6 things your startup can do to attract investors

A business starts with an idea. With so many companies in the market today, that idea needs to be new, fresh, and something that answers a specific need of your target audience. Once you have a solid business concept, you can take another step forward and look for people who will help you realize that idea through financial resources. Starting a business requires spending a significant amount of money, and if you don’t have enough funds, you’ll need the help of investors.

Many investors are willing to finance a startup but bear in mind that there are hundreds of business owners out there who also need funding. How can you pique the interest of investors for your business? Here are several things to consider when trying to court investors to invest in your business:

• Create a solid business plan. As they always say, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” As with any other major endeavor, a business will not take off without a solid plan. It’s a document that explains your goals and the strategies you plan to do in order to reach them. No investor will spend time and money in a business that does not guarantee a return on their investment. That’s why it’s crucial to have a business plan that’s detailed enough to convince investors that you have the right strategies in place to keep the business afloat and become successful. Do your research on the market and your target audience. Know your competitors and find out how you can make your business stand out. Your business plan should also include details about pricing as well as your marketing approaches.

• Show investors that your business has growth potential. Investors are on the lookout for startups that can grow in the long run so they can make the most of their investment. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make investors realize that your startup has enough growth opportunities. How? Show them your business stability and that it has a solid customer base through growth figures. Always monitor the growth by analyzing profits and losses. Utilize your strengths and pay attention to areas that need improvement. Come up with strategies to get a bigger share of the market and keep the business growing.

• Demonstrate how your business is different from the competition. You may not be the only one who came up with that business idea. A lot of other businesses similar to yours may already be out there, so what makes you unique? If your offerings are just like the others, it’ll be challenging to maintain a revenue stream and attract new customers. Investors are looking for startups that are distinctive. The key is to do tons of research. Know and understand the market. Know the latest tools used in marketing and sales. Offer something that similar businesses don’t have. Offer something unique, whether it be on your customer service or rewards for loyal customers.

• Have a winning team. Everyone who plays a role in the business is essential. For investors, they want to see a team that knows and understands what it takes to succeed. Make sure that your team is hardworking, professional, and collaborative. Instill in your staff that no matter what their roles are, they are crucial to the success of the business.

• Be a confident leader. You may have a solid business plan and a dream team, but investors will not take an interest in your startup if you cannot convince them why they should put funds in your business. It takes a confident and persuasive leader to show investors that your business has the potential to grow and have bigger returns on investment. Make sure that you can run a tight ship where everyone knows what’s expected of them. Before presenting your idea to investors, make sure to practice your speech multiple times and be prepared to answer their questions.  

• Carry insurance. Purchasing insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to starting a business, but it shows investors that your startup can keep the operations going in case something unfortunate happens. It makes your business look reliable, trustworthy, and responsible enough to take care of the employees, property, and customers.

There are different types of coverage that a startup needs to consider, and it varies based on what you’re offering, where your business is based, etc. Here are some types of business insurance that you need:

• General Liability Insurance – This covers your business against financial losses related to claims of personal injury or damage to property.

• Commercial Property Insurance – As the name suggests, it protects your business in case of damage to or loss of property. It protects your physical assets like computers and your workspace; it doesn’t matter if you work from home or lease a space, it works for every business.

• Worker’s compensation insurance – This protects your employees in case they sustain injuries while doing their work. It also handles the lost salaries if an employee cannot go back to work because of an illness or injury sustained at work.

• Professional Liability Insurance – This is great for businesses that officer advice to their clients, this policy specifically covers a business from being liable should an error or omission occur leading to financial losses for customers.

Getting your startup off the ground can be a daunting task, so having the steady support of investors is essential. Following these simple tips can help make your startup into a successful venture.