4 Tips From CEOs On Raising Venture Capital

4 TIPS FROM CEOSON RAISING

VENTURE CAPITAL

C O F O U N D E R ,   Z E L K O V A   V E N T U R E S@ L B S 5 1

Raising money is tough.

Raising money is tough.Startup CEOs across industries must tackle the fundraisingprocess. The question is...

Raising money is tough.Startup CEOs across industries must tackle the fundraisingprocess. The question is...

What advice can the CEOswho succeeded give us?

What advice can the CEOswho succeeded give us?

Focus on the idea.

Craft a simple pitch.

Invest in your team.

Use your relationships.

Focus on the idea.

Focus on the idea.It’s the idea that matters. Now focus on turning itinto a solid product or service.

Focus on the idea.It’s the idea that matters. Now focus on turning itinto a solid product or service.

There’s nothing more valuable than a unique,innovative idea that can create a company ortransform an industry. Even if you manage toraise money, you’ll need to keep your eyes on theground floor of your company and avoid gettingcaught up in the numbers. The quality of youridea will surely translate into a quality product orservice, but don’t lose sight of why you came upwith the idea to begin with.

Craft a simple pitch.

Craft a simple pitch.Clearly express the purpose of your company topotential investors.

Craft a simple pitch.Clearly express the purpose of your company topotential investors.

Figure out how to teach someone about yourproduct within a few minutes or less so that he orshe sees its value and purpose at the most basiclevel. You’ll want to get to the point, making surealong the way you and your potential investorarrive at the same destination.

Invest in your team.

Invest in your team.The team around you counts and makes adifference during the fundraising process

Invest in your team.The team around you counts and makes adifference during the fundraising process

You’ll need a skilled team prepared to help youtackle potential investor meetings and initiallegwork. Building a reliable team takes energyand focus, but the effort will be worth it. Investingin a talented team is key and will only makeraising capital more manageable and lessdaunting.

Use your relationships.

Use your relationships.Remember the value of current and newrelationships.

Use your relationships.Remember the value of current and newrelationships.

Take a moment to think about who is in yournetwork. Strong relationships lead to moreopportunities to pitch your product and securefunding. Consider acquiring a mentor in yourindustry as another avenue to expand yournetwork. People you know and who, in turn, knowyour business will be your greatest allies. Even ifit takes them a few years to hand over the capital.

Learn more Venture Capitalism news and updates at larryscheinfeld.net.