You're struggling to secure funding for your startup. How can you find the best strategies to make it happen?

Early stage founders raise capital with technology merits, but follow-on rounds are based on business merits. Make the link from your CRM to revenurs. Coverage should be 5x. If you are pre-revenue, then start with customer problem / your value proposition / customer ROI vs. annual spend. In my mind tech businesses are in the customer ROI business, despite often not communicating that. They should.

The first question is whether you are investment ready. Simply put, you must answer 2 simple questions: - Can you build stuff? - Can you sell stuff? If you can't show either of those things, then you're not investment ready. But assuming you check those boxes, now ask yourself: - Are you solving a clear problem? - Can you define its pain points and who them? - Can you explain your idea maze? - Do you have evidence people will buy what you're selling? - Are you the right team to do the job (e.g. founder-market fit)? - Have you unlocked any levers (i.e. put $1 in, get $2 out)? - Do you know how much you need, what you'll spend it on, and what outcomes are expected? Key point: look inward to know you are investible before looking outward.

Develop a strong founder brand. A strong brand will help you attract the right investors and negotiate terms from a position of equal-power.

Knowing your value is overrated if you don’t understand your investor’s value. It's essential to know your startup's value, but equally crucial is understanding what your investors value. Are they driven by potential profits, market impact, or innovation? This dual focus can help you tailor your pitch to meet their expectations. As Warren Buffett said, "Price is what you pay; value is what you get." Investors will invest in what aligns with their perception of value, not just your pitch. To secure funding, align your startup's value with your investor's priorities.

You should be asking for funds for scaling not for starting , get a few customers and validate your idea and ensure to demo the product along with pitch . Find the platforms where you could showcase , sort out the investors you like and cold call / cold email them .

Beyond traditional sources like venture capital and angel investors, consider alternative avenues such as crowdfunding, government grants, and strategic partnerships. By casting a wide net and carefully evaluating each option, you increase your chances of finding the most suitable funding solution to fuel your business growth.

Explore Options: - Beyond traditional bank loans or venture capital, consider alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding platforms, angel investors, or government grants tailored to startups. - Each funding source has different advantages, like increased visibility from crowdfunding or strategic guidance from angel investors, so choose the one that aligns best with your startup’s needs and goals.

Exploring alternative funding options has been a game changer for me. When traditional routes seemed limited, I found that avenues like angel investors and government grants offered not just capital but also strategic support. For example, crowdfunding isn’t just about raising money—it’s also a powerful way to validate your idea and gain early traction. The key is to start by researching which option aligns with your business stage and industry. Build relationships with angel investors or local grant organizations, and if you go the crowdfunding route, focus on telling a compelling story to attract backers. Diversifying your funding sources can unlock new possibilities while also fueling growth.

Finanzierung eines Start-Ups? Interessant, dass dabei kaum jemand an Kunden denkt. Dabei werden 99% aller Unternehmen ohne VC/Business-Angel gegründet. Also: schaff eine Leistung für deine Kunden, verdiene Geld! Der Sohn eines erfolgreichen Unternehmers wollte auch gründen und ging zu seinem Vater mit der Bitte um Geld für Büro, Mitarbeiter usw. Der lehnte ab und erwiderte: Du bekommst Geld, wenn du die ersten 10 Kunden gebracht hast. Nur so entsteht das richtige Mindset ??????

Building strong relationships with potential investors, industry experts, and entrepreneurs can open doors to new opportunities and provide invaluable insights. By actively attending industry events, conferences, and online networking platforms, you can expand your reach, generate interest, and increase your chances of securing the necessary funding to propel your startup forward.

Network Relentlessly: - Actively participate in industry events, entrepreneurship forums, and relevant online platforms to connect with potential investors and mentors. - Networking isn't just about meeting investors; it also involves building relationships that may lead to referrals or partnerships that could support your funding efforts.

Networking is crucial for securing startup funding, as personal connections often influence investors just as much as the business idea itself. Attend industry events, join entrepreneurship groups, and actively engage with potential investors on social media to build meaningful relationships. To enhance your networking efforts, consider hosting informal meetups or pitch practice sessions for fellow entrepreneurs; this not only fosters community but can lead to valuable introductions and insights that strengthen your funding prospects.

I agree that it is important to "network" as any relationship with investors is a long term relationship. It is good if potential investors know you well, just like it is good to know your potential investors well. Trust is everthing, and it grows only over time.

Refine your pitch to clearly highlight your startup's unique value, market potential, and financial projections. Tailor it to your audience, practice delivering it confidently, and seek feedback to improve.

A pitch isn't just about presenting your business—it's about telling a story that sticks. I’ve learned that the key to nailing it lies in simplicity and emotion. Investors don't just want numbers; they want to feel the problem you're solving and the impact your solution will have. Think of it as connecting on a human level, not just delivering data. When you can make your story relatable and your solution clear, the confidence in your pitch follows naturally. After all, the best pitches aren’t about selling—they’re about inspiring belief.

Pitching in the meantime is an industry. I understand that investors are interested in well-structured information, and one way to deliver that information can be pitch. I nevertheless think that founders shall not concentrate too much on "the best powerpoint". More important in my view is to identify the best way to get the messages accross, and to enter into a meaningful conversion with investors on the problem that founders are addressing and the product they are building or offering. Showing the product and explaining why you build it that way can sometimes be even more effective than a "perfect pitchdeck".

Clearly articulating your business model, value proposition, market opportunity, and financial projections is crucial to capturing investors' attention. By practising your pitch, tailoring it to different audiences, and incorporating compelling storytelling, you can increase your chances of securing the necessary funding to bring your vision to life.

Perfect Your Pitch: - Develop a compelling pitch that effectively tells the story of your startup, focusing on the problem you solve, your solution, market potential, and the team behind your company. - Practice your pitch repeatedly to ensure clarity and confidence, and be prepared to answer tough questions from investors succinctly and thoughtfully.

Leverage Advisors: - Seek mentorship and advice from experienced entrepreneurs or industry advisors who can offer practical insights and possibly introduce you to funding sources. - Advisors can also help refine your business model and strategies, enhancing your attractiveness to potential investors.

Seeking advice from seasoned entrepreneurs isn’t just about avoiding mistakes, it’s about accelerating your growth because these mentors have walked the path, faced the same hurdles, and can offer clarity where you might see uncertainty. Their insights aren’t shortcuts but rather powerful tools to help you refine your strategy and approach investor meetings with confidence. Sometimes, a single piece of advice from someone who’s been there can completely shift your perspective—and that shift can be the difference between getting funded or missing the mark.

Easier said that done, but still true: Resilience is key. If you stress out about securing funding, you will settle for terrible terms. So start securing funding before you are under dire time pressure.

Stay Resilient: - Fundraising can be a challenging process with many rejections. It’s important to stay resilient, use the feedback constructively, and continue refining your approach. - Persistence and flexibility in adapting your strategies based on feedback can eventually lead you to successful funding.

Resilience is less about enduring rejection and more about learning from it. Simply bouncing back from a "no" isn't enough; resilience should involve a process of continuous learning and adaptation. As Thomas Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Each rejection is a chance to refine your strategy and get closer to the yes that matters. Use every setback as a stepping stone to more informed and strategic pitches.

Securing funding is a marathon, not a sprint; each rejection is a stepping stone toward your ultimate goal. Embrace feedback from investors to sharpen your pitch and business plan, as every "no" is a lesson in disguise. Stay positive and committed to your vision—your resilience will not only attract funding but also equip you for the challenges ahead in your entrepreneurial journey.