How to find an investor for a small business from scratch? This question is often asked by young and aspiring entrepreneurs who have their own project and idea, but do not have money. Asking for help in getting money is a difficult step, however, you can find your investor by setting yourself the goal of implementing your project. How to attract investors to small business?

Searching for investors to implement an idea in a small business

How to get investment for a small business? When searching for sources of financing for a project, consider the following rules:

• do not delay deadlines;
• collect as much information as possible about the potential investor to avoid misunderstandings in the future;
• carefully calculate the amount of investment required;
• focus on specific goals;
• in the process of negotiations with an investor, be honest and open, do not hide important facts.

Useful video on the topic:

How to get investments for small businesses from the state?

Today, the Russian government offers a wide range of ways to promote the development of small businesses:

• allocation of state subsidies for the purchase of premises and fixed assets in the amount of up to 60 thousand rubles;
• grants for beginning businessmen in the amount of up to 60,000 rubles;
• compensation for previously received bank loans for business development;
• subsidy from the Employment Center up to 25 thousand rubles;
• assistance from Small Business Support Funds;
• subsidy for entrepreneurs aimed at developing innovative technologies (maximum 60 thousand rubles).

You can learn more about state support programs on the Russian Government portal (http://government.ru/).

How to find a private investor to borrow money?

How to find a private investor to borrow money to create and develop a business? To obtain financing, there are online platforms specializing in business lending:

• Fundico - shared lending service;
• Nimfamoney is a closed platform for investors and startups (loan amount from 100,000 to 1 million rubles);
• business.potok.digital - lending to entrepreneurs by private individuals.;
• vdolg.ru - deposits up to 500 thousand rubles to a bank card;
• loanberry.ru - online loan service for up to half a million rubles;
• townmoney.ru is a P2P lending service that unites the interests of borrowers and investors.

How to find an investor for a business from scratch in Russia: 7 ways

How to find an investor to finance a business created from scratch in Russia?

I offer 7 options:

1. Contact your family and friends– this is the option for financing your own business that is most often used by start-ups. And here the essence of the matter is not to borrow money against a receipt or interest - the essence of the matter is to turn a friend or relative into your partner and boss, and start earning money together. This investment option is optimal if the diet involves a small amount - many friends and relatives will not have a lot of money for your project, free amounts on hand. The main thing is to convince them of the profitability of your idea and the opportunity to receive their share of passive income.
2. We are looking for a business agent. Today in the service market there are many agents - intermediaries between a startup and an investor who are ready to help you find a potential sponsor for a certain percentage or amount of money. Agents often unite in various associations and clubs - their coordinates can be easily found on the Internet and already on the spot have a more substantive business conversation. This option of finding an investor for your own project will be of interest to those who are planning to bring something grandiose and large-scale to life. Most often, agents have access and contacts with very wealthy investors, and if they like your project and it is approved, the matter will not be about finances. But they are unlikely to sponsor projects that will not bring in a lot of money - this is not their level, and here it is worth going and choosing a different option for finding investment.
3. Crowdfunding. If we talk about this type of search for an investor, then this phenomenon means the help of the crowd or public funding, built on the principle of mutual aid funds. This phenomenon has been gaining a lot of momentum in recent years - this option of searching for an investor has gained attention and is therefore worth taking into account. The essence of this method of finding an investor and financing one’s own project is that a person publishes his own idea on one or another specialized website, his own project, and on social networks dedicated to this area, having written down the conditions for participation in the project - those under which he intends to attract financial activists. Anyone can take part in the project, and by contributing their part of the money as a percentage or a fixed amount, you can collect the amount necessary for the implementation of the startup. Most often, this method of searching and attracting investors is used in such areas and areas as charity in the field of medicine, financing non-profit projects - recording amateur music and holding festivals, creating films and holding exhibitions.
4. Bank loan. An option for finding an investor is to contact the bank with your own developed business project, all the necessary calculations of investments and profits, and the payback period. But this option is possible if you have stable and official earnings and can make a certain deposit in the form of real estate or a car. This option is relevant if there is a need for a large amount of money, if the initial investment in your project does not require large financial investments - you can resort to financial sponsorship from microfinance organizations, where the conditions for issuing borrowed funds are somewhat softer, although the interest rate for using the loan will be higher than in jar.
5. Platforms for attracting business investment. If you don’t want to resort to the help of a bank or microfinance organization, you can visit specialized platforms for startups. It is on such specialized platforms that the necessary information for a beginner is posted - research and statistics, practical advice and assistance in launching new projects, plus data on investors, the ability to find their coordinates and contacts, investment conditions. In search of your own investor, you can visit online lending platforms. This is a kind of MFO or bank lending format. More specifically, such a platform could be Startups.co, which can act as a proven and reliable channel for finding a potential investor. As statistics show, more than 13.9 million potential users and investors have already been registered on the presented platform, who can act as both a consultant and a sponsor. Another proven platform that is popular among startups and investors is Gust.com - with its support, about 1.8 million dollars have been invested in many projects in recent years.
6. Social networks of professionals– these are groups of potential investors that can be easily found on the Internet. Professional investor networks are a currently developed area where you can meet a potential sponsor working in one direction or another. Most of the sites presented on the network work with foreign investors who are ready to directly join the international, global business space.
7. Business angels, private equity funds. If you need to find a reliable investor for your own project, you can contact a private investment company that specializes in this type of financial investment. What’s most important is that you can get approval for a variety of amounts, ranging from several thousand to several million dollars. What is the interest of the investors themselves - after a few years, to sell their own part a few years after the start of the startup. An example is the private equity fund Zunder Invest. But even if you were refused a loan of money, you were refused by a bank or an MFO, an investor - do not despair. Perhaps your investor has not yet met your path, or your project does not meet all the requirements of a potential sponsor.

Where to find an investor for a business from scratch: 5 options

To find investments, you can use the following tools and resources:

• Social networks for professionals (LinkedIn, EFactor, Xing, Plaxo, Startup Nation, Cofoundr and Meetup)
• Business incubators and accelerators (The best include Synergy Innovations, Ingria, the business incubator of the Academy of National Economy, the API Moscow business accelerator, the First City Business Incubator of St. Petersburg and others)
• Platforms for startups (the full list is below)
• Small business support funds and employment centers
• Investment club “Business Youth” (molodost.bz/investfund_OLD)
• Investor forums (investory.biz, investorov.net/forum, investtalk.ru/forum/)

Websites for finding investors in Russia and abroad: top 20

The most popular platforms for finding investors today are:

How to attract investment in business: ideas and platforms for startups

How to attract an investor to a startup is the first most difficult task that a novice investor who wants to implement his business idea will have to solve.

Where to find investment for a startup? To finance your project, you can use specialized online platforms for searching for private investors, the help of business angels, business accelerators and incubators, government support programs, and crowdinvesting platforms.

How to get investment for a startup? To obtain funding, the startuper must convince the investor of the viability and profitability of the project. To do this, you will need to cover the following topics in your business plan in as much detail and reasoning as possible:

• uniqueness and prospects of the project;
• demand for a product or service on the market;
• investment size;
• payback period of investments;
• projected level of profitability;
• guarantees for return of invested funds.

How to attract investors to a project quickly and without unnecessary problems? The search for investments and investors can be carried out using specialized online platforms:

• Boomstarter is a Russian crowdfunding platform.
• Planeta.ru is a platform that allows you to raise from 20,000 to 15 million rubles for the implementation of any creative idea.
• nachinanie.ru - service for collective financing of new projects
• Startups.co is an international platform for startups that allows you to solve the problem of how to find an investor for a project.

How to write a business plan for an investor: key points of the project

How to draw up a project for an investor? The business project summary should contain the following points:

• description of the essence of the business idea;
• market analysis;
• portrait of the target audience;
• how and with the help of what tools the idea will be monetized;
• analysis of competitors (their strengths and weaknesses);
• the team involved in the project implementation;
• project benefits;
• investment project performance indicators (payback period (DPP), MIRR, IRR (internal rate of return), ARR (return on investment ratio));
• how much money has already been invested in the project at the start;
• investment use plan;
• what the investor will receive as a result and in what time frame.

How to calculate return on investment (ROI)? To calculate, you must use the following formula: ROI = PE / I * 100%, where PE is the net profit for a certain period of time (this indicator is calculated as the difference between the total profit and the cost); And - investments.

How to make your business proposal attractive and find a private investor? Where and how do you search for investors for startups? Who can help if I'm looking for an investor to open a business in Moscow?

Hello everyone who visited our site! Denis Kuderin is in touch, an investment specialist.

Let's continue the topic of investing. In the new article I will try to answer in detail the question of how to find an investor for business projects, startups and other commercial endeavors.

The publication will be useful for both beginning entrepreneurs and those who already have experience in promoting and developing their own business.

So, let's begin!

1. Why are they looking for an investor?

Any business needs financial support. Without attracting funds, the full development of the project is impossible - it will simply die in its infancy.

Saving money and patiently waiting for the right moment is not an option: in business, time is the most important factor for success. While you save money, your niche will certainly be occupied by agile competitors.

There is nothing wrong with a lack of finances. Even the largest modern companies (for example, Google) at the debut stage developed exclusively at the expense of third-party capital.

Young and promising enterprises almost always feel a shortage of finances: as a rule, this is balanced by an excess of promising ideas. Today, the process of finding investors has been greatly simplified - there are hundreds of funds and companies ready to provide their resources to budding businessmen.

However, these funds do not provide money to every businessman. First, you need to convince your partner to cooperate with you, prove that your project is better, more promising and more interesting than that of your competitors, and provide a competent business plan.

And since most investors are professionals with extensive experience, they are able to almost accurately determine where it is better to invest in order to get a guaranteed profit.

Remember: foundations and private investors are not engaged in charity: they are interested in a full and, as quickly as possible, return on their investments.

Any sources of financing - credit institutions, venture capital companies, business angels - are interested in the return of their assets and do not give out money without sufficient commercial grounds. The exception is organizations that issue grants, but it is even more difficult to win their attention.

Natural questions arise:

• How exactly to attract an investor to your business?
• how to talk to an investor so as not to get rejected?
• where is it better to contact – investment funds, banks, directly to businessmen, friends and acquaintances?

I will try to answer these questions (and some others) in subsequent sections of this publication.

2. What might interest an investor?

Why do some entrepreneurs manage to find money in a matter of days, while others spend years looking for financial support for (at first glance) promising projects?

It’s not a matter of natural charm at all (more precisely, not only of it). Getting an investor interested is a whole science or even an art. First of all, investors need guarantees that their money will work.

Every investor needs to know everything about business participants - their professional and organizational abilities, motivation and goals.

When turning to partners for support, entrepreneurs should prepare in advance:

1. Presentation of your project– an intriguing introduction to the essence and meaning of the upcoming business is half the success.
2. Competent business plan: This document, among other things, must contain specific indicators that the company intends to achieve over a certain period.
3. A realistic plan for spending the funds received– the investor must know where the funds provided to him will go.

Your partners do not need excessive information, but you should have ready-made answers to any possible question from the investor. Excessive optimism will also not inspire confidence: do not try to inflate possible profits and do not remain silent about possible risks.

Try to interest the investor in the originality of your idea, but also remember that too radical innovations may scare away conservative lenders.

Example

A startup developer begins a conversation with an investor with the following phrase: “I want to provide you with a product that has never been on the market before!” It sounds impressive, but an experienced businessman will immediately be wary. He knows that there is usually nothing on the market for which there is no demand.

Even if your product is truly unique, be prepared to prove it to your potential partner with facts. Think in advance about how you will deal with objections and conduct a personal risk analysis.

When starting your search, it is also advisable to immediately determine the circle of people who will be interested in your offer. Your actions must be purposeful. You can search for partners on your own or with the assistance of professional consultants.

3. How to find an investor - step-by-step instructions for beginning businessmen

By acting consistently, competently and, as they say, “according to science,” you will achieve results much faster. The main rule when looking for sources of financing is to take into account the interests of the investor. Remember that the person providing the loan is always guided by commercial considerations.

Your potential partners do not need innovation; they are not concerned at all with your well-being, but with multiplying and preserving their own funds. Many of them are not at all interested in new business ideas, since they are already mortally tired of active commerce.

Investors have already earned money through their own labor and now simply want to receive passive income from their assets. At the same time, they are interested in ways that will bring more money than mutual funds, banks and other traditional investment areas.

Your task is to convince your partners that you will provide them with such income.

Step 1. Create a clear business plan

A business plan is the first thing investors pay attention to. If you do not have a well-designed development strategy, your chances of success in seeking financial support will be minimal.

The plan should contain the following items:

• the essence of the proposed idea;
• the size of the required investments;
• commercial benefit for the investor;
• approximate payback period and first profit;
• prospects for the company's development.

Experts advise paying attention to every detail, right down to the execution of documents: it is recommended to print them on high-quality paper and accompany them with professional graphic design.

Step 2. Decide on a suitable form of cooperation

There are various ways of interaction between the recipient of the investment and the investor. It is necessary to decide in advance which form will be most effective for your company.

Some investors give money at interest, others may demand a share in the business or commissions on future earnings. Having chosen the most acceptable cooperation model for you, be sure to indicate it in the plan.

Remember that a new businessman needs to be flexible: if an investor insists on a particular form of interaction, it may be worth meeting him halfway.

Step 3. We turn to experienced businessmen for help

A beginner will be best understood by experienced entrepreneurs who have been working in your chosen niche for a long time. Many successful businessmen willingly give advice to neophytes if they are planning a mutually beneficial partnership in the future.

Even if the “senior friend”, after listening to the business idea, does not decide to make direct investments, he will certainly provide you with valuable parting words or wishes that will bring success in the future. In addition, he may recommend your candidacy to others.

Step 4. Negotiate

A positive response to an investment proposal often depends on skillfully conducted negotiations.

Even if you have no problems communicating with people, you need to prepare in advance for a conversation with a potential investor. As I already said, you will need answers to possible questions and logical arguments in favor of the viability of your startup.

At the first meeting with a potential partner, you will be expected to make a competent presentation. You will not go wrong if you invite a specialist to participate in the presentation of the project, who will clearly and clearly explain all the nuances of your idea.

Step 5. Conclude an agreement

The culmination of the meeting is the signing of investment documents or a cooperation agreement. I think there is no need to remind you that the contract should be read, not skimmed. It is even better if a professional lawyer gets acquainted with it.

The contract must indicate:

• investment amount;
• terms of interaction;
• rights and obligations of partners.

According to the document, the money is transferred to the customer under certain conditions. The essence of these conditions is that funds are invested specifically in business (production, equipment, creation of an online project).

The investor must be sure that his assets will not be used (even partially) for outside needs - for example, to pay the debts of the head of a startup.

4. Where to find an investor - 5 proven ways

We have come to the next most important question - where to find an investor? The short (albeit banal) answer is as follows: you can find a business investor anywhere.

You just need to look around carefully and you will see how much free money is spinning in the financial space. These funds are just waiting to be “taken into circulation” by energetic and enterprising people, which (I sincerely believe) are our readers.

Let's consider the most popular ways to attract financial resources to your project.

Method 1. Friends and relatives

It is unlikely, of course, that you have heard such a phrase from your friends: “I wish I could become an investor in some promising startup.” However, the inner circle is exactly the area where you should begin your search.

This is especially true for young and novice businessmen, whose number of real contacts in the business world is usually zero. But almost everyone has friends or relatives who have the amounts necessary for an initial deposit.

And often these people do not know where to put their “free” money. Due to the low level of financial literacy, citizens of the Russian Federation sometimes do not even suspect that their existing assets can and should be increased by making smart investments.

However, everyone strives to protect their finances from inflation. Your goal is to convince your friends to become business partners. I agree, the task is not an easy one: in our country, even close people often do not trust each other. But this is no more difficult than borrowing money from a bank or investment fund.

My only advice is to not promise mountains of gold to your friends, uncles, aunts and cousins. Be realistic. Treat your loved ones as official investors: you can even provide them with a full-fledged business plan to dispel any doubts.

Method 2. Experienced entrepreneurs

Even in the smallest city there are people who own successful businesses and have already amassed a substantial fortune. Experienced entrepreneurs understand that money should work, and not lie as a dead weight.

Successful businessmen are always looking for where to invest their capital so that it brings stable profits without much labor. Your task is to make such people believe in your business idea and invest in a new endeavor.

There are two main partnership options:

• take money in the form of a long-term loan;
• offer equity participation in the project.

In the second case, your freedom of action will be significantly limited, but experienced businessmen are more willing to engage in such cooperation.

Read more about this method of searching for investors in the article “”.

Method 3. Investment funds

Such structures often specialize in assisting small and medium-sized businesses. To receive money from an investment fund, you need to prove to its representatives the viability of your project.

This option is more suitable for those who already have an existing business, but do not have enough funds to develop it. For a positive decision on the part of the organization’s management, you, again, will have to carry out thorough preparatory work.

Namely, to analyze the company’s work and draw up a plan for its development or reconstruction.

Method 4. Business incubators

Incubators and technology parks are ways to organize a favorable business environment for aspiring businessmen. In incubators, the development of businessmen occurs quickly and painlessly. Beginners get a chance to realize their own ideas at minimal cost.

Every major city has one or more business incubators. They may be called Entrepreneurship Development Centers or something else, but their essence is the same - to help neophytes create their own business or enterprise.

Technology parks are usually based at universities or research institutions. Their task is to introduce into practice production developments related to hi-tech (high technology). Thanks to technology parks, large industrial companies benefit from the achievements of small, knowledge-intensive businesses.

Most Russian institutions of this type were created with state support.

Method 5. Banks

The most traditional way to find funds for a business. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get a loan.

Typical requirements of financial organizations for recipients of loans for business activities:

• availability of collateral;
• impeccable credit history;
• reliable guarantors.

In addition, such loans are issued at high interest rates (average rate - 17%).

Sometimes it’s easier to get a consumer loan: simpler, but not cheaper. After all, if things suddenly don’t work out, you’ll have to repay not only the debt, but also the accrued interest.

If this prospect does not scare you, then my advice is to borrow money from companies where you already have an account. Or contact large financial organizations - Sberbank, .

The table shows the most popular loan products for debutants of small and large businesses:

5. Alternative sources of investment - what are they?

It is not always possible to find an investor or a sufficient amount to implement your plans. In such situations, try to get help from alternative sources.

These include:

• state funds to support entrepreneurship;
• grants from private companies;
• companies offering to open a franchise business.

In Moscow and some other cities there are committees and centers for promoting small/medium businesses. These organizations are ready to act as guarantors for loans and sometimes even provide subsidies to pay off interest rates.

Some companies (in particular, " Support of Russia") they themselves are even ready to give money for promising projects. Applicants for subsidies are selected on a competitive basis.

Grant is the most desirable option for young businessmen. The advantage of such assistance is that the grant does not need to be repaid; it is free of charge.

Finance is allocated from budget funds and directed to the development of priority business areas for a particular region or city. Large regional and metropolitan universities often act as intermediaries in issuing free loans.

There are also international organizations of a similar nature - for example, the Scientific Potential Foundation.

There is a separate material on the site.

Self-confidence, creativity and a well-developed business idea: these are the main success factors in finding an investor. The investor must understand that he is not throwing money away, but is investing it in a profitable and worthwhile business.

To help future businessmen, we have collected the most practical advice on attracting third-party subsidies.

Tip 1. Regularly visit places where potential investors gather

Large cities regularly host events to help newcomers meet the right people. Not only investors hang out on such platforms, but also mentors, mentors, experts and other useful people.

The development of information technology greatly simplifies the task of entrepreneurs. There are many intermediary resources online, with the help of which investors look for investment properties and vice versa.

Tip 2. Gather a team of professionals who are passionate about one idea

Teamwork is always more effective than “solo” projects. An example of this is our website “HeatherBeaver”, which works thanks to the coordinated actions of like-minded people.

People who share each other’s views and are passionate about the same idea often make more correct and far-sighted decisions, overcome difficulties more successfully and achieve the desired results faster.

Tip 3: Don't be afraid to pitch your idea to funders

Do not be afraid that you will not be understood, and do not make your project a mystery shrouded in darkness. Openness appeals to investors. If you trust your financial benefactors, they will trust you too.

Tip 4. Don’t set yourself the task of achieving everything at once

This refers to the ability to be patient and flexible. It will be great if you offer the investor several options for business development at once.

Remember also that gradual and systematic movement is more productive than running headlong over rough terrain.

Tip 5. Competently justify the advantages of your startup

If you can clearly and simply explain the advantages and unique properties of your startup, you will gain a competitive advantage over other applicants.

Lack of an original idea and sluggish presentation are the main reasons for failures in finding a source of funding.

And for clarity, a video on the topic of searching for investors with the participation of the famous businessman Vladimir Dovgan.

7. Who can provide professional assistance in finding an investor?

If you find it difficult or impossible to find financial sources for your business, you should seek professional help.

There are platforms on the Internet for those who:

• wishes to invest funds;
• looking for investment;
• wants to find a business partner.

Let's look at the most famous Russian-language resources of this type.

Notice board for investors, startupers, entrepreneurs in need of business partners. The service helps people with finances invest money in profitable projects. And vice versa - budding businessmen can find generous investors here to support their projects.

Advertisements are divided by region and business area. Activities include Internet and IT, Culture and Art, Science, Real Estate, Education and dozens of other promising areas.

Among the participants are hundreds of businessmen and investors from Russia, Belarus and European countries. Placing advertisements is free. Simply register on the site, and your chances of finding investors or business partners will increase many times over.

Finding investors for a business: 4 basic steps for searching + 9 sources of start-up capital.

Finding investors for business with the presence of brilliant ideas, a lot of energy and a great desire to develop, it will not require much work.

It is carried out at the initial stage of implementation of a new business project, when the problem of a lack of funds arises.

In this article we will tell you in more detail which investors will help make your dream come true.

How to find an investor for a business and how to interest him?

Every person strives to replenish his “wallet” by any means possible, especially when it comes to an investor.

Who has almost all his finances in work, thereby regularly replenishing his owner’s bank account, provided that he does not have to do anything for this.

Typically, people use this type of saving and increasing funds after they are faced with the interest that banks give for keeping it on deposit.

After all, such income barely compensates for the level of inflation.

An investor should be treated as a full partner.

On the one hand, an idea is invested in cooperation, and on the other, money.

Therefore, such a process is mutually beneficial for everyone.

Experts say that a successful search for investors for a business depends on a professionally prepared and presented presentation that can convince the investor about the profitability of the investment.

There are several points to keep in mind for investors:

• creativity and uniqueness of the future business;
• deposit amount;
• payback period for a new idea;
• detailed calculation of income.

If weighty arguments are found according to the above criteria, then we can assume that the person will unconditionally agree to cooperate.

Finding an investor to invest in a business: 4 basic steps

Action #1: Develop a Plan

Develop a plan that will subsequently be presented to the investor.

The presented presentation must convince the potential investor of the profitability and quick payback of the project.

An example of information that a business plan for an investor should contain:

A business plan for this purpose is somewhat different from the standard one.

First of all, volume.

It is believed that a document longer than 15-20 pages will “work” much less effectively than its “brother.”

Also, the difference is that this is a guide, like a step-by-step instruction for the entrepreneur himself.

But the plan prepared for investors is a marketing tool.

It should not just describe the business, but present it attractively.

For this purpose, applications, graphs, plates, and diagrams are actively used.

It is better to entrust the creation of such a document to specialized intermediary companies.

Action #2: What type of investor is needed?

For example, you can find a depositor who will provide funds for the purchase of necessary equipment for a business or expansion of an enterprise at a specified interest rate.

Or find an investor who will sponsor the business and become a co-owner in the future.

You should determine the direction in finding a investor and the specifics of your cooperation.

Action No. 3: Help from experienced businessmen

“The main thing is not the effect, but the effectiveness of actions.”
Farhad Akhmedov

Seek advice and guidance from experienced businessmen who have been working in this direction for many years.

They will help point out possible risks or simply suggest how to find an investor for a business. .

Action #4: Specialized services

Post the project and a brief description on specialized startup databases and forums for searching for business investors.

After this, after some time, maybe you will receive a call from an investor about interest in investing money in a start-up business.

We present the most popular specialized services for posting an idea and finding an investor:

1. https://www.investclub.ru/view.php?id=10639 – the site will help you find an investor for any type of business activity.

https://starttrack.ru/ – StartTrack 725 helps to conclude deals between the founder and a person who is ready to invest money in the project being presented.

To date, there are 800 investors on the site and 40 projects are on display.

The portal contains 4,325 projects, of which 1,423 need investment.

https://www.napartner.ru/ is the very first startup exchange on the Russian market.

The innovative ideas website features 1,239 investors, 9,983 “innovators” and 500 business ideas.

There is also a section where you can purchase an already completed business.

https://www.askcap.ru/ is one of the largest investor search databases in the country.

The website contains profiles of 6,512 ideas, the lion's share of which are available for consideration only after authorization on the portal.

Technology parks, incubators, accelerators, and venture funds cooperate with Askcap.

https://angel.co/ – this service is the progenitor of the above investor search sites.

The portal contains 1,600 startups and 421 investors from the Russian Federation.

Where to look for investors for a business?

Friends and loved ones

Finding an investor for a business is not an easy task.

It would be wise to involve all relatives and friends in such a process.

This is the most advantageous method that will reduce the expected risks to a minimum.

In addition, if the implementation of an idea requires small investments, you can interest your comrades in the profitability of the project and offer to invest their hard-earned money in promoting the business.

Naturally, at a certain monthly percentage.

Businessmen with experience

It is either big, there are businessmen who are firmly on the trading “platform” and want the already earned finances not just to sit in the bank, but to generate additional income every month.

You should warm up the person to the new idea and offer to make a contribution on terms beneficial to both parties.

Or, if the investor wishes, make him a partner.

But the latter option can fetter and limit the actions of the business founder himself.

This step should only be taken in extreme cases.

Funds

But to do this, you need to provide compelling arguments that your project is vital to society.

You should know that often when contacting this organization, a businessman must already have some initial capital and be willing to invest in his business.

That is, this method is more suitable for existing enterprises that want to expand their trading area and product range.

To receive assistance, you must also provide a plan and analysis of the existing company.

Do not forget to monitor the work of investment funds, which may hold competitions and select promising works.

Who knows, maybe you'll be lucky.

Let's look at the most popular funds that have helped many budding entrepreneurs:

https://www.runacap.com/

The founder of the fund is Russian businessman Sergei Belousov.

He introduced brands such as Rolsen to the world and is the creator of Parallels (a platform for hosting cloud services).

If you manage to cooperate with this company, then there is no doubt about its profitability.

After moving from Murmansk to Moscow, Igor Matsanyuk founded a foundation specialized in games, services and applications for phones.

If an entrepreneur has a creative idea related to computer technology, then this fund is just for him.

1. https://www.kiteventures.com/ is another fund for business development.

Business incubators

These are structures that are created to help start-up companies get started.

Business incubators offer their residents:

• renting premises at a reduced price (and in some cases – free of charge);
• meeting rooms;
• support in establishing contact with investors and buyers;
• consultations in consulting and information matters.

The key difference between a business incubator and other forms of investor assistance is the participation of people who mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

They function not just as “finance providers”, but also as development partners and business mentors.

If you need support from experienced businessmen, contact the following business incubators:

• https://www.osp.ru/news/2010/0913/13003512/
• https://inc.hse.ru/
• https://www.inmsu.ru/ru/
• https://www.rea.ru/ru/org/managements/orgnirupr/Pages/bi.aspx
• https://www.ranepa.ru/kto-ya-2/student-bakalavriata/studencheskaya-zhizn-v-akademii/biznes-inkubator
• https://rb.ru/incubator/incube/
• https://theoryandpractice.ru/organizations/3940-biznes-inkubator-incube-ankh

Bank as an investor

But getting it is not so easy.

Banks often make excessive demands on the borrower, which the latter cannot always cope with.

To apply for a loan, the bank provides:

• guarantor
• deposit amount,
• package of relevant documents.

If bank requirements are not met, then you can be left without a business, and even with a huge debt.

A bank loan is ideal for starting a small business that does not require major capital investments.

Finding investors for a business is quite a labor-intensive task that requires enormous patience and perseverance.

It is necessary to carefully consider each of the available options and calculate possible financial losses.

If all this is done, then there is a huge chance of finding a profitable investor.

Investors among foreign businessmen

In the case of foreign investors, you can forget about your previous triumphs.

Such people look exclusively at real achievements in business.

Also, only those projects that can bring multi-million dollar profits (preferably in US currency) are usually considered.

A business idea does not necessarily have to be in a technological direction.

Any ideas that multiply the investor’s capital many times over are considered.

Foreign investors will never invest their capital in a project based only on the ambitions of the creator of the idea.

Exclusively the numbers and facts from the prepared business plan will be strong arguments for concluding cooperation.

You can look for foreign investors for your business idea on the following sites:

• https://investgo24.com/ is an international portal that will help you find investments for your idea.
• https://start2up.ru/ - will help you find a person who is ready to invest money in a business, not only in the regions of Russia, but also abroad.
• https://www.magnat.su/ – using this site you can find not only foreign partners, but also put your own business up for sale.

By franchise

Banks are happy to provide finance for the development of a franchise business.

This is one of the few cases when the latter without any problems provides the necessary funds to open a company.

And that's not all: a deferred payment period of six months is provided.

With the help of this, a novice businessman will be able to direct his strength and energy to promoting his brainchild.

Thereby speeding up the process of repaying the debt to the bank.

To obtain this type of loan, you must appoint one guarantor, and the bank is guaranteed to approve the application.

How does this method work?

Let's say a novice businessman has a promising and creative idea related to the engineering industry.

The founder contacts the authorized company (eg Porsche).

He demonstrates a presentation of his idea to its representative.

And if a company is interested in this innovation, it can give its patronage to the project in the form of financial assistance or allow the use of the official logo of the company.

When a new firm has such a patron behind it, banks consider it reliable enough to provide the necessary loan.

You will also learn from the video who an investor is and how to look for one:

Finding an investor for a business- this is not an easy matter.

Of course, you can do without outside help if you save the necessary amount and open a small grocery store.

But if the founder has a different task, then the search should be carried out in all possible places with the involvement of a large number of people.

You can also shift this task onto someone else’s shoulders and contact a specialized company that can find an investor to implement the project.

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— subscription to underwear. If you are also thinking about developing your startup or launching something from scratch, then our experience will certainly be useful to you.

We spent some of our own money on the project to test the viability of the idea, but there were no longer enough funds to grow and test serious marketing hypotheses. Then we started looking for investment and found it.

“Trusbox” is not a pure technology service, but it definitely has the potential for development in the direction of IT, so this is exactly what we were looking for for investments. Technological projects often require lengthy and complex development, and the result is measured not only by the kind of metrics that we are accustomed to based on university economics lessons 10 years ago. So if you want to open a beauty salon or a car repair shop, then my advice, unfortunately, will not work for you. But if you come up with a program that makes the work of a car repair shop easier, you can find investments in the project, following our experience.

Anna Gorodetskaya

My documents: what needs to be prepared

At the first stage of a project, it is often recommended to draw up a lot of documents: a description of the concept, mission, necessary regulations - that is, materials without which new team members will have difficulty understanding what your project is about. It’s not a fact that you will definitely need all the files later in your work, but they will definitely come in handy when you draw up key documents for investors.

• Detailed presentation of the project
  You must have a ready document from which a person who has no idea about the scope of your project will understand what you are doing, for whom and how. The document answers the usual questions: what we do, for whom we do it, how we do it, who we are, what are our plans, who are our competitors. If you, like me, are put into a work stupor by open empty files, then use the presentation template on canva.com - they already have structured templates with a minimal design and icons that you can use to visualize processes and numbers.
• Project business plan
  Even if you haven't made a single sale yet, you should still have an idea of ​​where the money is in your project, even if it's small and not soon. But if your project, in principle, does not involve making money, then perhaps it belongs to the social or art sphere, and sponsors, rather than investors, will help you better.
• Road map
  A document that will describe what, when and with what forces you plan to achieve. It should consist of several milestones and describe the processes and resources that will help you get there.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator/Unsplash

Where am I: determine the stage of the project

To choose the right potential investor and project presentation strategy, you first need to decide what you have. There is a simple classification for projects in the first stages of development.

• Pre-seed— you have an idea, a team, a working prototype, hypotheses about the audience and sales channels, confirmed by small numbers. That is, you have a project in which there are some people, and the project is working confidently, albeit at low speed.
• Seed- you bypassed all the pitfalls of the previous stage, did not go crazy, did not leave for Nepal, and are now ready to grow sharply and strongly.

Your strategy for finding an investor will depend on what stage your project is at: some funds may specialize in projects at different stages. When you apply to a specific fund, you will need to indicate what your current project status is.

If your stage is a confident pre-seed and you have not yet released, in fact, anything, this does not mean that you will not be able to find an investor. The first option of finding an investor will not require you to have a finished product.

About the benefits of hackathons

If you have a team of developers, even a small one, then be sure to participate in thematic or corporate hackathons. A hackathon is a short-term event (most often held over a weekend) in which teams or individual developers solve one problem voiced by the organizer. In addition to possibly winning an impressive prize that can be used to develop the project, you will meet serious people in your industry.

Companies that hold hackathons are obviously interested in additional products; if they like your project, you have a serious chance of attracting hackathon organizers as investors, as was the case with three teams at once at the “Build a University” hackathon. You can view a list of upcoming hackathons.

If a hackathon is not suitable for you, then nothing prevents you from contacting the investor directly, because thanks to the documents that you have already prepared, you know how much investment you need (although this point will be discussed).

QIWI Universe/facebook

Where to look

1. Follow the trail
If your product is definitely something tech (medtech, fintech, etc.) and it solves a clear problem, then look to the big companies in your sector, many of them have their own investment solutions. For example, QIWI has a separate platform through which you can contact the company with a request for investment.

2. Spying on our neighbors
If you carefully and carefully prepared the presentation of your project, then you probably know all the competitive startups in your industry. Information about transactions is a major information feed that is very rarely hidden. You can check online to see if your competitors have received investments in the last year, and if so, from whom. Feel free to contact funds that have invested in projects similar to yours: this means that the fund is already working with your topic, understands something about it and will be able to evaluate your project for subsequent investment.

3. Contact directly
The simplest and most obvious advice, which for some reason no one uses: just write to investment funds. The Firrma website has a ranking of the most active (that is, those who conducted the most transactions) venture funds for the year. There are both seed and new funds. The algorithm in this case is as follows: you need to go to the investment fund’s website, try to find a project presentation template there, fill it out and send it, along with a covering letter, to the address indicated on the website. Investment funds actually read the letters they receive. They make money from investments and, of course, do not want to miss out on interesting options.

I strongly recommend finding a presentation template for a specific fund and working with it, because in any case you will be asked to provide information in a standard form, and you will simply lose time and some credibility if you do not use a document that is in the public domain.

cartierawards/instagram

One of the formats for reaching investments is startup competitions. Most often, an investment fund and a large company are combined to organize them, and the winners receive prizes from both: in the form of investments, in the form of the company’s services, or both. For example, the “First Height” competition is held jointly by the consulting giant McKinsey & Company and the large investment fund Winter Capital. But the most famous startup competition in Russia is GenerationS. In addition to the main competition, every year there are different nominations, the process of application and expert verification in them can be simpler, so check if there is a special nomination this year on the topic of your project, and if there is, then feel free to apply on the website (list of special nominations located at the bottom of the main page of the site).

Pay special attention to competitions that stimulate the development of women's entrepreneurship. Thus, the famous jewelry house Cartier has a competition program for women business leaders from all over the world.

By the way, it’s not just Cartier that has separate women’s acceleration and investment projects. Read more about the special opportunities in IT for Pink women.

Investor's choice

An important and responsible matter. Because an investor gives you not only money - he gives you connections and the opportunity to make this money even more money.

In addition, investment money is not given for nothing - you can only receive it in exchange for a share in the company. That is, having allowed another participant into your project, whose interests will definitely be exclusively commercial, you must be prepared for the fact that your actions as a project manager must also take into account the possible benefits for the investor.

This is the main difference between investment and lending: the loan can simply be returned and forgotten, and the investor will remain with you until he leaves the project (sells his share). So if your project involves a relatively simple development cycle and does not require a lot of funds, then it will probably be easier and faster for you to take out a loan for business development, and only then attract larger investments to scale the project.

Whichever option you choose, I wish you good luck and courage: no matter the outcome of your investment hunt, the experience of communicating with funds and making presentations will remain with you forever.

Where to look for an investor? The key question for an entrepreneur who is launching a new business project. To make your search easier, we present to your attention 15 places where to find an investor.

Business angels

This is the name given to private investors who often unite in associations, clubs, communities, and invest their financial resources in promising projects (mainly startups). This option should be considered by those who are planning a grand enterprise and are looking for large private investments. Business angels rarely consider financing low-budget projects.

Internet

On the Internet you can find investors for large and small enterprises. However, you should be careful - there are many scammers here who require advance payment and contributions. Online search, on the one hand, is simple, but on the other hand, you need to devote several hours or days to contact a decent investor.

Bank

If a large amount of investment is required, a number of banks have business portfolios. This option requires a permanent income, collateral and surety. To start a small project, you can get a consumer loan without collateral and income certificate. The loan will not be an investment - it will have to be repaid with interest, even if the business idea fails.

Crowdfunding

Perfect for seeking investment in a startup, charity, or non-profit project. To find finance, the creator of an enterprise publishes his idea on a special website or in a thematic social network community. Anyone can take part in the project. The required amount is accumulated through contributions of different amounts of money.

Venture funds

Venture capital funds often invest financial resources in innovative technologies and finished products. They don't consider ideas without a plan. If you plan to create a new IT product, then a venture fund will probably agree to sponsor it.

Startup platform

If you need to find one investor with a specific name, then you should use startup platforms, where many people want to finance startups. In order for a potential investor to respond, it is necessary to describe the idea of ​​the business project in detail and provide a plan. Which startup platforms are looking for investors:

• PitchBook;
• Network;
• StartupPoint;
• InvestGo24;
• Partner;
• AngelList;
• Wanted Venture Capital and others.

How to find an investor and money for a business, video:

State grant

The state budget may annually provide for expenses to support small and medium-sized businesses. Financial amounts are sent in the form of grants to the population. To become a grant participant, you must submit an application with an impressive package of documents. Depending on the area to which the business project will be attached, a special government body is selected to submit the application. Financial assistance from the state is targeted, so you will have to strictly account for the use of finances.

Business incubators and technology parks

For aspiring entrepreneurs, these organizations provide a favorable business environment. In incubators and technology parks, business develops rapidly and without painful stages. Where can you find such investors? Most of them are in megacities. The base points of technology parks are universities or scientific institutions.

Private equity market

A private equity firm can finance a business project for large sums - from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. The goal of such a company is to sell its share a few years after the investment in order to profit from business development.

Social media

There are a number of social networks where you can find specialists in the field of interest who will provide assistance in financing your business. Well-known social networks with potential investors: LinkedIn, Plaxo, Xing, EFactor, Meetup, Cofoundr.

Accelerators

They are intensive educational programs that provide assistance to projects in the early stages. They support this business project until the first investment is received. A great way to find funding if you can’t find an investor on your own. Accelerators require 3-7% of company revenue to recoup their investment.

mass media

To find an investor, it is advisable to subscribe to thematic media, which publish their proposals in sections. Or “promote” your project so that the media directly contact the author. Over time, investors will respond to the PR campaign with the media.

Competitions

To gain valuable competition experience, gain the attention of investors, and receive a grant, it is recommended to take part in special competitions. They are provided in the format of educational programs, hackathons, and exhibitions for startups. If the project turns out to be promising, the investor will definitely offer his help.

Industry events

Successful businessmen in the field of various technologies present their projects here. Industry events also provide opportunities to meet potential investors, consultants and specialists. It is recommended to search for the main business industry events in your city on thematic online resources. They take place in the format of summits, forums, seminars, master classes, and conferences.

Relatives, friends and acquaintances

Perhaps the easiest way to find an investor and a business partner rolled into one. It is advisable that he specialize in the chosen field and have experience in running a successful business. For a successful start, it is important to create comfortable conditions for conducting the project for all participants.

How to find an investor for a project, video: