As a founder, your success will depend on your ability to convey who you are, what you’re doing, and why it matters. That’s important for marketing and building a real brand, but it’s essential at the early-stage investment rounds.      

How do you know that you’re ready to raise capital? These twelve signs aren’t exhaustive, but they’re a useful measure of your startup’s readiness.       

You must at the very least have (a): 

1. Legally incorporated entity 

2. Defined solution to an unsolved problem 

3. Identified needs of the target customers  

4. Clear estimate on the size of your market, its growth potential, and the incumbents in that market       

5. Basic business model defined with necessary assumptions 

6. Initial team, ideally of more than one member   

7. Prototype/minimum viable product developed  

8. Pilot responses reflected in a final offering  

9. Products/services delivered  

10. Traction/demand for the product validated through pilot tests with real customers  

11. Revenue model finalised        

12. Key performance indicators (KPIs) identified and tracked 

Pitching investors without a plan wastes their valuable time and yours, and it burns your one chance to raise the capital you need to grow and scale. Some key items you’ll need before approaching investors include: 

• Pitch Deck 
• Financial Model 
• Data Room 
• Product Demo