4 Things Investors Need to Know About Your Startup #sundayschool

Original post by SHARON WIENBAR via Entrepreneur

Angels, venture capitalists, private equity firms and mutual funds all evaluate investments on the same four basic criteria. At the various stages of a company’s evolution from brilliant-insight baby to billion-dollar behemoth, those investors will weigh your attributes differently.

When you pitch your company for funding, focus on these four topics:

Our strategy is sustainably differentiated.Demonstrate what’s special about your company and how you’ll keep that strong position. Is your offering fresh and different with a unique solution for the customer? Are your costs structurally lower or your service super fast because you invented incredible algorithms? Show that you have something different from the pack, and that is what your target market wants. Some businesses grow and thrive with execution being their main differentiator: think high-volume selling or complex logistics businesses. If execution is your pitch for why you’re different, be sure your track record backs that up.

We are the right team for this endeavor. For early stage companies, the team is the most important aspect an investor considers, as your market and product may not exist yet. What unique combination of skills and experience makes your leaders the potential winners? As you scale your business, your execution will demonstrate why you’re right for the job.