Unless you’re Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, chances are you won’t be able to fund the initial capital for your business with your own pocket money. Even if you have a trust fund and don’t mind dipping into it to invest in your company, there are many other more reliable ways of accessing capital for your business than self-funding. Investment capital is one of the most common ways for businesses to get the funding they need to launch and grow. However, raising capital from existing sources can be challenging. Here’s how you can use your investment banking to raise capital for your business.
A. Network with investment bankers and VCs
One of the best ways to get your business the capital it needs is to network with other investment bankers and venture capitalists (VCs). Once you’re in touch with these people, you can let them know that you’re interested in getting your business funded. In some cases, you may even be able to find people who are willing to fund your business in exchange for an equity stake. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for investment banking conferences in your area. Attending these can be a great way to network face-to-face with potential investors and partners who can get you the money you need to grow your business.
B. Find the right investor(s) for your business
When you’ve found a source of investment capital, it’s time to start thinking about who might be the right fit for your company. The first thing to do is to create a pitch deck that contains all the relevant information about your company and the type of funding you’re looking to receive. This deck should include information such as your company’s mission statement, your business’s current financial state, and how you plan to use the money to grow your company. You should also think about what type of investor you’re looking for. For example, if you’re seeking angel investment, you’ll want to find someone open to investing at a very early stage of the company’s life cycle.
C. Determine how much you’re looking to raise
When you’ve compiled a list of potential investors to pitch to, it’s time to figure out how much capital you’re looking to raise. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to ask for the whole amount up front — you can offer a loan or debt financing if you don’t have enough capital on hand to give the money in one lump sum.
Wrapping up
The key to successfully raising capital for your business is to keep your pitch short and sweet. Investors don’t have the time or the patience to listen to a long-winded, rambling pitch that never gets to the point. Let your potential investors know what your company does, where you are in the business life cycle, how much you’re looking to raise, and what you plan to do with the cash. If you can shortly convey all of this information, you’re on the right track.