Organizer of Unicorn Capital and Minimal Capital, Evan Fisher’s pitching and financial backer system has assisted new businesses with raising more than $2.5 billion.
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- Don’t send VC a virus deck at any point in the future: Start sending video pitches
Most originators fall into an amazingly normal snare: Just in light of the fact that you delivered exceptional outcomes for the last round of financial backers doesn’t mean new financial backers will trust you. This new companion hasn’t seen that presentation firsthand, and they have no motivation to trust you yet.
As an author moving toward your next round, it’s not unexpected to ponder, “How would I get this new gathering of financial backers to believe that I will perform?”
In our experience, originators who raise money effectively are incredible at building connections, and they typically convey what we call “the pre-pitch.” This is the “we really aren’t searching for cash; we simply need to be companions for the time being” pitch that gets you on a financial backer’s radar so when it’s an ideal opportunity to raise your next round, they’ll be undeniably bound to pick up the telephone since they really know who you are.
But the idea of the pre-pitch goes further than simply having potential financial backers know about your reality. Building associations with potential future financial backers expects you to think less like an originator and more like an advertiser — a significant part of the relationship truly difficult work comes well before it’s an ideal opportunity to request a capital commitment.
In the event that a financial backer has made an arrangement in your space, there’s a decent possibility they know a prior round financial backer who might actually be ideal for you today.
There’s a large group of benefits to the pre-pitch approach:
- Good practice: You’re not requesting cash. All things being equal, you’re offering a sneak look. Since your relationship-manufacturer pre-pitch doesn’t have millions on the line, you’ll perpetually be less restless, which prompts better connections. Keep in mind: If it’s anything but a solid match, who cares?
- Candid criticism: When you’re not requesting cash, you’re bound to get legit input that you probably won’t get in a high-stakes environment.
- Set the pattern: You should go over where you’re as of now at, why it’s really not opportunity to raise capital yet (the backwards of “Why Now”), and what you actually need to achieve until the time is right.
- Performance-based trust: Put your presentation where your mouth is by showing your potential financial backer where you are today and what you hope to do temporarily. Later on, you can demonstrate to them that you accomplished what you said you would.
7 approaches to fabricate associations with VCs
Now you’re likely pondering, “What the hell do I say to assemble a decent connection with that next-round financial backer?” Here are a couple of notes on the most proficient method to approach the pre-pitch:
Seek the relationship, not the money
Acknowledge you’re early, but rather notice that you figure it might actually be a solid match later on. State it front and center that you’re looking for a relationship and remain curious to see whether you could ultimately be ideal for each other. Try not to sneak in an ask; let the relationship bloom organically.
Here’s a model: “We’re really not raising yet, and we’re likely too soon for you. In any case, I think this is something you may be exceptionally intrigued by, and thought it seemed well and good to connect, open up a relationship and check whether there may be a fit.”
