Five Reasons You Should Raise Capital For Your Startup
- You can scale more quickly. When you use bootstrapped money or small loans here and there, you will eventually be...
- You gain credibility. As I mentioned earlier, some people see asking others for money as a sign of weakness. I...
- You can tap resources beyond just money. When you raise capital for your...
What does it mean to raise capital?
Raising capital is when an investor or a lender gives a business funds to assist with starting, growing, and managing day-to-day operations. Some entrepreneurs consider raising capital to be a burden, but most consider it a necessity. Regardless of their stance on the matter, raising capital is an essential step for entrepreneurs, founders, ...
Why do entrepreneurs need to raise capital?
They can raise funds from grants. They can raise funds from loan programs with favorable terms for small businesses. The worse reason for entrepreneurs to think that raising capital is important is that they think it is a sign of success —they need to raise capital in order to be a real company.
Why is a capital raising strategy so important?
That’s why developing a comprehensive capital raising strategy is so important. It forces you to take a critical look at your business and get everything in place before creating a pitch deck and engaging with investors. This will ensure that the time you spend raising money is productive.
What are capital raising materials and why are they important?
Capital raising materials are for a very specific purpose, to generate investor interest in your company and compel them to take the next step. This means they will be quite different from your traditional website or company brochures, which are for potential customers.
Why capital is important in a business?
Capital refers to the assets and money companies need to fund their usual operations and generate revenue. Capital allows businesses to cover payroll expenses and produce their products or services. Products and services provide profit, which businesses then can use as new capital.
When should you raise capital?
The general rule is that you're in a good position to consider raising funds when 1) you've validated that there's a problem that needs to be solved and 2) you can demonstrate demand for the solution.
Is capital raising a good thing?
Benefits of Increasing Capital Stock Despite possible dilution of shares, increases in capital stock can ultimately be beneficial for investors. The increase in capital for the company raised by selling additional shares of stock can finance additional company growth.
What does raising capital mean?
So, what does capital raising mean in simple terms? It's the process a business goes through in order to raise money, so the business can get off the ground, expand, or transform in some way.
What is a capital raising strategy?
Capital raising definition refers to a process through which a company raises funds from external sources to achieve its strategic goals, such as investment in its own business development, or investment in other assets, for example M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
What happens when a company raises capital?
Additional equity financing increases the number of outstanding shares for a company. The result can dilute the value of the stock for existing shareholders. Issuing new shares can lead to a stock selloff, particularly if the company is struggling financially.
What are the advantages of share capital?
Share capital This can slow down decision-making processes. Advantages of share capital include: Share capital is a source of permanent capital – Shareholders cannot have a refund on their shares. Instead, if they want to sell their shares, they must find someone else to sell them to.
How does capital raising affect share price?
The ultimate effect of a capital raising on a shareholder that is diluted will depend on what the money raised is used for. If the funds are used to grow and expand the company, the share price may increase over the long term, benefitting all shareholders.
When should you raise money for a startup?
Therefore, founders should raise money when they have figured out what the market opportunity is and who the customer is, and when they have delivered a product that matches their needs and is being adopted at an interestingly rapid rate.
What is not a good reason to raise capital?
It's Distracting. The problem with focusing on raising money is that it distracts the founder and their team from focusing on getting paying customers, which is what will ultimately fund the company in the long term. Plenty of capital for an early stage business does not guarantee the company will be successful.
How often do startups raise capital?
around every 12 to 18 monthsOn average this happens around every 12 to 18 months. In later and larger rounds this timeframe often grows a little. So, you may start out by getting enough money from friends and family to get set up, do more research, put together your prototype, and survive a year.
How to raise capital for a startup?
Following are some tips that might prove helpful for improving one’s capital raising skills: 1 Be realistic about the amount of capital required. Optimism is a trait commonly found in entrepreneurs. However, the real world is often quite different than the record sales of the ‘unique’ product as well as the slow competitors that they envision. Therefore, the estimates about required capital should be made as realistic as possible so that enough money can be obtained. Otherwise, you are likely to make the usual mistake of asking for too little money for having a chance at success. 2 Determine the value of your company. Since debt and equity capital are both costly in their own ways, and determining the right mix of both is the ultimate way of improving one’s capital raising capabilities, it is important to begin by determining the value of one’s company. This is an important step in determining the cost of new capital when equity additions to the capital structure are sought. Ensure a mix of debt and equity such that greater ownership of the company is retained. 3 Network as much as possible. When you seek investors, make sure that everyone in your social circle is aware of the fact that you need money and how much. Find people who have managed to raise capital prior to you, discuss with them your needs, and ask for introductions. Getting introduced through a network is usually preferred by investors as well because it means they have a trusted connection.
Why is raising funds through other sources important?
Therefore, raising funds through other sources is important in order to finance all the business activities. Choosing the right sources is, however, the next critical step in the process of capital-raising because it is invariably the determinant of the success and growth of any business.
Why is it important to determine the right mix of debt and equity capital?
Since debt and equity capital are both costly in their own ways, and determining the right mix of both is the ultimate way of improving one’s capital raising capabilities , it is important to begin by determining the value of one’s company.
What are the two types of capital used by companies to fund all such operations?
Other than using up one’s savings, there are usually two types of capital used by companies to fund all such operations: debt and equity.
What does it mean to raise capital for a startup?
When you raise capital for your startup, you get more than just financial backing. That outlay of cash comes with extensive resources, business expertise and instant growth in your network. As an entrepreneur, you may not be able to reach such an extensive base of resources due to limited experience.
Why is cash flow important?
Your cash flow will be stronger and can support reinvestment in products, hiring more talent or expanding your operations. Another benefit is that you will not have to use personal assets to grow your business or as collateral for the money you borrow. That means not having to put your home up in return for the funding.
What does it mean when a venture capitalist is willing to give you a substantial amount of funding?
When a venture capitalist is willing to give you a substantial amount of funding, it shows that they see the potential in your startup to succeed, deliver something compelling to the market and provide value to its target audience.
Does raising capital require monthly repayments?
Raising capital with an investment firm also provides room to breathe when it comes to paying it back. Compared to bank loans, raising capital does not require monthly repayments and does not come with interest.
Can you scale a startup faster?
You can scale more quickly. When you use bootstrapped money or small loans here and there, you will eventually be able launch. In the meantime, though, a competitor could come out of nowhere and beat you to market. The traditionally slower forms of financing could mean a missed opportunity for your startup.
Why is it important to develop a capital raising strategy?
That’s why developing a comprehensive capital raising strategy is so important. It forces you to take a critical look at your business and get everything in place before creating a pitch deck and engaging with investors. This will ensure that the time you spend raising money is productive.
What Is a Capital Raising Strategy, Exactly?
A capital raising strategy is essentially a roadmap for how your organization will pursue and obtain the funds it needs to fuel its growth. The capital raising process can take a long time and it’s a serious undertaking. However, while you may stay up late at night searching for new investors, writing pitch decks, and pouring over financial spreadsheets, building your strategy is the simplest part of the entire process.
What to do when an investor decides to give you their money?
The investor who ultimately decides to give you their money becomes a part of your company. Be respectful of their time (just as you would expect one of your employees to be) and avoid boring them with unnecessary details. And, don’t worry, the trusted team you assembled in step one will be at your side, to guide you through any rough spots.
What is capital raising material?
Capital raising materials are for a very specific purpose, to generate investor interest in your company and compel them to take the next step. This means they will be quite different from your traditional website or company brochures, which are for potential customers.
Why is it important to scrutinize the structure of a company?
Furthermore, scrutinizing the structure and performance of your company will allow you to gather the information you need to clarify the type of funding appropriate to your business and to build and present a winning pitch. This part of developing a capital raising strategy will involve the following:
What are the common pitfalls of capital raising?
One of the most common pitfalls I’ve seen capital-hungry companies fall into is insufficient preparation for the pitch, so build time into your capital raising strategy for pitch practice. Even if you’re a confident public speaker, presenting to investors can be a nerve-wracking experience. A few practice rounds will ensure that you can share your passion (despite your nervousness), avoid errors, and get ready for the inevitable hard questions.
Why is planning important in business?
Thorough planning improves your chances of success and makes overwhelming projects, like raising capital, more manageable.
Why is raising capital important for a startup?
Four benefits of raising capital for a startup. If your startup is profitable, there might not be an urgent need to raise more capital. However, if your goal is to someday complete a merger or acquisition, raising funds from investors and firms can help position your enterprise for success.
Why do companies raise capital?
If your business has investors who have contributed equity to the enterprise, it's a sign you're probably doing something right. Continuing to raise capital throughout the life of your company shows that outsiders are impressed by the progress you've made on overall objectives. This doesn't even include the positive media attention many companies receive when they earn backing from individuals and firms. In addition to improving your business model, the ability to raise capital is one more item that adds luster to the corporate resume.
How can investors help startups?
From hiring new employees, creating new divisions of labor and even finding a new office space, investors can help startups scale to a more visible size and improve the optics of your workplace. Right now it might make sense to keep costs as low as possible but the beauty of capital is that it can present a way to make those important investments without cutting into your current operating budget.
Why do companies invest in their business?
Whether your business lacks the technology or human resources to achieve the next steps in its growth objectives, investments pave the way to tackle those goals. By presenting a clear vision to would-be investors and following it to fruition, your company can take its specialty even further and fine-tune issues along the way. If your startup is a few years old, it's possible you need to upgrade your system or make adjustments that pave the way for a successful future.
Why do mid-sized companies need acquisitions?
Acquisitions give mid-sized enterprises the ability to grow and diversify so that someday they can be even more appealing to a larger organization. One of the best ways to assemble the resources you need to take that step is to raise capital.
Why are there higher minimum capital requirements?
There is a strong consensus among policymakers that there need to be higher minimum capital requirements for banks in order to foster a more stable financial system and to help avoid the recurrence of a financial crisis of the magnitude of the recent one . However, higher capital requirements are not free – banks are likely to lend less, charge more for loans, and pay less on deposits as part of their actions to restore an acceptable return on the larger capital base they will need to employ. Determining the right minimum capital requirements therefore necessitates a careful balancing of the stability benefits against the economic costs of less attractive lending conditions.
What is capital in banking?
In its simplest form, capital represents the portion of a bank’s assets which have no associated contractual commitment for repayment. It is, therefore, available as a cushion in case the value of the bank’s assets declines or its liabilities rise. For example, if a bank has $100 of loans outstanding, funded by $92 of deposits and $8 of common stock invested by the bank’s owners, then this capital of $8 is available to protect the depositors against losses. If $7 worth of the loans were not repaid, there would still be more than enough money to pay back the depositors. The shareholders would suffer a nearly complete loss, but this is a considered a private matter, whereas there are strong public policy reasons to protect depositors.
What does "capital" mean in business?
More than just a cash infusion, capital can also mean brain capital. That’s what many entrepreneurs miss when they ask how to raise capital for business. Your investors have an interest in helping you succeed, so they may introduce you to their partners, manufacturers, and other business connections you might need. Suppose they have previously invested in a similar company. In that case, they may have a lead toward sales routes or marketing teams that can help you.
What is an Angel Investor, Venture Capital, or Crowdfunding?
You may have heard these terms and not quite understood the difference. Here is a brief rundown of what these terms mean and how to raise capital with each of them.
Pros and cons of raising capital
While the pros and cons differ depending on the source of funds (such as a private bank loan or venture capital), here are a few general pros and cons of fundraising that you should keep in mind:
Signs you should start raising capital
If you raise at the right time, you’re more likely to reap the pro benefits and mitigate the cons. Here are a few signs you should start raising capital:
Signs it's too soon to raise capital
If you rush to raise, your plan can backfire. Unfortunately, some businesses raise capital a little too soon.
Post-fundraising tips
Once you have successfully raised funds, it's time for you to get to work and put the money to good use. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, many failed startups tanked because they didn’t use their investments wisely .
Conclusion
According to Entrepreneur, only 0.05% of startups raise venture funding. This low number is surprising to many people because the media disproportionately covers startups who successfully raise funds; no one talks about the thousands of startups that never landed an investor meeting or failed to impress a lender with their business plan.
Dave Lavinsky
Dave Lavinsky is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of business planning, capital raising, and new venture development. He is the co-founder of Growthink, a professional business plan consulting firm that has helped over 1 million companies develop business plans to start and grow their companies and raise billions in growth capital.
What Is A Capital Raising Strategy, exactly?
Setting Clear Goals For Fundraising
- The first question you need to ask yourself is what exactlydo you expect to accomplish by fundraising? Is there a specific area of growth or opportunity you’ve identified? Why go through this process now and not another time? Have you taken a good, hard look at your company and where things sit? How much money do you need, by when, and how will you use it? If you have …
Financial Preparation and Readiness
- Gaining a 360-degree view of your company’s financial performance and projections is the next big step. Arguably, the most important step. As the CEO you need to be able to show potential investors that your company is ready for this. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re doing the right things to be successful, have done your due diligence, and have gained some market tracti…
Developing The Right Materials For Fundraising
- Capital raising materials are for a very specific purpose, to generate investor interest in your company and compel them to take the next step. This means they will be quite different from your traditional website or company brochures, which are for potential customers. They may touch on some of the same things, like the unique value proposition of your products and services, but inv…
Practicing Your Pitch
- One of the most common pitfalls I’ve seen capital-hungry companies fall into is insufficient preparation for the pitch, so build time into your capital raising strategy for pitch practice. Even if you’re a confident public speaker, presenting to investors can be a nerve-wracking experience. A few practice rounds will ensure that you can share your passion (despite your nervousness), avo…
Meeting with Investors
- So, you have an actual meeting on the calendar with a potential investor – congrats! When the time comes, remember to just be yourself. Let your passion, enthusiasm, and drive show through, but not in a pushy way. Remember, you’re not meeting with the President of the United States. All you’re doing is seeing if there is a “fit” between you and the potential investor, to gauge whether …
Final Thoughts on Developing A Capital Raising Strategy
- As an entrepreneur and the CEO of a growing company, you know capital raising is crucial. Yet the process can seem overwhelming – a minefield where one misstep can completely derail your dreams. That’s why developing a comprehensive capital raising strategy is so important. It forces you to take a critical look at your business and get everything in place beforecreating a pitch dec…