22% of Australian start-ups are led by feminine founders, however in keeping with the most recent Stats of Australian Begin-Ups report, solely 15% of whole capital raised was granted to feminine founders in 2024.
That is one thing that Tech Prepared Ladies is hoping to vary. Since 2017, now we have been coaching non-tech feminine founders every part from how you can check the market, how you can utilise tech, scale, develop a enterprise construction, and naturally, how you can search funding.
Elevating capital comes all the way down to preparation, confidence and resilience. As a feminine founder, you deliver a singular energy to the desk. Personal that and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. The extra ladies who efficiently increase capital, the extra the funding panorama shifts for the higher.
Listed below are my prime suggestions for ladies in search of funding for his or her ventures:
Know your Numbers Inside and Out
Buyers wish to see that you’ve a robust grasp on what you are promoting financials together with your income, margins, buyer acquisition prices and development projections. Be assured in presenting data- pushed insights that show the viability and scalability of what you are promoting. Most people who find themselves prepared to spend money on a enterprise can be numbers pushed, so be sure you are throughout them.
After I first began out, I didn’t have this ability set so I invested in programs to enhance my monetary literacy. My first investor was additionally a former CFO and somewhat than getting him to do my numbers, I made certain he taught me alongside the way in which. I’m somebody who failed math at highschool, so if I can discover ways to construct a strong monetary mannequin, anybody can.
Construct relationships earlier than you want funding
Fundraising is about belief, so begin networking with buyers early. Attend trade occasions, search heat introductions, and set up rapport earlier than you begin actively elevating. Many buyers will again founders who they’re already conversant in and who they imagine in.
My tip is to hunt out who your ultimate investor is and ask them for recommendation. Don’t ask them for cash immediately. You wish to be sure that your first buyers will help what you are promoting ultimately in addition to cash as a result of the trail to success has ups and downs. Subsequently, having folks invested past the cash they will present is useful to any enterprise trying to scale.
Craft a compelling narrative
Buyers don’t simply spend money on companies; they spend money on founders with a imaginative and prescient. Inform a compelling story about why what you are promoting exists, the issue it solves and why you’re the greatest particular person to steer it. Ardour and conviction goes a good distance.
I like to indicate buyers WHY I’m one of the best particular person to construct this enterprise. What I’ve learnt about the issue, the trade and I be certain that I show why I feel out answer in aggressive out there
Goal the fitting buyers
Not all buyers are the fitting match for what you are promoting. Analysis those that have invested in comparable industries or again feminine led start-ups. Aligning with buyers who perceive your market will increase your likelihood of securing funding.
Get comfy with speaking about cash
Many ladies hesitate to ask for what they want or they undervalue themselves and their enterprise. Be direct and assured when discussing funding quantities, valuation, and development potential. Buyers respect founders who advocate for his or her value. In addition they wish to make sure that the particular person on the helm of the enterprise has the boldness to take the enterprise the place it must go.
Present traction and milestones
Early-start buyers search for momentum. They’ve clear milestones that show progress-user development, partnerships, income traction or product growth. Even small wins will help construct credibility so be sure you are ready to indicate them their milestones, clarify them and what worth they delivered to the desk
Encompass your self with skilled
Construct a robust advisory community of mentors, trade specialists and profitable entrepreneurs. Their steering will help you refine your pitch, navigate negotiations and keep away from frequent fundraising pitfalls.
Understanding time period sheets and fairness
Know what you’re signing. Many founders give away an excessive amount of fairness or comply with unfavourable phrases early on. Seek the advice of a authorized skilled or mentor to make sure you’re making knowledgeable selections. You hear too typically about founders dropping management of their enterprise or getting booted by buyers as a result of they didn’t pay sufficient consideration to the phrases.
Leverage grants and non-dilutive funding
Earlier than giving up fairness, discover grants, accelerator applications and authorities funding choices. These can present capital with out dilution, serving to what you are promoting grown on higher phrases.
Consider in your self and maintain going.
Rejection is a part of the journey. Be taught from investor suggestions, refine your pitch and persist. The suitable investor is on the market, you simply want to search out them. I’ve at all times had coaches for each private {and professional} growth whereas on this entrepreneurial journey. Encompass your self with individuals who can carry you up or aid you see one other perspective. That can aid you maintain your head within the recreation while you really feel you wish to stop. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to launch a number of companies over the previous 15 years, so I’ve discovered the ins and outs of scaling a enterprise, in search of funding and even promoting a enterprise. In 2017, I launched Tech Prepared Ladies to attach different feminine founders with specialists, training and the instruments they should succeed.
Tech Prepared Ladies and Scalere Companions can be investing $50, 000 right into a feminine based start-up off the again of our subsequent National Investment Ready Program.
This system, which can be open to twenty feminine founders will run from April – October 2025. It’s an inclusive, accessible and supportive program, equipping ladies with the talents, community and confidence to lift capital and take their modern companies to the following stage.
The funding will include at the very least $25, 000 money from Scalare Companions in addition to equal worth help companies to assist scale their enterprise. The phrases can be agreed upon with the chosen founder and funding made inside 60 days of this system completion.
ALSO READ: Founder Friday: Dev Chopra reveals the highs and lows of raising capital
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