August 6, 2020

Many founders need to understand why to raise funds. Is there a real need to raise money, and what are the benefits or growth plans? Raising funds involves strategic business planning, which includes key decisions shared with investors, requiring a mental and futuristic mind map. Contrarily, raising capital has provided a boost to many entrepreneurs and created opportunities for new generations of founders. Before considering the benefits, one needs to determine if their business is fundable and have high-level short-term and long-term projections to determine the amount of capital needed to execute the business idea. Fund requirements vary based on the categorization of traditional businesses, where the owner enjoys complete ownership with steady growth and healthy cash flow, or scalable startups, which require significant capital for exponential growth. If your business is scalable and looking to raise capital, it’s crucial to understand the logistics of challenges that arise after raising money from capitalists, such as reporting numbers on a monthly, quarterly, or reliable cadence. The owner should be considerate of the number of fundraising rounds, as it dilutes ownership over the business. However, with strategic planning, decreased ownership does not necessarily mean a destruction of value. In absolute terms, one may still be richer. 5 Reasons to Consider Raising Capital Reliable Exponential Growth: Upfront cash can fund operational costs and build the right skill-based talented team. It allows for scaling up production, marketing, and distribution efforts to meet market demand. Enhanced Brand Value: Potential venture capitalists reflect your brand or product value to the right target audience. Association with reputable investors can improve credibility and attract further investments. Expanded Network: Investor relationships can channel strategic inputs for a quarterly roadmap towards potential customers. Access to a broader network can lead to partnerships, mentorship, and valuable industry insights. Expert Guidance: Investors contribute to financial management, operational success, and challenging decisions to guide their investment towards success. They bring experience and knowledge that can help navigate market challenges and scale efficiently. Flexible Repayment Terms: These allow for continuous business growth and stronger cash flow, helping with reinvestment for hiring more talent or expanding the product line. Terms are often more favorable compared to traditional loans, with longer repayment periods and lower interest rates. Understanding Types of Investors and Their Stages Traditionally, funds were borrowed and co-invested by family, friends, or bank loans. In the evolved startup ecosystem, there is increased interest from investors willing to take risks to support and back potential ideas of entrepreneurs. Depending on how the business has been bootstrapped, there are different kinds of investors at each stage: Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, and Private Equity. Angel investors are typically the initial financial supporters, often comprising family and friends, who invest based on the founder’s vision and future projections. These investors usually negotiate for around 15% equity and can be found through networking, social platforms like LinkedIn, and investor events. They often provide not just capital but also mentorship and advice in the early stages. Venture capitalists (VCs) are professional investors who manage pooled funds from many sources to invest in high-growth startups. VCs conduct thorough due diligence and expect detailed business plans and financial projections. They often require a seat on the board of directors and have significant influence on company decisions. VCs provide substantial capital to scale businesses rapidly and often invest in multiple rounds. Private equity investors typically invest in established companies that require significant capital for expansion or restructuring. These investors focus on later-stage businesses with proven business models and consistent revenue streams. They often involve in buyouts, aiming to enhance the company’s value before exiting through sales or public offerings. Private equity investors provide strategic support to streamline operations, improve efficiencies, and maximize profitability. Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular method where small amounts of capital are raised from a large number of individuals, typically via online platforms. Crowdfunding can validate the market demand for a product or service and offers a way to engage directly with customers and build a community of supporters. Understanding the types of investors and their stages is essential for any founder looking to raise funds strategically and efficiently.