Raising capital is an essential process when aiming to grow or finance your business with new ideas. While it certainly isn’t easy to do, there are a few tips you can keep in mind.

1. Build a strong company identity:

In order to attract general interest from potential investors and partners, it is recommended you form an impressionable and cohesive company or brand identity. Try to develop an identity that is not only an accurate reflection of your company’s goals and values but also memorable when you explain it to others. Make sure that your business identity highlights an aspect of your business as unique from others in the industry, whether that be an entirely new type of product, an innovative production method, or even your staff culture.

By having an unforgettable company identity, it is much easier to sell your business ideas to potential investors and have them trust in your goals and abilities as well. Your confidence in your business and its identity will naturally translate during your marketing pitches and convince your potential investors and partners to also believe in your abilities. By making sure your business goals and identity align with each other, it becomes much easier for you and all those involved in your business to grow confident in it and invest your resources into it.

2. Research and approach the right investors:

When it comes to financial matters, the more options the better. While you may have a clear idea of what you want from an investor, they may not have the same opinions on you and your business. It is important to consider doing background research on your investors, be aware of your own business position and evaluate whether or not you can meet an investor’s expectations and the positive two-way relationship you can build together.

The easiest way to find the right investor for you is to widen your scope of potential investors by networking with not only business-savvy people but also those you are familiar with, such as friends, colleagues and even family. Companies that operate purely in your niche industry are also good potential investors to consider. Keep in mind that the right investors are those who can accommodate for your funding needs in both form (some methods of funding are riskier than others) and monetary amount.

3. Organise a pitch:

When trying to raise capital for your business, always have a pitch ready to make to any potential investor you come across. Just like your company identity, your pitch should be unique in order for you to stand out amongst your competition. To prepare an impressive marketing pitch, here are some quick tips:

• Structure your pitch as if it is a story to engage your audience.
• Incorporate as many visual components as you can.
• Keep your pitch short and to the punch.
• Make sure that after your pitch, your audience remembers your idea/business.