Raising money is a daunting task for any organization or individual who has a project or cause to champion. With the popularity of crowdfunding, many are turning to platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo and GoFundMe to find donor support. However, when it comes to looking for investors, there are now a few more options to consider.
As with any kind of fundraising, it pays to do your research and identify potential sources that might be interested in your venture. Certain organizations may already have existing investments in place or an established network of contacts that can be tapped into. The US Small Business Administration has resources that can help with discovering possible financing partners as well as ways to craft a business plan that is more attractive to potential investors.
For those interested in finding individuals with money available to spend on startups and other new projects, there are a number of websites dedicated exclusively to connecting entrepreneurs with investors. Some of these include AngelList, Funders Club and EquityNet. The latter two are angel investor networks made up of wealthy individuals who specialize in early stage start-ups.These sites allow inventors and founders to register their business plan and make it available to those browsing for investing opportunities.
For those with the time and resources, attending open forums or conferences specifically targetted at private equity investors can prove highly effective when done correctly. When pitching your idea, ensure that you come prepared with good reason as to why your project is worth investing in, which will inspire confidence in potential investors and increase the chance of them putting money into your project. Finally, you should establish personal relationships with potential investors by building a circle of contacts; this will give you an inside track on where new opportunities are arising.
In conclusion, the key to successfully finding investors is research; compiling the right data on your prospective backers will help ensure that they see value in what you’re offering and make them more likely to consider funding your venture. It may take a lot of time, effort and resources but finding the right investor could make all the difference for turning dreams into reality for projects today and in the future.
If you are organizing a fundraiser for your organization this coming year, one of the most important parts of planning is finding the right investors. Whether you’re starting a new project or continuing an existing one, the right investors can make or break your fundraising prospects in 2015. So where should you look to find those investors who can turn your project and money-raising dreams into reality?
One of the most popular options is to look online. Many organizations have been able to connect with potential investors through social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You should also consider looking through sites like AngelList and Crowdfunder to see if there are any potential matches available. These are powerful online platforms that allow you to search for investors who may be looking for projects similar to yours and reach out accordingly.
Word-of-mouth is another great way to find investors in 2015. Networking with individuals you know and trust is an ideal way to reach out to those who might be interested in investing in your cause or project. It also allows you to build credibility and rapport on a more personal level than can be accomplished through an online connection alone.
Looking for investors doesn’t need to be a difficult process in 2015. With the abundance of resources now available, from personal networking opportunities to social media connections, locating the right investor shouldn’t take long so long as you dedicate enough time and effort into researching and reaching out. Good luck this fundraising season!