Preparing Your Investor Pool: Who to Pitch and When

How to build a targeted investor pool and attract the right funding

Preparing Your Investor Pool: Who to Pitch and When

As an early-stage visionary, you know that money is not just funding; it is a validation of your idea brilliance by intelligent people. But how do you know who to approach and when? Your main goal is to successfully attract the next round of investment (Seed+ / Series A). To achieve this, you need to not just pitch your project to everyone, but to build a targeted "investor pool."

Here is how to do it.

1. When to Pitch Your Project: Choosing the Right Time

You are driven by the fear of missing out. You think: "What if while I am thinking about this, someone else is doing the exact same thing, but faster?". That is why you want to build a quality MVP quickly and within budget. Do not rush to show your project to investors until you have traction. Investors do not buy naked ideas. They look at the numbers and how you are solving a real problem, not at beautiful presentations.

MVP Stage:

Only show your project to your closest business angels or acquaintances. At this stage, you are not yet ready for a large pool.

Traction Stage:

This is your shining moment. You have a working product and your first customers. You can show investors that your product is in demand.

2. Who to Pitch: Forming Your Pool

You are looking for a partner who believes in your idea. Investors are partners, but on a different level. They are looking for projects they can invest in that will bring them a return. You need to form a pool that consists of different groups.

  • Business Angels and Early-Stage Venture Funds: These are your primary targets. They often recommend proven teams to their portfolio companies.
  • Network Contacts: Recommendations from fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and lawyers. A personal recommendation is the strongest signal for them.

3. What to Show: Packaging Your Project

You are afraid of looking incompetent in front of investors. Therefore, it is important to "package" your project into a compelling presentation. Your pitch should consist of the following elements:

  • Product: Show a working prototype that you would not be ashamed to show to your first customers and investors.
  • Traction: Present measurable results from your "pilot."
  • Team: Talk about yourself and your team. Show why you are the right people to bring your vision to life.
  • Strategy: Explain how you plan to use the investment and how you will scale the business.

4. Conclusion

You want to leave a legacy and create something meaningful. Preparing your investor pool is not just about finding money; it is a strategic step that will help you achieve that goal.

Would you like to continue building out your content strategy for attracting investors? We can help you with creating a detailed pitch deck or a guide on how to talk to venture capitalists.

Preparing Your Investor Pool: Who to Pitch and When | Terekhin Digital Crew