10 Top Tips for Pitching to Investors

10 Top Tips for Pitching to Investors

Guy Rigby, Head of Entrepreneurial Services at accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson, is an expert on the topic of raising equity finance.

Guy argues that businesses often leave it too late when thinking about raising finance: “Last minute planning will not impress your potential investors, who will wish to approach their investment in a measured and structured way…The smartest approach is to prepare and act well before the funding becomes a necessity.”

With this in mind, Guy offers his top ten essential tips when it comes to thinking about and raising equity finance for your business:

1 – Ownership determines outcomes – consider whether you need external equity or can you keep it in the family.

2 – Plan your fundraising thoroughly and be fully prepared.

3 – Research your potential investors carefully to make sure that they are a suitable fit for you and your business.

4 – Make sure your management team is up to scratch – you don’t want any weaknesses in your line-up.

5 – Be open and transparent in meetings with potential investors.

6 – Get good advisers who care about you and your business.

7 – Understand your financial position and forecasts – it isn’t okay to leave this to your financial team, so make sure you know the figures.

8 – Be clear about the amount and purpose of your fundraising.

9 – Remember that investors back people so be likeable and believable, not arrogant and over-confident.

Read Guy’s critically-acclaimed book From Vision to Exit, published by Harriman House.

www.harriman-house.com