Impact Hub Berlin’s Post

“I want to start a new business, but am not sure how to start.” This is one common sentence I hear from a lot of people at almost all my conferences and events where I take questions from the audience. 💡 Previously, I’ve already talked about: ✅ How to scale your business ✅ Bootstrapped vs Funding ✅ How to build the right team ✅ Customer retention etc Here, in this series, I want to dive into one very important concept that is actually not talked about! “How do you connect with the right investors at the right time?” Your investors don’t just provide you with the money to run your business, they are literally your partners, mentors, investors, etc all in one, so associating with the right ones is crucial to not only your growth but also to your business’s existence. Here are 4 ways in which you can find the right investors - 1. Having a set objective: Understand why you are actually looking for investors? Is it only for the funds? Is it for guidance and mentorship? This is the most crucial step in the journey, as everything directly aligns with it. 2. Network and connect with potential investors. Since you have now understood your needs and wants, look for similar investors that fit your objectives and connect with them to pitch your plan. 3. Conduct due diligence and build relationships. Due diligence goes both ways, so make sure you do that, and before the commencement of your partnership, build relationships with your investors, as now you’ve joined hands to take your company forward together. 4. Attend entrepreneurial conferences and summits across the globe. I am wrapping up the post with the most important point, as per me. Always learn to be a part of a network where you can find quality people who can contribute to your niche. Attending events and conferences where you find angel investors and other entrepreneurs can be incredibly helpful to your network. This is how you will be able to find the right investors for your business, and that too at the right time! Got any questions? Shoot them in the comments ⭐️ #fundraising #startups #growth #diipadecodes

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 In the startup world, a great investor-founder partnership is more than just funding—it’s about collaboration, shared vision, and creating real impact. 𝘈𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭: 1. Strategic guidance to think bigger and smarter. 2. A wealth of experience to navigate challenges. 3. A network that opens doors to new opportunities. 𝘐𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨: 1. Relentless commitment. 2. A clear vision to solve real-world problems. 3. The grit to turn ideas into scalable solutions. The best partnerships are built on mutual trust, aligned goals, and a shared drive to create something meaningful. Together, they lay the foundation for solving real problems and building sustainable success. I believe the investor-founder relationship can shape the future—not just for businesses, but for industries as a whole. 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄? 𝐈’𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒! #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #InvestorRelations #VentureCapital #FounderJourney #Partnerships #Innovation #BuildingTogether

🚨 Warning 🚨 Unsolicited advice for entrepreneurs and founders 🤓 In March Austin is unmistakably characterized by the appearance of bluebonnets, SXSW madness, and energy buzzing with excitement. Everyone, seemingly from all over the world, gathers in our beautiful and vibrant city to celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education and culture. In the past week or so I had the opportunity to attend over a dozen Founders and Investor events, and hear everything from talks, to panels, fireside chats, seemingly endless pitches, and casual banter about the future of business and human life as we know it. Amongst all the different viewpoints, I picked up on several common themes as they relate to entrepreneurs and founders. In this post I share them with you: 💥  Build a Resilient Business: As an entrepreneur, you should take full responsibility for building a solid foundation for your business. This means surrounding your venture with expertise and a culture of excellence. 💥  Leverage Your Strengths: Identify what you excel at and focus intensely on that. Enlist the guidance of advisors and mentors to strengthen your position and help you navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. 💥  Think Beyond Capital Constraints: The bottleneck for most companies isn't necessarily capital. It's about having the right strategy, resources, and operations in place. Leverage your network and partnerships. 💥  Consider Sustainability: Growth is not just about scaling up. Don't lose sight of what your business needs to sustain itself in the long term. 💥  Venture Capital Realities: VC funding can catapult you to spectacular heights or lead to sensational failures. Assess if the stakes align with your vision, as well as appetite for risk and control. 💥  Strategic Alignment with Your Goals: Always strategize with the end in mind. Ensure every step you take is a stride towards the ultimate outcome you envision for yourself and your business.The essence of these themes isn't just about seeking growth for its own sake but about fostering a sustainable, value-driven business capable of weathering the trials of entrepreneurship. Navigating these truths requires not just insight but actionable strategies tailored to your unique business landscape. 🚀  Ready to elevate your business with strategic clarity and actionable insights? Let's connect and turn these insights into your competitive advantage. #SXSW #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #Sustainability #GrowthMindset #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #StrategicGrowth #BusinessAdvisory

Crack the Code: Build Investor Relationships Before You Need Funding Most founders know they need to nurture relationships with angel investors before fundraising. But keeping those connections alive can be tricky. One powerful solution? Monthly, value packed newsletters that resonate with investors — not just updates. Why? Because investors (like most successful people) love learning. To distinguish them apart, focus on: ✔️ Sharing exclusive insights—unique market trends or data they can’t find elsewhere. Bonus: make it dinner-party-worthy! 🎉 Celebrating milestones with meaning—tell the story behind your wins to create real human connections. 💡 Showcasing your perspective—share bold takes on industry trends and your place in the market to establish credibility and position yourself as a future market leader Done right, you’ll become far more than just another name in their inbox, you’ll become the founder they’re eager to back What strategies have helped you maintain relationships with investors? Let’s discuss below! 👇 #Startups #AngelInvestors #FundraisingTips #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #InvestorRelations #FounderTips #StartupGrowth #Networking

Feeling overwhelmed by investor reporting as a first-time founder? Many founders find it daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s four reasons why investor reporting matter 👇 1️⃣ Build trust: Regular updates help your investors feel confident in your vision. 2️⃣ Track progress: It’s your reality check and your roadmap all in one. 3️⃣ Plan strategically: Use your data to make smart decisions and pivot before any major hiccups. 4️⃣ Secure future funding: Organised, transparent reporting makes you more appealing to future investors. At Connectd, we’ve got the tools and expert help to make reporting way less stressful. We’ll guide you step by step so you can focus on growing your business. Ready to take your startup to the next level? Book a call with me here: https://lnkd.in/efZvR4jX #Entrepreneurs #Founders #Startup #Investor

Just had the phenomenal opportunity to listen to Lise Birikundavyi, CFA, Neha Khera, Leah Nguyen, and Michelle Scarborough discuss how unrepresented groups can build a company in today’s climate despite being disadvantaged. 🙌 As an aspiring entrepreneur, here are my key takeaways about working with investors in the development of a company: 1. Seek Alignment and Evaluate Expertise ⭐️ Despite the possible scarcity of funds, don’t jump at the first chance of investment if there isn’t a good fit. Look beyond capital and consider the expertise and strategic value an investor can bring to the table. Ensuring strong alignment between your company's vision and the investor's values, goals is often more beneficial in the long run than the funds themselves. 2. Prioritize Mutual Success 🤝 Choose investors who are genuinely invested in your success, not just their own returns. A supportive investor will be more valuable in your entrepreneurial journey. Work with investors you trust. Look for transparency, demonstrated expertise, and proven competency in their previous investments. 3. Understand Investor Criteria 🧠 When approaching investors, be aware of what they’re looking for: A) Resiliency: Demonstrate your ability to persevere through challenges. B) Scalability: Showcase a business model that can expand significantly by presenting a compelling long-term vision for your company. C) Problem-Solving: Highlight your understanding of the problem you’re solving and the impact your solution can have. Thank you such an educational and supportive event BDC Capital (Canada) ! #Startupfest #Tech #Startup #Montreal #Entrepreneurship

Darling Downs Angel Investors | June Meeting Join us on Tuesday, 18 June for the next Darling Downs Angel Investors Meeting. Darling Downs Angel Investors are a group of like-minded business people and investors, keen to engage with leading innovators, entrepreneurs, and founders of high-growth companies. The investments aim to return 10x-100x returns over 5-10 years through shareholdings in the startup companies that may disrupt or create new markets. There is no obligation to invest and there are plenty of ways you could engage with the group. Get in touch with Chris Black if you’d like to know more - chris@purpa.au. EVENT DETAILS: 🗓 When: Tuesday, 18 June 2024   📍 Where: The Atrium, Fitzy's Toowoomba   ⏰ Time: 12 - 2 pm   🎟 Tickets: $49 Secure your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gypkXcbV  #DarlingDownsAngelInvestors #AngelInvesting #StartupInvesting #BusinessNetworking #Innovators

Are power struggles inevitable in the startup world? 🤔 Navigating the tumultuous waters of entrepreneurship can be thrilling, but it often comes with its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to managing relationships with investors and business partners. In his thought-provoking guest commentary, Roman Axelrod, founder of XPANCEO, dives deep into the dynamics of power and trust within these critical connections. When founders face a power struggle, how they respond can make or break their journey. Balancing authority while ensuring trust is essential for a healthy partnership ecosystem. Axelrod emphasizes that preparation is key; understanding potential risks and being ready to communicate openly can significantly alter outcomes. Moreover, he highlights that fostering a culture of shared success—rooted in collaboration rather than competition—is crucial for long-term sustainability. The essence lies in establishing clear boundaries and ownership from the start. Creating transparent processes not only builds trust but also empowers others by making them part of the decision-making process. Remember: it's not just about controlling every aspect; it’s about leading effectively while allowing space for input from valued partners. As startups grow and evolve, so do their relationships with investors—this dynamic interplay requires constant nurturing. Maintaining open lines of communication fosters an environment where all parties feel valued and heard, ultimately leading to enhanced synergy in achieving collective goals. Curious to learn more about balancing power dynamics without losing sight of trust? Axelrod’s insights could very well equip you some much-needed battle-tested strategies! Don't let your startup's potential fizzle out amid conflicts—find ways today to turn these challenges into growth opportunities! Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation 🚀 Book a meeting! https://lnkd.in/dFYwmbHq #StartupLife #BusinessPartners #InvestorRelations #FounderTips #LeadershipDevelopment #TrustBuilding #CorporateInnovation #PowerDynamics #GrowthMindset #Entrepreneurship Read more on this insightful piece here: https://lnkd.in/dd8wnS9G

Darling Downs Angel Investors | August Meeting Join us on Tuesday, 27 August for the next Darling Downs Angel Investors Meeting. EVENT DETAILS: 🗓 When: Tuesday, 27 August 2024 📍 Where: The Atrium, Fitzy's Toowoomba ⏰ Time: 12 - 2 pm 🎟 Tickets: $59 Secure your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gvJTt94H  Darling Downs Angel Investors are a group of like-minded business people and investors keen to engage with leading innovators, entrepreneurs, and founders of high-growth companies. The investments aim to return 10x-100x returns over 5-10 years through shareholdings in the startup companies that may disrupt or create new markets. There is no obligation to invest, and there are plenty of ways you could engage with the group. Get in touch with Chris Black if you’d like to know more - chris@purpa.au #DarlingDownsAngelInvestors #AngelInvesting #StartupInvesting #BusinessNetworking #Innovators #Investing #ToowoombaBusiness

Ways to Overcome Fundraising Challenges for Startups! Obtaining capital can be a major hurdle for entrepreneurs, but with a deliberate approach, it becomes manageable. Here's how to navigate fundraising challenges like a pro: 1️⃣ Develop a Strong Business Plan: Investors want to see a solid strategy. Outline your vision, target market, business model, and financials. This shows you're prepared and serious. 2️⃣ Showcase Your Vision: Investors fund more than just numbers—they invest in your passion and impact. Communicate clearly how your startup solves a problem and its potential to scale. 3️⃣ Craft the Perfect Pitch: Nail your pitch by highlighting the problem you're solving, your solution, market opportunity, traction, and financial projections. Practice until it’s smooth and compelling. 4️⃣ Participate in Pitching Events: Attend events where you can present your startup to investors. These boost visibility and offer feedback to refine your proposal. 5️⃣ Network Actively: Build relationships with investors through industry events and platforms like LinkedIn. A warm introduction can be key to opening doors.   💡 Pro Tip: Stay persistent and adaptable. Fundraising is a journey, but with preparation, your startup can turn challenges into growth opportunities!   #StartupSuccess #FundraisingTips #Entrepreneurship #InvestorPitch #BusinessPlan #StartupJourney #Networking