent.

1. Share the work plan and reports on the projects for which the funds were sought. 2. Accountability: Account for every penny used and share the audit report 3. Share the impact the funds made by showing the changes achieved through reports, video clips, and photos. 4. visibility. acknowledge the organisations or individuals that gave funds to give credit to them.

Be proactively accountable to your donors. Sending regular emails telling donors what the plan was, how you spent their money, how much you accomplished, and giving them a vision for what's next in the plan is an incredible incentive for them for understood you're stewarding their money well. If possible, include some individual stories, some global/macro perspective, and some accountable metrics. Most businesses and nonprofits raising money don't use KPIs so the ones that do really shine.

One thing i found helpful that we have to accountable to our investors. Planing, execution and and expected result all are based on some hypothesis. 1. We have to send them regular updates related to projects. 2. We have to transparent. If there are any changes in goal due to unavoidable circumstances inform the investors.

Share both successes and challenges openly, as transparency builds trust and can turn investors into allies who provide support and advice in tough times.

being transparent helps maintaining trust. i recommend my mentees to provide update with flag i.e. green (positives), amber (work in progress), red (where investor can help). while investor may not be located in the same city, regular information exchange in verbal and written mode helps maintain transparency. consider investors as part of the team and never hide any point from them as natural trust once broken can't be restored.

I always use the word leveraging is describing how to be transparent to people. Leveraging doesn't mean you lie but using data at your advantage in order to win your audience, but you should know that Leveraging is not for everyone.

make sure you respond to their query at the earliest. investor should feel that they are being valued and hence getting due attention. i recommend my mentees to respond to investors the same day. in a given scenario where founder needs to do some analysis before responding, it would be a good idea to send a response mentioning that we are working on your query and would revert in next 2 days time. please be minful while you commit the time as skipping the time commitment would give a wrong impression.

Quickly address investor queries or concerns, showing that you value their input and are committed to maintaining an open line of communication.

We (angels) value leaders who embrace responsibility. Money may come and go, and strategic pivots may be necessary, but it's the tough decisions that forge great entrepreneurs. This principle holds true not just in dealings with investors, but also in interactions with clients and within your team.

Investors often do not know well the area they are going to support, some are moved by the cause, others appreciate the returns in the financial statements. In other words, the motivation that starts the relationship is not necessarily the cause itself. And to keep an investor engaged with the new support, it is essential to provide the most diverse information so that they are satisfied with providing that support.

The third thing you need to do is to be responsive and respectful with your investors. This means answering their questions, addressing their concerns, and acknowledging their suggestions in a timely and courteous manner. Don't ignore or avoid their emails, calls, or messages, but don't let them distract you from your core business either. Find a healthy balance between being accessible and being focused. Responsiveness will help you maintain a positive and productive relationship with your investors, and also demonstrate your professionalism and accountability.

Create an update draft and send it to your investors each month. The plan can include: 1) What have you achieved; 2) What insights do you have; 3) What challenges do you have; 4) How can they help you. If you have supportive investors there is no way that you will not reach success.

Engage. Engage. Engage. The best way to be proactive in the relationship is to be proactive. Meet, connect and show progress and ultimately outcomes while you set course for the future.

Proactiveness is an important component of being good at IR. A monthly investor only or a closed loop newsletter is a good way to keep the circle updated of what's happening, and not only in the terms of KPI's achieved and visible progress made, but also on the aspects of strategic decisions, brainstorming that's happened, the future plans and organisational decisions that are crucial. Alongside, it is also necessary to get their buy in and opinions on the relevant facets which can be done through simple channels such as slack groups, which helps with a quicker turnaround rather than waiting for the monthly newsletter to go out.

The fourth thing you need to do is to be proactive and strategic with your investors. This means not only updating them on your past and present performance, but also involving them in your future plans and vision. Don't wait for them to ask you for information, feedback, or support, but reach out to them with relevant and timely updates, insights, and requests. Also, leverage their network, expertise, and experience to help you grow your business, solve your problems, and achieve your goals. Proactivity will help you maximize the value of your investors, and also show your initiative and ambition.

A "no-surprises" mantra is important - timely communication of bad news (and good news) can lead to great ideation opportunities, and you will gain the trust of your investors.

Acknowledge the role of investors in your success, whether through personalized messages or public acknowledgments, as feeling valued can encourage ongoing support and advocacy.

One thing I’ve found to be incredibly helpful are personalized, handwritten thank you notes with a surprise gift attached. If possible, delivering this appreciation package in person shows how much you care and how much their trust and support means to you. In addition, storytelling is an amazing way to make their contribution memorable. When dropping off your appreciation package, take a few minutes to tell them a “story”. They’ll love it - and remember it…

After a successful fundraising round, maintain transparent communication, provide regular updates on progress and milestones, demonstrate fiscal responsibility, listen to investor feedback, offer opportunities for engagement, and prioritize long-term relationships to foster trust and loyalty.

Remember to thank your investors for their contributions and express your appreciation for their commitment to helping you achieve your goals. Let them know how their generous investment will make a difference and assure them that you will keep them informed about progress and milestones. Make them feel like a valued member of your team.

As a part of proactive reporting through visual graphic and newsletters, make sure there is a shout out section. Find gratitude and ways to highlight contributions that help people feel they are as much a part of the team for their financial contributions as each employee in the company/program.

In other words, no surprises A negative or even a positive surprise will likely lead to an overreaction that can destabilize the business

Consistency is about “walk the talk!”. In other words, that BP which has conquered the investor’s confidence has to be executed after the fund raising process exactly like was promised. If a need for change emerges, be sure that the path adjustments are even more consistent and reliable than previous plan, otherwise the trust will disappear and so, entire relationship.

Maintain a regular schedule for communication and updates, as consistency in investor relations helps build a stable and trustworthy relationship.

Managing investor relations post-fundraising is pivotal for sustaining trust and momentum. Top key principles that I follow: 1. Keep them in the loop. Regular updates are key. 2. Be transparent about progress, good or bad. 3. Align their interests with the company's goals[ideally].

Credibility and accountability are factors/criteria that will encourage and sustain investors faith and confidence in the project. Furthermore, in ongoing global economic melt down and sustained inflationary trend, in many nations/countries of the world, demands that credibility and accountability will be suitable to navigate such challenges. Furthermore credibility and accountability will not only ensure diminished conflict of interest but strengthen Internal Control System of the Project as well as the entire organization. It is therefore important that credibility and accountability are taken into account at the drawing board in establishing or commencing any project or organization.

Avoid taking holidays right before, during, or immediately after a fundraising period. Just a friendly tip from an angel and VC scout. :)

Organize occasional face-to-face meetings or events for investors, as personal interactions can strengthen relationships and provide a platform for more in-depth discussions and feedback.

Yes Dr. Onoja sir, Credibility and Accountability driven with Sincerity will strengthen demand creation of investors which will stabilise the Trust. Jimoh Dare -Analyst