Before bringing on investors, you need to review your execution plan. This includes:
- business strategic plan;
- business structure – does it facilitate investment?
- project activity – milestones, budget and deliverables;
- financial model – sales cycles and pipeline, sustainable margins and positive cash flow;
- intellectual property rights – what are they and how are they or will they be protected? and
- risk analysis, such as mitigation strategies.
There’s 10 elements all investors want:
- People – passion, commitment, experience, synergy.
- Value proposition – solves a problem.
- Intellectual assets – protectable, compelling, differentiated skill sets.
- Market and customers – competitive awareness, who, where, size, entry barriers.
- Structure for investment – company shares, share classes and voting rights, units in unit trust, future dissolution of ownership, convertible or SAFE notes.
- Growth – rapid versus staged growth, clear strategy, global vision.
- Financial model – sales cycle and pipeline, sustainable margins, positive cash flow path, early-stage investment eligibility.
- Strategic fit – fits with investor’s business.
- Exit for financial investors – value creation, clear path for ROI, when, how.
- Data – verifiable and independent evidence, technical support.
Katrina Brennan, Principal, SRJ Walker Wayland Business Growth Advisors, Accountants and Auditors, 1 Allen Street, Moffat Beach, 5301 9957, srjww.com.au
This column is part of our Business 2 Business (B2B) series featuring industry leaders sharing their expertise. For more great articles, SUBSCRIBE to our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily. All you need to do is enter your name and email below.