How do I find a real investor that will believe in my dream?
I have a foundation that is changing peoples lives and I want to find better quality help and people who have a real appreciation for our mission. I am not a non-profit but am serving an important social mission. How do I find an investor who believes in my mission and will be true partner?
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Aug 20, 2015
Since I don't see any details in your question about your business, the answer I'm providing is do your homework first before going out and trying to find investors. First, do you have a full business plan? If not, put one together and don't forget the executive summary. This ties the whole plan together and allows your potential inventors to quickly see what you're doing and where you are planing to go. If they want to know more, they can read all the details after the summary. Second, inventors want to know what's in it for them? They want to know what the return on their investment will be. Specifically, how soon they can expect to see some profits. In this case, it about them, not about you. So, keep this in mind. Third, do you have competition in your area? If so, what are they doing and find out how they are funded? Are they profitable?
Aug 20, 2015
Commendable goal but unless you have an exit strategy that gives the investors an idea of how long their money will be tied up, you may have a hard time finding investors. They want to see your business and growth plan and why your clients will buy from you rather than from your competitor.
Aug 19, 2015
Foremost you need to describe what is in it for an investor before he will even be willing to read or listen to you. You start with something short and to-the-point to attract attention, to make them curious, and entice them to get involved. Exec Summaries and long, boring Biz Plans will not do that. To the contrary, most of them end up in the trash can before you can blink your eyes. Write a solid, convincing value proposition. I just wrote about about this topic on my blog http://www.globalstrategists.com/blog/-what-a-value-proposition-is-and-is-not
Aug 19, 2015
Hello Melinda , In order to get a real investor that will believe in your dream is to plan your goals - your plan reflects & makes any investor believe in it - How you present your plan showing searling your steps , any investor comcern with the goals & the return , only your main aim is how to convince him .
Aug 17, 2015
If you see the current trends, you can observe well that the owners of large corporations are increasingly turning towards philanthropy and social causes be it Bill Gates, Ratan Tata, Warren Buffet or Richard Branson.
If your idea is unique, you are able to show that you're making real difference in the lives of the people and are able to show the difference in quantifiable numbers, I don't think it will be difficult for you to get the attention.
You may request Ratan Tata directly to fund your venture and if he's convinced, he will put the bucks on your vision. That's how easily accessible he is !! Worth a try.
Aug 17, 2015
Well..whats this 'changing people's lives' thing you're doing? What is this 'socail misson?' exactly?
Aug 16, 2015
Start with: Never say "better quality people" in public or online. It insults your current staff and implies failings in your process (hiring) and product (help provided by these people).
Next: Look for grants. The sort of work you do is often partially grant-funded. Once you have those rolling in, you will look more legitimate to investors, if you are still seeking them. The grant process forces you to prove yourself and your business. Having a grant is a shorthand way of telling others that you pass the test.
Next: Don't look for investors, look for contributors. If you need help with that, talk to me privately. I can help you understand the process and put the right steps in place, but I don't do that for free.
Aug 14, 2015
There are places out there social impact investing is a growing sector for both for profit B Corporations CCC community contribution companies and for not for profits.
I recommend http://www.enableimpact.com/ as a very good example.
Others focus on Government policy education clean tech healthcare etc etc
An example
http://www.ceres.org/about-us/coalition/coalition-members/social-responsibility-investment-group
Aug 14, 2015
Demonstrate success first. While it sounds awful the truth is that most investors need to see elements of serious growth before they get behind anything worthwhile. But that can actually be a good thing as you can demonstrate what is working and what needs money just by trying to get some aspect of your plan working in a meaningful way.
Aug 14, 2015
Build a business plan that compels them to do so! Investors are looking for a place to put their money and get a reasonable return with a reasonable amount of risk. So they compare you to putting money in a money market. You need to provide them with the information in a proper succinct format that they require to be able to compare you accordingly. That is where a good adviser/consultant comes in...I can help!
Aug 14, 2015
Step 1 - don't look for an investor - by the nature of the title they will be looking for a large ROI and IRR that I am going to assume you won't be able to deliver. Focus on finding someone who will work with you to build the social mission and someone that doesn't need a financial return to be happy.
Aug 14, 2015
Hi Melinda. Congratulations for your enthusiasm and commitment. If you want to find an investor, the first thing you need to do is reframe your goal. You are not looking for an investor that will "believe in your dream." You are looking for an investor who will have the reasoned conviction that your foundation will represent a sound investment opportunity. To do that, you need to develop a convincing business pitch. Investors will want to know 1. what it is that you do; 2. why anyone should care about it; 3. how it is different and better than what others are doing; 4. what it can accomplish, financially, and over what period of time. There is more to it, of course, but if you start with these basics you will at least have story you can test with family, friends and your trusted advisers. Good luck!
Aug 14, 2015
Investors are difficult to come by and especially difficult to work with in regard to creative control. A question to consider would be how to raise funds to self-finance, which maintains your ownership and the integrity of your dream.
Raise your personal funds and look for multiple investors for smaller amounts to make up the difference. In many cases someone of like mind will wish to get involved then you are able to acquire the expertise and compatriates that will propel your endeavor.
Professional Developer
Life Leadership
Aug 14, 2015
Melinda I admire that you are seeking investors who can share in a dream rather than focus solely on return. Do keep in mind that for them to "share" in your dream requires that you develop a powerful and concise message that showcases your intention. If your intent resonates the "sharing" will follow. Once you have created this message it's time to reach out to the audience. It is my hope that others are more familiar with and can provide guidance as to where you can best reach this audience.
A very good point Charles about the choice of words. Even though we may not "mean what we say" it is possible we act in a way that is consistent with the words we say (or write). Setting the appropriate stage is an important part of the process.