Secret Sauce to Getting Investors Interested

Finding funding as a non-tech founder is like reading a map in a different language. Your destination is hard to find, and it's mentally exhausting.

So we know that when we land that meeting, we have to make it count. It's our shot!

I've built software and worked with founders and investors for the past 15 years, building technology with startup founders who've raised over $220M in funding and $60M in exits in FinTech, Women's Health, AI, and more.

Here's what I've learned from countless pitch decks, meetings, and learnings on how you can make an impact in that meeting:

TLDR:

Investors aren't just looking for a great product—they're looking for a great opportunity.

They want to see:

1. A solution to a real, significant problem
2. A sizable market that needs your solution
3. Traction and growth potential (NUMBERS!)
4. A strong team capable of executing the vision (they believe YOU are the right person to lead this!)

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Now, let's break that all down...

Solve a Real Problem

• Identify a significant pain point in the market
• Ensure your solution addresses this problem effectively
• Validate. Validate. Validate.

Define Your Target Market

• Identify your ideal customer - NICHE DOWN
• Understand their needs, preferences, and buying behaviors
• Show a sizable and growing market opportunity

Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

• Develop a basic version of your product with core features
• Launch quickly to gather user feedback
• Iterate based on real-world usage and data

Show Traction and Growth Potential

• Demonstrate user acquisition and retention - GET USERS
• Display your data - MoM growth, revenue, and engagement
• Share how you'll scale! 1, 3, and 5 year projections

Build a Strong Team

• Get your Avengers lineup with complementary skills
• Advisors, Co-founders, or team members

Have a Clear Business Model

• Show them how you'll make money
• What is the cost structure and path to profitability
• Show potential for high margins and recurring revenue

Protect Your Intellectual Property

• Secure patents or trademarks where applicable
• Develop proprietary technology or processes
• Create barriers to entry for competitors

Demonstrate Market Awareness

• Know your competitors and your unique advantages
• Stay informed about industry trends and innovations
• Show how you'll adapt to market changes

Pack a Punch with your Pitch

• Ensure your pitch is succinct and on-point
• Your pitch deck needs to tell a story
• Delivery of the story is everything

Remember, investors are looking for products with high growth potential, a clear competitive advantage, and a team capable of executing the vision.

And just because you're building a tech company doesn't mean you need to be venture-backed.

If you decide it's your path, do your homework, study the landscape, and be consistent AF in building a product that customers need and investors want.

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