SGC Angels

  Raising money for startup companies might seem like the biggest obstacle, but it's also one of the most thrilling achievements on your path to becoming an entrepreneur. Investors don't invest in ideas; they invest in people, preparation, and potential. And that's why being thoroughly prepared before sitting down with an investor can be the difference between getting that che que in your hand or leaving with an empty one.   Let's break it down everything you need to know to show up like the pro you are.   Understand Your Business Model Thoroughly   First things first: you've got to be familiar with your business like the back of your hand. Being passionate isn't enough — you've got to be practical as well. Investors are going to question you ruthlessly about how you're going to make money, what your margins are like, who your competition is, and what your projections are in the future. If you can't concisely describe how your business will ...

  For each successful startup that makes headlines for raising millions, there are thousands more that can barely get a single investor meeting. The truth is that investment capital for startups is one of the hardest obstacles entrepreneurs encounter , regardless of how great their idea or how fervent their team . Fundraising is not about the money— it's about trust, strategy, timing, and aligning with the right folks.   The Complex Nature of Early-Stage Investment   Startups, by definition, are in situations of uncertainty. They are either pre-revenue or newly minted as far as generating sales goes, and their models are potentially untested. Investors know this and, while there are plenty who would love to find the next giant, they are also risk averse . The potential for failure is great, and for each unicorn there are several hundred startups that do not survive more than their initial year. Therefore, venture capitalists and angel investors are extremely picky . ...