We talk with a lot of founders who are excited but not quite ready for a serious investment conversation. That’s not a disqualifier — plenty of great partnerships start with an early, informal conversation — but there are a few things worth having in order before you reach out to any investor, including us.
Know your numbers cold
You don’t need audited financials to have a conversation, but you should be able to speak clearly about revenue, margins, burn rate, and what’s driving each of them. Vague answers here are one of the fastest ways to lose an investor’s confidence, regardless of how strong the underlying business is.
Be honest about your stage
We’d much rather hear “we’re pre-revenue but have three signed letters of intent” than an inflated growth story that doesn’t hold up under questions. Investors who are worth partnering with are trying to understand your business as it actually is, not the version that sounds best in a pitch.
Know what you actually need
“Investment” isn’t a single thing. Some founders need capital for inventory or hiring. Others need help thinking through a hire, a pricing decision, or an operational bottleneck more than they need a large check. Being clear about what kind of help you’re looking for makes it much easier for an investor to tell you honestly whether they’re the right fit.
Do diligence on the investor too
A good partnership goes both ways. Ask any investor you’re talking to what their involvement actually looks like day to day, how long they typically stay involved, and whether you can talk to founders they’ve backed before. If they can’t answer clearly, take that as useful information.
Then, reach out
None of this needs to be perfect before you have a first conversation. We’d rather talk to a founder early and help them think through what’s next than have them wait until everything is polished. If that sounds like where you are, our Partner With Us page is the place to start.