Who’s listening?

You know it’s a killer pitch, but how do you know you’re telling your story to the right person?

Anyone chasing money from an investor needs two things: the right pitch and the right audience. I’ve covered how to make killer presentations in a previous blog.  Now for the other part of the equation.

To keep inching the odds in your favour when trying to get prospective investors to sign that cheque I suggest that you really check out who they are. I’m not suggesting you should stalk them or go through their rubbish; that might be a little over-zealous and will probably land you in jail.

However, here are a few tactics that will reveal more than you might think about your target investors:

• Check out their website.
• Go to the venture capital association website.
• Research the companies that they have invested in to date.
• Talk to the chief executives of these companies to find out what the investors are like as investment partners.
• Understand their investment strategies.
• See if there is any synergy between your company and other companies in the investor’s existing portfolio.
• Brainstorm possible connections between your network and their network.
• Know who funds the venture capital company.
• Find out who the founders/major partners are.
• Go to functions and meet your target investors informally before you approach them.
• Know their networks and contacts.

Sites to check out:

• www.vcjournal.com.au
• www.pwcmoneytree.com
• www.avcal.com.au

Now, I’m wondering if there is anyone out there. I haven’t heard from many of you and I’d really love your feedback and comments. Please don’t be shy and send me a quick email.

To read more Gail Geronimos blogs, click here.