Business projects where an investor is required. Where to find and how to get investments for a business, project or startup? Bank as an investor

Good afternoon, dear readers of the financial magazine “site”! Continuing the topic of investing, we will consider the issues of finding investments for a business, namely where and how to find an investor to start a business from scratch, what to do to get him to agree to finance a business project, and so on.

In this article we will cover:

• Why investors are needed and how to properly attract them to start a business;
• What steps should you take to find an investor from scratch;
• What rules should be followed when searching for an investor;
• Who can you turn to for help in finding investors?

You will also find answers to frequently asked questions at the end of the post.

The article will be useful to absolutely everyone: as aspiring businessmen, and for those who already have some experience in developing your own business. The article will also appeal to those interested in the theory of finance and investment.

To find useful information about attracting investors, read our article to the end.

Where and how to find an investor to start a business, what to look for when looking for investors for a small business from scratch - you will learn about all this and more later in the article

Regardless of the type of activity, a business needs cash. If you don't raise capital, even the best project develops will not . This threatens that the business will die at the planning stage.

It should be understood that for the successful development of entrepreneurship it is important not to miss the moment. Therefore, businessmen, as a rule, do not have the opportunity to save money. There is a great risk that while it is possible to collect the required amount, the moment will be missed, and the proposed market will be attacked by faster and more enterprising competitors.

At the same time, novice businessmen should not be embarrassed by the fact that their capital is insufficient. Even successful large companies, when they just started their activities, used borrowed funds.

Young companies with prospects for successful development most often feel a lack of funds. At the same time, they have a huge number of ideas that require implementation." Here and now ».

To date Finding investors has become much easier: created for this purpose a huge number of funds and companies who agree to transfer their funds to start-up businessmen.

But it should be understood that not everyone can receive funds from the funds. First of all, a businessman will need to convince investors to invest in his project. To do this, you will need not only to draw up a business plan, but also to prove that a particular business project is more interesting than that of competitors and also has better prospects.

Most professional investors have extensive investment experience. Therefore, they easily determine those projects in which it is best to invest in order to obtain maximum profit.

Businessmen must remember that how funds, so private investors do not give money to charity. They expect from the projects they invest in maximum and fastest return.

Thus, any sources of investment funds, be it banks, funds or other companies do not issue funds without the necessary confirmation. You can, of course, try to get a grant. However, the companies that issue them approach the selection of applicants even more strictly.

What to look for when attracting investors

2. How to attract investors - necessary conditions 📋

The goal of any investor is to increase the funds he has. Most of them know that income on bank deposits barely covers the rate of inflation. Therefore, such investments investors completely not satisfied .

Investors are striving for a level of income that will not only offset price increases, but also ensure a comfortable life.

All this explains why those who have significant amounts of money are looking for such companies in order to invest in them funds that will be able to provide them with sufficient income.

Beginning businessmen, when starting to search for a potential investor, should perceive him not as a creditor, but as a partner. It turns out that the businessman invests an idea into the project, and the investor invests his own money. Therefore, such a deal should be beneficial for both parties.

Most professionals agree that search for investors– the task is not that difficult. The main thing here is to be smart present your idea. You will also need to convince the owner of the funds that investing in the project will be quite promising and will bring significant income.

When telling an investor about a project, you should cover the following topics as fully as possible:

• uniqueness and demand for the product/service offered for production;
• the size of the required investments;
• in what timeframe it is planned to recoup the investment;
• expected level of profit;
• What is the return on investment guarantee?

If a businessman correctly characterizes each of these issues, the chances of convincing the investor that the project can really bring good profits are will increase significantly. As a result, the investor will decide to allocate funds for it.

3. How to find an investor from scratch - a step-by-step guide to finding an investor for a business 📝

When looking for an investor, it is important to act consistently in accordance with the recommendations developed by professionals. Thus You will be able to achieve success in finding investors faster.

In the process of searching for investment sources, it is important to take into account the interests of the owner of the funds. It is important to understand that investors are guided by their own commercial interests when making investments.

Potential investors not interested , how innovative the activity will be, and whether it will bring profit to the business owner. They are concerned about the increase, as well as the safety of their capital.

For some investors not important business ideas, as they are looking for passive income, tired of actively developing a business. They have already managed to earn initial capital by working hard. Now the only desire of such investors is for the available funds to make a profit, and at the same time they would not have to do anything.

At the same time, they are looking for investment options that will bring greater income than traditional investments - , mutual funds and similar financial instruments.

Step-by-step instructions on where and how to look for an investor to start a business

Therefore, when looking for an investor, it is important to convince him that they can get such an income. It is of great importance to follow the step-by-step instructions, which we will describe below. This will help increase the chances of quickly and efficiently finding the necessary funds.

Step #1. Drawing up a business plan

First of all, when choosing an investment property, investors pay attention to the business plan. It must be properly executed, otherwise the likelihood of receiving funds may disappear.

A properly drawn up business plan must contain the following information:

• project description;
• calculation of the required amount of money;
• analysis of the commercial benefits that the investor will receive;
• the payback period of the project, that is, after what period of time the first income will be received;
• what are the prospects for further development of the organization.

Everything should inspire confidence– from the quality of the paper on which the document is printed and the folder in which it is placed, to the use of professional graphic editors when preparing the necessary diagrams.

We wrote in more detail in a separate publication.

Step #2. Choosing a suitable form of cooperation

Cooperation between a business owner and an investor can take various forms. It is important to analyze in advance which of them may be most effective for a company seeking funds.

Investors agree to provide funds, receiving income in the following ways:

1. as a percentage of the invested amount;
2. as a percentage of profit during the entire duration of the project;
3. as a share in the business.

The business owner, having decided which option is more acceptable to him, must indicate it in the business plan. However, it is often difficult for a new businessman to find the necessary funds.

Therefore, if a potential investor categorically disagrees with the chosen model, wanting to use another option for cooperation, it should be assessed. Often It’s better to agree to the investor’s terms than being left without money.

Step #3. Enlist the help of experienced businessmen

Aspiring entrepreneurs can be sure: no one will understand them better than experienced businessmen who have been working successfully in the same field for a long time. Many of them willingly advise newcomers on how to proceed. This is especially true in cases where when mutually beneficial cooperation is possible between them in the future.

Often, experienced businessmen take newcomers under their wing: they can invest money in their ideas or recommend the project for investment to other investors. Even if this does not happen, it is quite possible that professionals will give advice and recommendations that will help in the future.

Step #4. Negotiation

Often a positive decision from investors to invest in a project determined by competent negotiations . Even those who easily get along with people should carefully prepare for the meeting.

It will be necessary not only to convince a potential investor of the prospects of the project, but also to answer all the questions he has. Therefore, it is advisable to think in advance about what a businessman might be asked and prepare reasonable answers.

From the first meeting, investors usually expect a competent presentation of the project, as well as a business plan.

It would be useful for a businessman to invite a specialist who participated in the development of the project to negotiations. It is quite possible that he will explain all the nuances of the project much more competently, as well as answer any questions that arise.

Step #5. Conclusion of an agreement

The final stage of negotiations, if an agreement is reached, is signing a cooperation or investment agreement. It is important to carefully study absolutely all the terms of the drawn up contract; it would be useful to involve a professional lawyer in this process.

It is important to ensure that the agreement stipulates:

• duration of cooperation;
• investment amount;
• rights, as well as obligations that are assigned to the parties.

In accordance with the agreement, funds are transferred to the businessman under certain conditions. Their essence is that money must be invested specifically in the implementation of the project .

It is important for the investor that the signed agreement excludes the possibility of using funds beyond the intended purpose, even part of the invested money should not go to needs not related to the implementation of the project.

Conclusion of an investment agreement - sample

An example of an investment agreement can be downloaded from the link below:

(example, sample)

Thus, it is important to maintain a certain consistency in attracting investor funds. A businessman should follow the step-by-step instructions described above. Then raising funds will be as effective as possible.

The main ways and where you can find investors

4. Where to find an investor - 6 options for attracting investment 🔎💸

We have already written about how important it is to draw up a competent business plan at the first stage of searching for an investor. However, not all businessmen know where to next look for someone who will agree to provide funds for the implementation of their project.

However, there are several options, and each of them deserves close attention from a businessman.

Option 1. Close people

Finding investors to finance a business – not an easy task. Therefore, it is advisable to involve as many relatives and friends as possible in this process. This option is ideal for those who are just starting their own business and have neither experience nor popularity. Moreover, loans from relatives and friends are less risky.

If the project does not require large initial investments, it can be offered to be financed by close people for a small percentage, which will be paid when the business becomes profitable.

Option 2. Businessmen

In all cities (especially large ones) there are a large number of businessmen who have already earned capital. Now they want to receive passive income by investing money in some profitable business.

It makes sense to turn to such businessmen to receive funds to develop their own business.

Most often, merchants issue money according to one of 2 (two) schemes:

• in the form of a loan with payment of interest;
• as a share in a new business project.

It should be understood that the second method leads to a significant restriction of the freedom of decision-making of a novice businessman. Therefore, you should think several times before choosing this option.

Option 3. Funds

Another way to find investors for a business is special funds - investment And assistance to small businesses. However, obtaining funds from such companies can be difficult.

You will have to prove that the new business project is viable enough. It should also be taken into account that a newcomer to the field of entrepreneurship must have his own funds, which he wants to invest in the project along with those attracted. Therefore, funds are more suitable for those who already have an existing business.

So that the decision to invest funds is positive , you will need to analyze the current activities of the company, as well as formulate a plan for its further development.

Those looking for an investor should also study the activities of government funds. They often provide funds to the most promising business projects, organizing competitions for this purpose.

Option 4. Venture investment

This option is quite widespread in some developed countries. If you want to attract money to a business with the help of venture investment, you should keep in mind that such funds invest only in risky projects with great prospects.

In this case, business projects are most often financed innovation sphere , Sciences , and IT technologies .

Less often, but still, venture funds are invested in trade, as well as the service sector.

We wrote in detail about venture investments, in particular what they exist and what they do, in a separate article.

When investing in a business, venture funds want to receive regular income. For this purpose, they take over a share of the business. Moreover, they own part of the company for only a few years, after which they sell it to third parties.

Option 5. Business incubators

A business incubator is a special platform created for the purpose of implementing various business projects. To receive investment funds through an incubator, it is important to draw up a competent business plan.

In addition, you will need to win a competition or successfully pass a special interview.

Option 6. Banks

If you can’t find an investor, you can try to apply for a bank account. However, getting a large enough amount is often difficult. Therefore, this method of searching for an investor is suitable when when you need a small investment.

Credit institutions demand enough from potential borrowers high requirements. To receive money, you may need to provide property as collateral, guarantors, and collect a large list of various documents.

If a loan applicant cannot fulfill at least one requirement of the credit institution, he will not be able to receive a loan.

Thus, searching for an investor for business– it’s not an easy and rather lengthy matter. Therefore, a businessman will need a lot of patience. It is important to evaluate all possible options and analyze emerging risks. Then you can be sure that your search will be crowned with success.

There is an article on our website in which we talked about where and how to properly draw up a promissory note - we recommend reading it.

Basic rules for finding investors and their investments

5. 5 important rules for finding investors 📌

Every day a huge number of different business projects appear that require investment of funds. The owner of an idea does not always have the necessary capital. However, most ideas require quick start and development. In this regard, huge a number of businessmen are looking for an investor to implement the project.

Often this process is delayed, and often completely ends in failure. To increase your chances of success, it is important to follow 5 (five) basic rules. They allow businessmen to be more confident in finding an investor, as well as approach the selection process wisely.

Rule #1. The search should begin as early as possible

Every businessman must understand that searching for an investor is a long process. A lot of time passes from the moment they start until the funds are received.

That's why start You should look for an investor as early as possible. Ideally, this should be done when future activities have been planned, and it has also become clear how best to present the benefits of the project to potential investors.

It's important to understand that the risk of the investor is higher than that of the project owner. It is the one who invests money in business who risks his capital, loss of time and reputation.

Therefore, he has the right to suspend investment of funds or even negotiations if he decides that the risk level is too high for him.

Moreover, investors usually carefully study the company in which they plan to invest money. They analyze the history of the company, its successes and failures, and prospects for further development. All this leads to the fact that it is better to start looking for an investor in the early stages.

Own funds invested in a business usually run out very quickly. As a result, a sharp rise at the beginning of the project may give way to a fall even before the start of investment receipts, and this situation may alienate most investors.

Rule #2. It is important to collect as much information as possible about a potential investor

When looking for an investor, it is not the best decision to cooperate with the first one who offers his capital. It is necessary to collect as much information as possible about the prospective investor.

In this case, you should find out:

• what areas does it usually invest in;
• possible volumes of invested funds;
• investor preferences regarding the method and principles of cooperation.

All collected data should be compared with the desires of the businessman himself. You should cooperate with the best investor. This means the most optimal, not the largest and most popular.

It's important to understand that any interaction with an investor should take place in the form of mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the same time, both the businessman and the investor themselves must imagine what stage of interaction they are at, as well as what will happen next.

A good investor, if he knows why, will provide significant assistance in the development of the project. A bad one will ruin even a great idea.

When assessing the investment amount, worth understanding, which, if necessary, 50-100 thousand dollars there is no point in turning to someone who traditionally invests millions. The same can be said in the opposite case: there is no point in going for big investments to someone who simply doesn’t have them.

A large amount of collected information can make it easier for a businessman to participate in the negotiation process with an investor. You can think through a rough plan of negotiations in advance, and also decide what questions you can ask the investor.

Moreover, if there is sufficient information can be predicted, what questions the owner of the funds will ask the businessman, and decide how to answer them. Information about an investor's previous investments can be very helpful during negotiations.

Even before meeting with an investor, a businessman must decide how he will behave during the negotiation process. The investor must believe that a businessman needs not just money, but mutually beneficial cooperation.

If high-quality contact is established between the parties, you can be sure that the interaction will be beneficial for both parties.

There are many examples in history that with good relationships between businessman and investor even if there were errors and small failures, they were still provided. Ultimately, success was achieved in the activity.

Rule #3. The amount of investment must be carefully planned

A businessman must remember that the investment amount must be indicated specifically in numbers, not a range. An investor will almost certainly refuse to invest if he is asked for an amount from 100 to 200 thousand dollars.

In this case, the owner of the funds may have a huge number of questions, which will almost certainly lead the negotiations to a dead end.

A businessman must tell the investor a specific amount , which should be reasonable. The size of the investment must take into account all possible scenarios that could cause the range to arise.

Rule #4. Focus on goals

When developing company development goals for which you need to raise funds, do not use them too much globalize.

Ideas that are too large, as well as the desire to cover a large number of issues, usually cause investors to doubt that it is possible to successfully implement them.

Therefore, the goals that a businessman sets should be as specific as possible . They must be limited by capabilities as well as needs. A businessman’s goals should be specified even before he finds an investor.

Even in cases where in the future it is planned to develop the project to a global scale, you should not immediately describe this idea globally. Such interpretations usually repel investors.

Those who have experience in investing, as well as developing business projects, agree with the opinion that with globalization, forces and resources are dispersed, but proper efficiency is not achieved.

Therefore, an investor should be sought under solving specific problems And business issues.

Rule #5. You should be as honest and open as possible

In the process of negotiating, and subsequently when drawing up reports, a businessman should not lie And keep back.

In the process of conducting business, it is quite normal to deviate from the original plan, but such facts cannot be hidden from the investor . He has the right to be aware of the current situation.

At the same time, it is important to explain to the investor the reasons for the deviation from the plan, what this may lead to, and how it is planned to proceed further.

Compliance with all the above rules increases the chances that a good investor will be found. And this is precisely the key to a successful start of any activity.

6. Providing professional assistance in finding investors 📎

Those who are unable to find an investor for their business on their own can turn to professional help.

There are special platforms on the Internet that help not only those who want to invest, but also those who are looking for capital to develop their activities.

The most famous Russian-language sites are 2 (two) sites:

1) EASTWESTGROUP

The resource's specialization is search for investments for investments both in operating and mothballed businesses. To use the services, just register and then contact those who provide the funds. The resource allows you to save not only time, but also energy.

Company specialists conduct business analysis, after which its strengths are determined. This is done absolutely free and helps attract investors. The resource has been investing for more than ten years.

By registering on the site, a businessman gets in touch with several dozen investors at once. This significantly increases the chances of receiving funds. The cost of the investor search service is calculated individually for each user. However, you do not need to pay anything until you receive the funds.

Using the site's services is very simple. Just go through a few steps:

• submit your application;
• get a free consultation from a company employee;
• sign an agreement with the company on the provision of intermediary services;
• the resource itself conducts negotiations with the investor;
• businessman enters into a mutually beneficial deal with an investor.

2) Start2Up

This resource is a kind of bulletin board on which they post investor proposals, entrepreneurs, startupers looking for business partners.

Thanks to the site, those who have funds can find where to invest them. At the same time, budding businessmen have the opportunity to enter into an agreement with investors who are ready to support their project.

All advertisements posted on the site are divided into groups depending on the region, as well as the field of activity.

The most popular business areas here are:

• Internet;
• IT technologies;
• education;
• art as well as culture;
• the science;
• real estate.

There are also other promising areas of activity.

The site's users include hundreds of businessmen and investors. These are people not only from Russia, but also from Belarus, as well as a number of European countries. Therefore, the chances of those who register on the site to find an investor increase significantly.

The site contains several hundred offers buy out a startup, invest funds in different areas of business, and improve existing production facilities.

In addition, with the help of the project it is possible to purchase or sell the property of ready-made companies. You can follow the news of the portal using the Facebook group.

Thus, those who find it difficult to find an investor for their project can turn to popular Internet resources for help.

Don’t forget about the site’s crowdfunding as well. Thanks to (a type of crowdfunding), it is also possible to attract capital from interested platform participants for a share in a startup.

7. Answers to frequently asked questions 📑

The topic of finding investors is quite complex. Therefore, businessmen have a huge number of questions in this regard. The publication would not be complete if we did not answer the most frequently encountered questions.

Question 1. Where can I get money for my business?

Finding money to grow a business can be a daunting task for any aspiring entrepreneur. This especially concerns the formation and further startup development. Develop any business project without raising funds practically impossible. We wrote about what stages it should go through, how to attract money, etc., in a separate article.

Every aspiring entrepreneur is looking for his own options for finding an investor. That’s why it’s so important to reconsider how you can find funds.

Method 1. Accumulate

This option is the simplest. Having accumulated money, the entrepreneur will not become financially dependent on other people; he will be able to run the business completely independently, without reporting to anyone and without giving away part of the profit to anyone.

At the same time, to save money, you only need great desire, as well as financial self-discipline. It is enough to optimize your own expenses to start saving money. With due diligence, already for 6 -12 months you can raise a significant amount of money.

This option is suitable for those who know how to save. If you manage to save for a major purchase or vacation, this method of finding funds will probably suit you. Moreover, this option helps you learn an optimal attitude towards money, which will definitely come in handy in the future when implementing a business project.

Method 2. Take out a loan

Those businessmen who have a good understanding of the rules of financial discipline may well take out a bank loan for the development of activities.

The danger of this method is that at the very beginning of business, companies almost always operate on the brink of loss. Therefore, there is a high probability that there will simply be nothing to pay off the loan.

This method is suitable only for those who are confident that the business will become profitable even before the loan payments begin. It is worth understanding that credit institutions startups rarely invest. Much more often they issue loans for the development of an existing business. However, the decision is always made individually.

A businessman should definitely take into account that interest in most cases is at least 15%. In addition, it is important to contact banks with a good reputation.

To simplify the task for businessmen, the table shows the best banks for small and medium-sized businesses.

Method 3. Government subsidies

The state is trying actively support small businesses. Any aspiring entrepreneur can take part in competitions for subsidies.

If you wish, you can contact the Employment Center to receive a self-employment grant. The amount for this program varies by region, but on average it is 90-100 thousand rubles.

In addition, so-called incubators have been created in the country (most often on the basis of the largest higher educational institutions that teach the subject of “economics”).

Such structures are financed from the budget. The goal of such organizations is to create favorable conditions for business development.

Method 4. Close people

This option can be considered a last resort, since doing business with relatives and friends can be very difficult. Nobody likes to just give away their money, so even close people should be interested. You can offer them a share in the business.

There are also advantages to this method of raising funds. Firstly, it is easier to agree with loved ones on the timing of the return of money. Secondly, receiving funds is much faster, since you do not need to collect a large number of documents and also wait for a decision from third parties.

Method 5. Private investors

In some cases, there are simply no other options other than borrowing money from private investors. You can get funds from private investors quite easily quickly and without unnecessary problems.

Most large cities have Internet sites that post relevant advertisements. At the same time, to obtain a loan it is enough confirm your identity and write a receipt. Some private investors require mandatory notarization of this document.

Question 2. Where to start looking for an investor for a small business?

There are several basic steps that will help a novice investor navigate the process of finding an investor.

Step 1: Making a plan

A businessman must develop a high-quality business plan, which he will use as a presentation to people who invest money in the business. It is the plan that will help convince the investor that the businessman’s project is capable of generating significant profits.

Important so that the business plan contains not only a description of the company itself, but also a study of its position in the market, as well as further development prospects.

Step 2. Choose an investment scheme

There are several possible options for raising funds. Investors can buy new equipment, by providing a loan at certain interest rates. Others invest, demanding in exchange for a share in the company .

In any case, a businessman should decide in advance which of the schemes is most suitable for him. It would be useful to indicate this in the business plan itself.

Step 3. Help from professionals

Experienced businessmen can provide valuable advice on both raising funds and running a business.

Step 4. Search for online resources on investing

There are sites on the Internet that allow you to present projects to business angels. After posting information about themselves on such resources, businessmen often note an increase in the number of offers from investors.

Question 3. I am looking for an investor to start a business from scratch/into an existing business. What portals/sites and forums should I look on?

Popular Internet resources (websites, forums, portals) for searching for investors

The development of Internet technologies has made it possible to significantly simplify the procedure for finding investors. There are quite a large number of Internet resources that help in this difficult task.

Here are the most popular ones:

1. Starttrack.ru is a popular investor search portal. There is an opportunity to post information about your business project. If it passes approval, the chances of attracting investors will increase significantly.
2. Ventureclub.ru– a resource that allows you to find fairly large investors.
3. Napartner.ru- is a regular bulletin board on which investors post information about themselves.
4. Mypio.ru– here you can place information about your business project. Advertisements on this portal are viewed daily by a large number of investors.
5. Startuppoint.ru– a project with a huge number of proposals from investors. If today there is no suitable option here, it is quite possible to post information about the project for viewing by potential investors.

Question 4. Where to look for an investor for a startup or how to find an investor to implement an idea?

A businessman must remember that the most suitable place to look for an investor is where the maximum number of them gathers. It can be various exhibitions, and presentation events. As part of such events, round tables of money owners are usually organized where you can get to know the future investor. This option is quite simple, however its effectiveness is highly questionable. Such events are held extremely rarely; meeting the right person also happens here not easy.

Another easy option– investing in a new business project by diverting funds from an old, already developed one. Naturally, this method is unacceptable for novice entrepreneurs.

You can find private investors on various Internet resources. You can find a large number of business investment proposals. But don't forget that areas of large accumulation of funds are infested with a huge number of scammers. Often, businessmen are offered to contribute a certain amount of money to start investing under various pretexts.

It is considered a good way to attract investment investment broker assistance. For a small commission, the businessman shifts the worries of finding an investor onto someone else's shoulders. In this case, you will have to pay only upon the issuance of funds.

The help of business angels is often considered effective.. However, today there are too few of them for a large number of applicants. In addition, they often demand a significant share in the business being created.

Incubators do not have the purpose of investing in projects. They are created to provide businesses with optimal conditions for development.

Question 5. How to search for foreign investors? Where to find foreign investors who will give money?

At the moment, there are several ways to find a foreign investor who is interested in your business:

1. Using the intermediary services of public or private commercial structures in searching for investment proposals;
2. By posting information about a project (startup, idea) on specialized sites (investment project databases);
3. Participating in various specialized exhibitions and fairs.

Many different agencies successfully operate in the investment market and provide professional services for finding foreign investors. It is important for potential foreign investors to see the prospects of your business project.

8. Conclusion + video on the topic 🎥

If you have read the publication to the end, rest assured that you have received enough information to attract an investor. It is important to remember that this process is not easy and requires high-quality preparation.

A businessman must remember that even if he finds sufficient funds, there is no guarantee that the project will be successful.

Finding an investor is only the initial stage, a small part of a long and difficult journey.

Having spent money, a businessman must make every effort to achieve the desired return from it.

In conclusion, we suggest watching a video from Stolitsa FM - Where and how to look for business investments?

And also an interesting webinar “How to attract investment in business” from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation

The site magazine team wishes you good luck and success in attracting a good investor and, of course, success in the further development of your business. If you have any comments or questions on the topic, please ask them in the comments below.

Hello, dear readers of the financial magazine “site”! Today we will talk about investing in business, startups and other business projects, where and in what areas of business it is better to invest.

After reading this publication you will learn:

• To do this, you should invest in a business - the main advantages and disadvantages;
• What types and methods of investing in business exist;
• What are the best areas to choose for investing in startups in Russia this year?
• What are the risks of such an investment and how can they be reduced?

At the end of the article you will find answers to frequently asked questions about business investing.

The publication will arouse interest among everyone who is concerned about the problems of investing in business. It will be useful for both beginners and those who already have experience in such investments.

What are the main advantages (+) and disadvantages (-) of investing in a business, what types and methods of investing in business projects exist, what are the risks when investing in startups - read on about this and more

Investments in business can provide a comfortable existence for the investor. Such investments allow you to receive. This is an activity that, if carried out correctly, requires minimal investment of effort, but at the same time provides a stable profit.

Most citizens living in the territory of the former Soviet Union have a misconception about long-term investments that can provide a stable income. They believe that only those who initially own significant capital, certain talents and luck. In addition, our citizens are confident that investing in business is risky, especially in the current crisis situation.

Eventually the majority of our compatriots do not take any steps to increase their well-being. All their lives they only dream of getting big money with minimal effort.

Actually a chance to become financially independent everyone has one. To do this, it is enough to radically change your thinking, switch to the financial area, stop working for others and start working for yourself.

Investing in the development of your own business They allow you not only to receive income that practically does not depend on the time and effort spent on it, but also to gain confidence in the future. Moreover, high-quality investments make it possible to implement even seemingly unrealistic ideas and plans.

Moreover, in the modern world, even those who do not have much capital can start working for themselves. Moreover, economic education at the initial stage Not required, because in the modern world you can find a huge number of areas for business development that are not related to economics.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of investing in business 📑

The investment process is always accompanied by risk. Investments in business in this sense are no exception. As in any other activity, such investments have its advantages and disadvantages.

2.1. Pros (+) of investing in business

Among the main advantages that come from investing financial capital in a business are: the following can be distinguished:

1. The investor gets the opportunity to influence the activities of the organization , as well as on decisions made by management. Sometimes it is the investor who takes control of the company. At the same time, competent management allows you to develop a business and increase its profitability. Ultimately, the level of profitability of invested funds also increases.
2. Investments in business are distinguished by a wide choice of forms and directions for investment. You can invest in companies that produce goods or provide any services - the choice here is really huge.
3. Opportunity to become an investor with a small capital . At the initial stage, it is not necessary to invest huge sums of money. It is enough to purchase a small part of the company. If the investment is successful, you can subsequently buy shares owned by other persons.
4. If investing in a business is viewed as a passive income-generating activity, they are distinguished by simplicity and accessibility b. The investor is not required to have any knowledge.
5. Investing in a business is one of the few types of investments, in which assets have a real form. The result of investment activities can be seen in the company's assets.
6. Investing in entrepreneurship , the investor can choose a company operating in the area that is most interesting and familiar to him.
7. The income from such investments in the long term is unlimited. If business is conducted correctly and the company achieves a leading position, there is every chance of achieving monthly profits at a level significantly exceeding 100%. Over time, the better the company in which the funds are invested in, the higher the investor's income level will be.

2.2. Disadvantages (-) of investing in business

Despite the significant number of advantages of investing in a business, this type of investment also has a number of disadvantages:

1. Investments in business are accompanied by a high risk of losing funds . With the wrong approach to investing, you can lose not only part, but also all of the invested capital.
2. Legal restrictions . Some types of business activities are significantly limited by legislative acts, regulatory and other government bodies. Corruption is quite developed in our country, so this drawback is important to take into account.
3. Unexpected development of events . Entrepreneurial activity does not always move exactly in the direction in which owners and investors plan. There is a risk that unexpected events may occur that will render the investment ineffective.
4. In the case of equity investment in a business, there is a possibility of disagreement. If a conflict occurs between investors and they are unable to reach an agreement, one of them may decide to leave the business and withdraw their funds. This will inevitably affect the profitability of the project.
5. If you use the active investment option, you will need certain knowledge and experience. In this case, the investor will have the opportunity to maximize possible income.
6. The return on business investment is often unstable. Profit over different periods of time can vary greatly, changing under the influence of a huge number of factors. Under absolutely identical initial conditions, different firms can bring different returns to the investor. When investing money in a business, you have to constantly study the market and adapt to it. This is the only way to get the most profit.
7. Additional cash contributions are often required. If you do not invest additional money in a business at a certain point, you can experience a significant reduction in the return on previous investments.
8. Profit will not come immediately. Since investments in startups are long-term, you will receive income only after a fairly long period of time.

Thus, investing money in a business has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to remember them and take them into account during the investment process.

Dividing business investment by characteristics

3. Classification of business investments and their types 📊

Despite the fact that business investments seem quite simple, they are very diverse, each type has its own nuances. Therefore, it is important to classify them.

This can be done based on several criteria:

Sign 1. By right of ownership

According to the right of ownership, investments in one’s own and in someone else’s business are distinguished.

If the investor at the initial stage has sufficient capital, as well as knowledge, experience, and wants to work for himself, he can invest in creating his own business. Many investors consider this option to be the most interesting.

The advantages of this type of investment are:

• the opportunity to realize oneself;
• maximum return on investment.

There are also disadvantages to investing in your own business.

Among them are the following:

• high level of risk, since it can be difficult to predict the development of events when creating a business;
• the need to have certain knowledge and skills;
• not only material investments will be required, but also significant expenditures of time and effort;
• large initial investment.

As for investing in someone else's business, this method is much simpler. In this case, you will not have to personally deal with various organizational issues. After investing money, specialists will take care of the project themselves: implement and promote it.

Sign 2. By volume of investments

Business investments can also be classified by the volume (share) of investments.

In this case, the following are distinguished:

1. Full financing of activities. In this case, the financial burden falls entirely on one investor. Such investment is most often found in the case of developing your own business.
2. Partial funding, which can also be called equity participation. In this case, funds received from investors constitute only part of the capital of the newly formed company.

Sign 3. By investment stage

Investments in business can also be classified according to the moment at which investments are made:

1. Investing in startups is carried out at the very beginning of the creation of an activity. In this case, there is an idea, the development of which is planned to be carried out using funds raised from investors.
2. Investments in existing projects. Often, to develop a business, additional funds are required, which are raised from investors. In this case, the company already exists, is engaged in a certain type of activity, has its own clients, and brings in a certain profit.

Sign 4. According to the form of profit received

Based on this feature, one can distinguish active And passive income. In the first case, the investor usually also serves as the head of the company. With passive income, coordination of activities is placed on the shoulder of the hired manager.

Sign 5. By appearance

Based on type characteristics, business investments can be straight And portfolio.

• Direct investment is the investment of funds in the assets of a specific company.
• With portfolio investments, the investor's capital is distributed among the shares of several organizations. In this case, the totality of acquired shares of various companies is called a portfolio.

For ease of understanding, the main classifications are summarized in the table:

Thus, there are a huge number of types of investments, which are distinguished according to different criteria.

Popular ways to invest (enter) into business projects

4. 7 main ways to invest money in business 💰

Many people believe that they can only invest in their own business. However, there are a huge number of options for such investments, differing in the degree of investor participation, the required amount and other parameters.

Below are 7 main ways to invest in a business:

Method 1. Own business

This method is usually first thought of by those who hear the concept investing in business.

Using this investment option, you will need to invest not only money in the activity, but also your own energy and time. That is, this method of investing is active income.

The return on investment does not begin immediately. But there is a significant advantage for the investor - all profits will belong to him undividedly.

Many people dream of owning their own business. But it should be understood that not everyone is able to lead and develop it. Here you will need to invest soul, experience and knowledge, learn a lot.

Method 2. Equity participation in business

This option for investing and creating a business is one of the most popular. Most companies, occupying leading positions in the world, appeared precisely thanks to this method.

The popularity of this method of investing is largely due to the fact that not everyone who has money can run a business on their own.

It often turns out exactly like this: one partner contributes almost all the necessary money, the other manages the company.

Usually the degree of influence as well as profit shared between partners in accordance with the shares in the business owned by them. To avoid any disagreements in the future, it is advisable to stipulate all the terms of interaction immediately and record them in the share participation agreement.

Method 3. Investing in startups

In this case, investments are made in new projects. Most often, at the investment stage there is only an idea. Moreover, the one who developed it does not have the money to implement it.

A huge disadvantage of funds is too much dependence on stock market disasters. In this case, even significant diversification of assets will not help. Also, you can earn income by purchasing shares only during market growth.

The advantage of such investments is passivity. The investor does not need to do anything; the mutual fund managers work for him. Moreover, there are no commissions. All profits and losses are made up of the difference in the price of the share.

Method 7. Hedge funds

In the CIS countries, such a tool is still poorly distributed. In essence, they are similar to mutual funds, but profits can be obtained by speculating in securities, as well as in the form of coupons and dividends. Therefore, they may well generate income during periods of market decline.

Only large investors can participate in this method of investing. Entry into hedge funds begins from 100 (one hundred) thousand dollars.

Thus, there are 7 main ways to invest in a business. However, if you look at it more broadly, absolutely all investments sooner or later end up in business.

Current directions for investing in startups in 2019 in Russia, where you can invest money profitably

5. Investments in startups - TOP 13 best directions of 2019 in Russia where you can invest money 💎

The startup market in Russia is becoming increasingly popular, and the volume of investment in it is growing every year. Therefore, everyone who decided invest your money in business, it is important to know which areas of a startup are considered the most in demand.

Areas for investment are gradually expanding. However, over a long period of time, leaders remain unchanged. These include IT projects (), as well as small businesses, including those run using franchises (We wrote in more detail in a separate publication).

The energy sector is slightly behind the increase in investment. Oil prices are unstable, people are paying more and more attention to the environment. Therefore, in the field of energy, the most popular among investors are projects related to the creation alternative environmental energy sources.

Let’s figure out which areas of investment in startups are most popular at the moment. Experts believe that they are the ones will maintain leading positions in the next 5 years.

1) 8 areas in IT

The IT field is represented by a fairly large number of different areas.

Direction 1. Robotics

Inventors and investors spend enormous amounts of time and money to achieve complete control over processes using remote control, for example in industry.

Another popular area of ​​robotics is social. In this sense, robotics is designed to help people with disabilities, as well as to carry out a rehabilitation program for them.

Direction 2. Programs for 3D printers

In recent years, the 3D printer has become a breakthrough in the industry. That is why at the moment it is of great relevance to create programs that will ensure the most effective use of these technologies.

Direction 3. Health gadgets

This refers to applications that can be installed on mobile devices and turn them into a personal doctor or trainer, as well as a nutritionist. Today, investments in such projects are among the most popular on crowdfunding platforms.

We wrote about crowdinvesting, crowdfunding platforms, and so on in a separate article.

Experts say that in the future such projects will become increasingly popular. Not a single person can do without applications developed with their help.

Direction 4. Cloud data storage

Professionals say that in the coming years there will be continued investor interest in cloud technologies, as well as in the ability to store huge amounts of necessary information. What is now in first place is not so much convenience and an intuitive interface, but rather the security of downloaded data.

Experts believe that whoever can develop the best program for information secrecy will easily conquer the market for such technologies.

Direction 5. Big Data

Projects related to the creation of programs designed to store and work with huge amounts of information continue to remain popular.

The main consumers of such products have been and remain retailers.

Direction 6. Distance learning

This area of ​​investment is considered one of the most promising. Programs that allow you to receive distance education are gaining immense popularity today.

The demand for such services is at a very high level, so the development of such programs will continue in the near future, which means it will be profitable to invest in such projects.

Direction 7. Children's applications for development

Every child in the modern world has a mobile device. At the same time, there are very few truly interesting programs that allow you to teach them in game mode. Similar projects are of great interest among investors.

Direction 8. Mobile consultations

Applications that make everyone's life easier, help them effectively manage cash flow, time, education and other vital issues. Today, such programs are very popular.

At the same time, there are a huge number of such applications on the market. Therefore, any startup will have to try hard to find a truly unique product.

However, there are options; you can create programs that will be as localized as possible, for example, suitable for residents of a certain city or metropolitan area.

Directions for investing in small businesses

2) 5 directions in small business

The most popular startups are found not only in the IT sector, but also in small businesses. The most relevant ones are discussed below.

Direction 1. Recycling

Environmental trends are permeating every area of ​​life. Therefore, issues related to the processing of all kinds of waste are the most pressing for many people today.

For such startups, finding money is not difficult. The necessary equipment and machinery can be obtained either on credit or on lease. we wrote in our previous material. Plus, such programs attract interests not only private investors, but also different government agencies.

Direction 2. Computer training

All kinds of programs that allow people to learn how to program, create websites and animation, as well as edit videos and work with photographs are very promising activities.

Direction 3. Outsourcing

Any aspiring entrepreneur understands the importance of companies providing outsourcing services. Such companies allow you to save a significant amount of money and at the same time receive quality service.

This is why many experts believe that outsourcing – this is the direction of the future.

Direction 4. Content translators

In marketing today, the information provided is of great importance. A huge amount of content is taken from various foreign sites.

Therefore, startupers believe that content translation companies are one of the promising areas of development.

Such activities will definitely be in quite high demand in the field of Internet marketing.

Direction 5. Project testing

Such a service allows you to check its effectiveness even before releasing the project to the masses. Such an analysis makes it possible to release to the market only those products that are competitive. As a result, already at the start of the project, novice entrepreneurs can save a significant amount of invested funds.

Thus, there are several promising areas for investing in startups. Any investor should be guided by his knowledge and preferences; it is advisable to have an idea of ​​the areas that are planned to be financed.

Main ways to invest in startup projects

6. Investments in business projects - 5 main ways to invest in startups 📝

When deciding to invest money in startups, an investor must decide how he will do it.

There are several ways to invest in startups:

Method 1. Through crowdinvesting platforms

This method is ideal for beginners. Through such platforms, you can distribute capital between several projects by investing a small amount in each of them. This option will help a novice investor gain initial knowledge and experience.

There are several ways to make a profit from such investments:

• in the form of royalties, which means interest on profits;
• with so-called public lending, after a certain period of time, the investor returns the invested funds along with interest;
• When using equity crowdinvesting, the investor receives a share in the organization.

Investors using this method should understand that it is quite risky. There is a chance that the project will never be implemented.

In addition, Russian legislation does not define a clear attitude towards such investment. Any guarantees are provided only when purchasing company shares.

Method 2. Business angels

With this option, you need to make regular deposits to receive a share or discount on the purchase of shares when the next stage comes. Traditionally, this means an amount in the range from 50 (fifty) to 300 (three hundred) thousand dollars .

Often, support is provided to startups that do not have a budget for a product prototype. As a result, investment risks increase significantly.

Therefore, angels with significant experience, in order to diversify risks, invest in several projects at the same time.

To invest in the considered way Business knowledge required, in which funds are invested. This will allow you to make a competent assessment of the submitted projects.

Method 3. Investor clubs

In this case, the investor transfers funds to the club, which, at his request, searches for a project. For this, the club charges a commission from the investor. The investor significantly saves personal time and at the same time he can control the entire process.

This method of investing in startups is suitable for beginners. Thanks to its use, a novice investor has the opportunity to participate in large promising projects with a small capital.

When participating in the club, there is also a risk of losing funds. Most often it is associated with the club’s dishonesty, which increases the number of operations carried out, significantly lowering the requirements for projects to participate.

We wrote about that, as well as what rules to follow when searching for investors, in a separate article.

Method 4. Investing in venture funds

This method is passive investing. The investor only has to pay the commission; all the rest of the work will be done by specialists.

Disadvantage This method of investing is that it is poorly developed. It is difficult to find companies that have achieved success over multiple investment cycles.

Moreover, investors are often placed within strict limits: the minimum investment is usually at the level of 500 thousand dollars.

Method 5. Creating your own venture fund

Investors who have 10 million dollars , as well as the opportunity to maintain a team of professionals and rent an office, can try their hand at creating their own fund. Such companies most often invest only in well-prepared projects. However, most often no more than 30% of which they generate profit.

With this method of investing the risks are the highest. However, if successful, the income will also be the largest.

There are quite a lot of difficulties when creating your own venture fund, primarily due to the poor development of this area in Russia.

Thus, there are several ways to invest in startups. An investor should choose the appropriate one based on experience, amount of capital, and acceptable level of risk.

A step-by-step guide to investing in your business

7. How to start investing in your business - step by step guide 📋

Business development is influenced by a huge number of factors. First of all, psychology, as well as entrepreneurship technology.

Properly organized activities have a direct impact on the successful start and further development of a business. Statistics confirm that about 90% projects becomes unprofitable already in the first 2 (two) years of its existence.

However, the reason is not always due to high competition. Most often associated with the lack of a clear plan, as well as a development concept.

Instructions for novice businessmen will help to minimize risks and also increase the chances of a business becoming profitable.

Step 1. Decide on the area of ​​activity

Professionals say that finding a business area that suits you can be difficult. This is real art.

Don't be afraid to start something unknown. It should be understood that most often specifically for beginners and pioneers get biggest profits.

Moreover, if you find a promising area of ​​business that no one has worked in yet, you can not only earn large sums of money, but also gain fame throughout the world. In this case, age and level of knowledge do not matter.

You can, of course, choose less risky ways. To do this, it is enough to apply existing business schemes. Do not be afraid of those areas of activity in which there is huge competition.

Main so that your project is in steady demand. For example, the existence of a huge number of beauty salons in a metropolis cannot cause losses for another one of them, since this service is in great demand.

The main task in starting any business is to create an offer that will be unique on the market. It must target a specific group of consumers, and it is their needs that must be met better than other companies.

Step 2. Selecting a tax system

Any business involves paying taxes. In Russia, the taxation system provides for the possibility of using a simplified taxation scheme for small business companies. This allows you to reduce the financial burden (About for individual entrepreneurs, read the special article).

However, it should be taken into account that for low-profit companies it is much more profitable to choose the basic deduction scheme, since in this case the tax calculation is based on the profit received.

Step 3. Registration of activities

Anyone starting a business can choose the legal form that suits them. In this case, you should focus on the amount of invested capital, as well as the planned scheme of conducting activities. Most often, representatives of small business companies can choose one of two forms of registration: LLC or individual entrepreneur.

Which option is better should be decided on a case-by-case basis. So, when registering an individual entrepreneurship, the procedure is much simpler. In addition, conducting business as an individual entrepreneur requires a minimum of reporting. For those who are just starting to run a business and have little understanding of accounting, this option is the most preferable. It will take about a week, and the fee is about 1000 rubles.

When the company's turnover increases, it will be necessary to carry out the re-registration procedure. In this case, an LLC is opened, which is already a legal entity, which means it has the appropriate rights. At the same time, the reporting provided becomes significantly more complicated, and responsibility also increases. You will have to pay a fee of about 5,000 rubles.

Step 4. Opening a current account

Any investment activity in a business involves cash flow. Its directions can be different: replenishment of assets, payment of bills, receipt of income. Therefore, an individual entrepreneur or LLC needs to open a bank account.

Some beginning businessmen decide to use an account opened for an individual. However, it is wrong to confuse business money with personal finance.

When opening an account, you just need to choose a suitable bank. Bank employees will help you handle the rest. Some credit institutions offer to open a current account using the Internet (online). At the same time, some banks can deliver ready-made documents to a convenient address.

Step 5. Start of activity

Once the idea has been developed and the previous steps have been completed, you can begin to implement the project. To do this, it is advisable to prepare a detailed business plan. Shouldn't be ignored This stage of creating a business, otherwise there is a high risk of unpredictable developments. for small businesses we wrote in a separate material.

A documented development strategy will help minimize risks. In case of unexpected turns of events or when clashes with competing companies begin, it is the business plan that will help find a way out of a difficult situation.

Once the plan is drawn up, you can proceed directly to running the business. To do this you will need to set up relationships with suppliers, consumers, customers And buyers.

It is important to be prepared for the fact that starting a business is gradual process. Therefore, there is no point in worrying if at the very beginning of the business things do not go uphill. At the beginning of activity it is always difficult. Gradually, experience will come and it will be easier to navigate the business.

Beginning entrepreneurs should not be careless about the instructions provided. Following the steps and keeping them in order helps start a business more efficiently .

What risks can an investor face when investing in a business?

8. Main risks when investing in business and how to reduce them 📛

There are two parties involved in any investment process - investor directly And Business owner.

Investor's goal- choose a business in which investments will help not only not to lose capital, but also to increase it. It turns out that the risk of investing is important for an investor.

The purpose of the company owner somewhat different - to attract money into business and not lose it. It is this type of risk that is important for finding investors.

It turns out that both participants in the investment process have a common goal - to minimize risks.

The most important risks for investors include the following groups:

• organizational;
• legal;
• economic;
• financial.

Risk can be managed if relationships are involved in the business investment process enshrined in the investment agreement. You can find a large number of examples of such agreements on the Internet. However, in reality there are often situations that do not fit into traditional patterns.

Therefore, when investing in a business, it is best to seek help from professional lawyers. This is especially true for direct investment agreements.

In this case, if the investment project fails, the investor will have the opportunity to get back at least part of the invested funds. And if the event is successful, he will without any problems receive all the profits due to him.

Before investing money in any project, an investor should analyze it independently or involve specialists for this. It is important to evaluate correctly How effective is the project?

Equally important is checking the background information, as well as the conditions for the existence of the project and the likelihood of its success. In addition, it is necessary to estimate after what time its payback will come .

If a business owner provides an investor with a business plan, it is important to conduct a thorough analysis of all sections of the plan. Particularly careful you need to be with those business plans that promise too high a level of income. Errors in calculations often occur; moreover, if there is a desire to cheat, data may be falsified.

Business investments always include 2 (two) components- This cash owned by the investor, and capital directly to the project owner. It is important at the initial stage to immediately determine whether there is enough money to implement the plan.

If the investor understands that the business plan involves the participation of the owner himself, it is important to find out whether he has enough money or whether there are options where to get it. In this case, the investor insures himself from the need for additional cash contributions.

Thus, before investing in business projects, you should carefully study the scope of the business. If the investor does not understand in this topic or he does not have specialists who have sufficient knowledge in the represented field of business, it is not worth investing in the project.

It is best to invest in a business that you understand or that is simple enough for investors to understand. Finding a businessman who needs money is not a problem. For the investor, the efficiency of the project comes first.

It is important to invest in an enterprise that is well organized and will bring profit in the future. Otherwise, the money may not be returned.

Professionals also recommend that investors definitely go to production either in company office, in which you plan to invest. This often helps investors make the right decision regarding the possibility of financing a project, as it helps to visually evaluate the organization of business in the company and in production.

9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 📢

Investing in a business is a rather complex process, and therefore inevitably entails the emergence of a large number of questions. Let's try to answer the most frequently asked questions.

Question 1. I want to invest money in promising young startup projects. How can I do that?

We have already answered this question in the article itself, so we will answer it more briefly and meaningfully.

There are several ways to invest money in startups:

1. Invest via crowdinvesting platforms (starttrack.ru , mypio.ru );
2. Retrain as a business angel. That is, invest money in various business projects in the early stages, for a share in the company or convertible debt (when an investor purchases shares in the future at a “discount”). The size of angel investments is usually from $45-50 thousand to $300-350 thousand.
3. Invest money through investor clubs. In this case, investors give the club their parameters and characteristics (preferences) for the investment object, the club finds projects according to the required parameters and prepares a deal, where it receives a commission for it. The club maintains full control over the transaction. ( altaclub.vc , common.skolkovo.ru/ru/espace/investors , smarthub.ru )
4. Transfer funds to a venture fund for management. Thanks to the professional and competent selection of promising projects, the investor’s risks are significantly reduced. The venture fund itself works with startup projects, and the investor pays a commission for managing the money and receives dividends.
5. Create your own venture fund. To create a venture fund, you need to create a company, rent an office (commercial premises), maintain a professional team and have investment capital of at least 10 million dollars. Typically, such funds invest money in more mature and developed projects than the same business angels. Typically, the transaction amount is in the range from $1 million to $5 million . (and about 70 percent of all invested projects, as a rule, do not bring profit).

In a separate article, we also talked about the methods in more detail.

Question 2. Where to look for startups?

If you decide to find a startup project on your own and invest money there, we recommend using our recommendations.

1. Register in startup databases as an investor

In these databases, you can filter startup projects by niche (select tourism, IT, etc.). As a rule, the databases have a well-structured description of the project, since all projects undergo minimal moderation of the resource. The advantage of such a search is a quick and clear comparison of startups.

There are many such sites in the world, but we recommend:

1. AngelList- the world's main service for finding investments and startups (it is the founder of the startup field), on the basis of which a large number of clones have been created. The service database includes more than 1,600 startups and 380 investors from the Russian Federation (and their number is constantly increasing)
2. Starttrack.ru is a crowdinvesting platform that has the functions of a startup database. The platform allows you to enter into syndicated deals. Transactions are also carried out at closed meetings of private investors. As a rule, investors who are willing to invest 300 thousand rubles or more in the project are invited to such events. There are about 800 investors in the database.
3. Spark- a service for finding an investor, but recently new interesting and technological projects have been uploaded there, where the creators share their experience and upload projects for investment. There are about 4,500 projects in the database, of which about 1,500 are in need of investment.

2. View information through open databases about startups

Here you can view projects that have already attracted investment.

1. crunchbase.com- one of the largest databases on the venture market, which contains more than 700 thousand profiles of investors and startups.
2. Rb.ru/deals/— Russian platform with a chronology of transactions, profiles of private investors and startups, funds, etc.

3. Follow the finals of competitions

During the competition, each project withstands tough competition and evaluation by a jury. As a result, only truly high-quality projects remain. Which deserve the attention of investors.

4. Follow accelerator releases

Also keep an eye out for accelerator releases. Accelerator is a company where the activity consists of helping other companies (accelerator residents). The accelerator’s assistance is in the development, promotion, recognition of the company (brand), etc.

An accelerator is a program that quickly allows you to develop a project from its inception to the moment when it becomes interesting to an investor. The projects that reached the end are the strongest, because they managed to overcome several stages of selection.

Accelerators make money by reselling shares of the company that were received (bought back) in the past.

Accelerators include the following: IIDF accelerator, iDealMachine, MetaBeta and others.

Investors should know that investment success is determined, among other things, by knowledge. Even participation in a club does not completely free you from risks.

Question 3. How can an investor check a startup on his own?

To obtain an objective opinion about the proposed investment object, you need to perform a number of actions. They are united by the concept DUE diligence. It is important to take such actions before making any investments, buying a company or merging it with another company.

Due diligence effective in the decision-making process on any cooperation with any company.

Despite the importance of the procedure in question, many investors ignore it. However, due diligence helps investors preserve the majority of their capital, so let's look at the steps that should be taken.

1) Product

The investor must himself try the product or ask a friend who falls into the target audience to do it.

No less important has an attempt to sell the product to someone you know. As a result of such actions, a huge number of unnecessary things will probably be eliminated.

2) Team

It is important to carefully study the main actors (founders) of the project. To do this, you can use the social network Facebook, LinkedIn, etc... Here you should evaluate people's profiles, find them on other networks and try to understand what unites them.

This way you can understand how willing an investor is to cooperate with such people. Another smart move – invite someone for an interview. During it, it is quite possible to extract a huge amount of information about the company with which you plan to interact.

3) Investor

There is no point in asking other investors for their opinions on any project. It is unlikely that you will be able to get a reliable answer. It’s better to do it differently: call an investor who is not connected with you in any way and offer become a co-investor. Most likely, you will be able to hear a truthful opinion in response.

Thus, it is quite possible to evaluate a project for investment on your own. The main thing is to adhere to certain rules.

Question 4. What are the features and procedure for drawing up a business investment agreement (investment agreement)?

Conclusion of an investment agreement represents an important stage in making investments in any business. It represents an agreement concluded between the parties to the transaction, which are the investor and the business owner.

The purpose of signing such an agreement is regulation of the relationship between the parties to the transaction, first of all, regarding how costs and income will be divided during the implementation of the project.

For each of the parties to the agreement in the contract in mandatory planned income And expenses.

In accordance with the agreement in question, the parties to the transaction undertake obligations to make common efforts to implement the investment plan.

It is important to note what is the main investor's task- invest funds, and business owner– use them exclusively for their intended purpose in accordance with the project business plan.

An investor can have different status: legal entity or individual. He invests funds in a specific business project. The purpose of investing is, first of all, to generate income in some form. In this case, the investor assumes certain risks. They are related to the possibility lose invested money , both completely and partially.

The business owner's task is to raise funds. Moreover, the purpose of such actions is to achieve a certain result in the course of investment activities. In the financial world, such activities are understood as the actions of investors, consisting of a practical and analytical component, which are aimed at achieving the goal set in the plan.

Before signing the investment agreement, it is important to carry out a number of activities:

1. Negotiations must be held without fail. During their implementation, the investor and the business owner must determine mutual obligations, as well as the procedure for distributing income and expenses. The result of the negotiations is the conclusion of an agreement.
2. The project owner must draw up a business plan tailored to the investor's goals. This document must necessarily consider: an analysis of the company’s most important competitors, the product market as a whole, as well as the niche occupied by the company. Financial calculations, including the expected risk, are also important. You should also describe why the proposal is valuable, relevant and what is its novelty. At the end of the business plan, the prospects for the project are given, as well as possible scenarios for the development of events.

The investment agreement has legal force only if if it is concluded in writing . This should only be done after negotiations have been held and a business plan has been drawn up.

If the parties do not reach a mutual decision on any issues, they must draw up a protocol of disagreements. Subsequently, this document plays a huge role, especially at the stage of signing agreements. At this point it is considered an integral part of the agreement.

You can find a lot of investment agreement samples on the Internet. They are somewhat different from each other.

Standard business investment agreement - you can download the investment agreement from the link below

(investment agreement) (doc., 15.2 kb.)

However, there are points that must be present in every contract:

• a description of the legal status of each party;
• a list of the most important terms used in the agreement with a mandatory definition of all concepts;
• a specific reference to the subject of the agreement - what investment project it is, giving the name and description of the project, its main purpose, you should also indicate who the developer of the project is;
• for what period is the contract concluded?
• how settlements under the contract are carried out. If the parties reach an agreement on the investor’s right not only to the main remuneration, but also to additional remuneration, this should be stated in the contract;
• the rights that the parties acquire;
• what obligations do the parties have when signing an agreement;
• how the investor will receive the result of investment activity;
• what are the property rights of each party after the results of investment activities are obtained;
• what responsibilities each party bears during the implementation of the project;
• how the contract can be terminated;
• how changes are made to the concluded investment agreement;
• reference to force majeure;
• how and where disagreements that arise between the parties to the contract are resolved.

The following must be attached to the investment agreement:

1. an act on the distribution of property rights between the parties;
2. existing protocol of disagreements;
3. protocol for reconciling developed disagreements.

It is usually difficult for an investor and a business owner to draw up an agreement that would satisfy both parties and take into account their personal conditions. Therefore, the best solution would be to use the help of a professional lawyer.

10. Conclusion + video on the topic 🎥

We examined the main issues and points regarding investing in business. If you read this article to the end, you probably learned something new about investing in business. Now you can try out the acquired knowledge in practice.

And a video - “Why invest in startups” from the channel “Capital FM”

The site magazine team wishes you good luck and success in investing in business. If you have any comments or questions on the topic, please ask them in the comments below. We are waiting for you again on the pages of our website.

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 am 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.

Do not forget also that having money to develop a business does not guarantee success. After launching the project, a long and thorny path awaits you, full of dangers and obstacles.

I would like to end with a statement from an adventurer and successful entrepreneur, to whom a separate publication on our website is dedicated:

“Right now you feel like investor money is the ticket to your dream, but the only person who can make your startup win is not an investor or a mentor. It's you. Good luck!"

Investing in shares - investment instructions: 5 simple steps + professional help for novice investors

— 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.

The article was written by an experienced entrepreneur who has experience in attracting investments in his own innovative projects and third-party startups, collaborating with companies such as IC Finam, SBAR, Private Capital, etc.

First, a small but very important introduction:

Finding an investor willing to invest money in a new business is both simple and difficult. I’ll tell you how to find it below, but first I want to ask you: “Why do you want to attract an investor to your own business?”

No, I do not reject such an important and useful institute for a start-up business as “Investor”. In most cases, without an investor and attracting third-party money, a business simply cannot be created and launched.

I'm asking about something else:

“Are all your resources exhausted?”
“Does your business need an investor at all?”

Are you sure your project needs it? Do you think that an investor is pure “chocolate” and manna from heaven? Are you wrong?

To better understand these difficult issues, I suggest that you first and without fail read these articles:

Where to start looking for an investor for a business?

Do you need an investor to start a business, but you don’t know where to find one? Let's start with this.

First of all, I want to say the most correct and most banal thing: “To create a business, an investor can be found anywhere.” Everywhere. At every step. Even by extending your hand, you can feel the “strong shoulder of a friend” who can become an investor in your new project.

Therefore, for those who are looking for an investor for a start-up business, it is more important to understand not where to look, but how to look and, most importantly, how to convince a person or group of people to invest in your business.

Finding an investor is not a problem, the problem is making him a partner.

Below we will look at most of the possible “places” where you can and should look for an investor, and now I will try to focus your attention on one of the most important points - preparing to search for a future investor.

For many years now, there has been a story circulating on the Internet about how someone walked into an elevator and literally in two minutes, talking about his project, received almost millions of dollars from an investor.

I can fully admit that this is a true story. You never know how many poor and rich people wander around the world.

Perhaps someone fell for this. But in life everything is much more complicated and you won’t be able to find an investor “out of the box” without preparation.

To understand why, I will ask you: “Are you ready to give your hard-earned 25,000 rubles to a stranger. simply because he promises mountains of gold”? I think no.

You will study the offer, promises, etc. Why then do many of those who are looking for money for a project think that this money can be found without careful preparation?

In order to find serious money for a serious project, the minimum that you should have on hand is a business plan for the future project and its presentation with provisions on the benefits received by a possible investor.

A business plan can be replaced with a feasibility study (feasibility study), but it is better to have a full-fledged business plan. All the same, then the right investor will demand such a business plan in order to protect their money as much as possible.

Having read on Wikipedia and understood what a business angel is, an investment seeker can prepare (by creating a business plan and presentation) and contact directly the most serious organization in Russia that helps attract money from private investors to business - "SBAR"(Russian Business Angels Community). There are other similar communities, but I advise you to contact them first.

The fact is that several years ago I promoted one of my inventions through SBAR.

Looking ahead, I want to say that my project never received the investments it needed.

But communication with representatives of SBAR, its managers preparing projects for the investment session and with those investors who were found with their help, “forever” cleared my brain regarding my innovation.

And understanding of innovative business in general.

Yes, I did not receive investment in the project with the help of SBAR, but the knowledge and experience that I gained by promoting the project with their help helped me get investment for another project quickly and comfortably. “There is no such thing as too much knowledge, just like money.”

By the way, I proposed my project to the National Network of Business Angels “Private Capital” in Moscow. There my project was immediately rejected. But I was not upset and continued the search.

This is what I wish for you: do not lose heart when rejected and continue searching for an investor.) In general, if you are rejected again, this does not mean that your project is bad. It may not be groundbreaking and won't change the world, but the harder you push it, the more likely you are to succeed.

Where and how to get money for a startup

This video explains: The legendary Russian Internet entrepreneur Anton Nosik shares his thoughts and best practices on how and where to look for your investors and how not to make a mistake.

Where to find investors for an online business?

Nowadays on the Internet you can often see advertisements like this: “Looking for an investor in a small business.” On message boards, special resources for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.

You can also take advantage of this opportunity and submit your ad. Perhaps this way you will find your investor, but the chances of success will be minimal. It is best to contact investors directly.

What do I mean when I say: targeted. This means that you need to prepare, collect a list of those Internet resources through which you can contact future and real investors.

Do you know why it is necessary to contact investors directly? I'll try to explain based on my own experience. Several years ago I decided to create my own extensive resource base where I could advertise for investment in a very interesting project.

I approached data collection with all responsibility and within a month I collected everything that could be found on the RuNet at that time. Including foreign investment funds. Rowing, as they say, everything that caught the eye and barely “moved.”

What was the result after I sent out my proposal to all these funds, communities, centers, technology parks, etc.?

Zero! Pure and virgin!

Russia and Ukraine is the first step to starting a successful business with an easy and simple start.

When making a decision to purchase a franchise, you need to consult the professional recommendations in this section:

You can read about the latest news and trends in franchise business

Do you know who I received “encouraging” replies and offers of investment from? From those who provided paid services for finding investments. Like: “You have a wonderful project, with our help you will change the world with your idea... but first we need to pay the Nth amount of money.” All clear?

Don't waste your time on such empty hassles. No, I do not deny that on such message boards, forums, etc. you can find your investor. This is possible, but the chances are slim.

Most of the “investors” on such resources are those who have no money, but want to foolishly scam you out of money. And they're getting scammed. And how they cheat!

Why am I talking all about sad things!

Look for money for the project on. In my opinion, today the best crowdfunding platforms in Russia are the following resources:

• boomstarter.ru
• planeta.ru

If your business is created on an innovative idea, then I advise you to contact the Skolkovo Foundation https://community.sk.ru/news/ or Technopark "Strogino" . These are state or near state structures, it is not easy to get into them, but it is possible.

An example of such a “hit” can be: and the project

Works productively in Russia Russian Startup Tour. This is the longest tour of the regions by leading experts from Russian development institutions with the participation of venture funds and major corporations. Perhaps your business or your innovation will be of interest to a large corporation, and it will provide it with investment?

I recently came across an offer from the creators of the City of Money service. City of Money is an online platform for loans for business and investment. I don’t want to give a link, I haven’t used it myself, find it and google it, but as stated on their website, this is a platform where investors and borrowers can contact each other directly, without intermediaries.

Well, the most likely thing is to take money from the bank. Either under a start-up business assistance program, for example from Sberbank, or in the form of a consumer loan. Many aspiring entrepreneurs started this way. They took money from the bank in the form of a consumer loan and started their own business. Many people succeeded.

The main thing is to find an investor

This video explains: An interview with the creator of the legendary Ozon online store, Alexander Egorov, in which he talks about the difficulties of finding investments and difficult relationships with investors that led to the sale of the business.

Investors for business in Moscow

Advertisements like: “Looking for investors to develop a business in Moscow” or: “Looking for an investor for a business in Ukraine”, in my opinion, are incorrect.

In the first case, it is not particularly important for the investor where the business created on a breakthrough technology or idea is located, and in the second, it makes no sense to look for an investor in Ukraine in our time (known political events). Which serious investor would invest money in a business operating in a country with a declining economy?

Let's focus on finding an investor in Moscow. I personally would not make any distinction in the geographic location of the investor, but if I did, I would turn to such resources as “Managers Club – E-executive.” Do you know why? Yes, because 90% of the people shuffling there are managers from Moscow who have money.

Moreover, there are many managers with money who are already “ripe” for their own business. Do you understand? There is money, there is a desire to create a business, there is experience, but there is no time to fully devote oneself to a new business.

Not everyone is ready to leave the post of general manager of some oil company, even for the sake of their own business. Exit: find a head-first idea generator, invest money in him, his team and his idea, and everyone will be in chocolate.

This is educational: Strategy for startups

This video explains: A very interesting and original speech by Yuri Lifshits, which can be titled with humor: “A startup is not the whole life.” Yuri tells how to properly organize and build a startup strategy that will be key to your success.

An investor is looking for business projects and... does not find a suitable one

90% of new business creation projects do not receive investment because the business initiator is to blame. His main fault is that he either incorrectly emphasizes the business plan for the investor, or incorrectly creates the presentation of the project.

Here you need to understand the most important thing - how the investor considers applications.

In 95 cases out of 100, the investor sees only the main indicators provided by the project initiator:

• whether he is satisfied with the financial performance of the project;
• project payback period;
• project risks;
• and options for exiting the project.

The investor will read and consider the remaining indicators only when he is interested in the points that I listed above. Many people are still interested in having a project team, but this is not such an important point in my opinion. Or rather important, but later.

I will tell you how one of our projects was considered in IC "Finam". Looking ahead, I’ll say that my partner and I cheated a little when creating the presentation. Knowing in advance that we would be sending our presentation to Finam, we carefully prepared.

Having found out what projects this fund, respected in Russia, invests in, we found common “features” inherent in our project and those projects in which the fund has already invested. And these “traits” and features were especially emphasized in their presentation.

You can study the numerous experiences of other entrepreneurs who have created their own successful franchise business in the section of our website:

The most successful and informative case, according to the editors of the Russtarup portal:

An interesting experience of creating a business under a franchising program is presented

“Focus” passed, and we were invited to a conversation. Did we deceive the fund or not? No, of course not, we just did our presentation correctly. Did this help us in the end? No. Finam did not finance our project.

But we found investments elsewhere and from other investors, saying that our project received very good reviews in Finam.

Now let’s talk about how to draw up a business plan, an example of which will satisfy everyone. Or rather, about the small features of such a composition. So to speak: “A business plan for an investor, an example from my own life.”

What you write like: “The project will earn up to $100 million a year in two years” is of no particular interest to anyone. In my practice, any applications of this type are checked very quickly.

The main thing that needs to be emphasized in a business plan is to carefully and responsibly approach the creation of points:

• what problems do the project solve for people?
• project risks;
• options for investor exit from the project.

When describing the risks of the project, you must clearly understand what risks your proposal may encounter during its implementation and in the future. Including competitive risks and risks called force majeure.

When describing options for an investor to exit a project, you must clearly write what you agree to in building a relationship with the investor. Here you need to understand the main thing - an investor investing in a project wants to make money. Make a profit. Explosive profits are desired.

All other motives that are important to you personally, for example, to create a unique business, to be the first in the industry, to prove something to your wife... the investor does not care at all.

Therefore, he must clearly understand how and when he will be able to sell his share in the business being created.