How to find an investor for a specific project. How to find an investor to start a business

Beginning entrepreneurs often face a lack of funds, without which it is impossible to implement a promising business idea. In this case, you have to look for an investor who will agree to invest money in your business. This is a difficult process that requires persistence, patience and self-confidence. You will learn how to find an investor from scratch for a small business in this article.

How to attract an investor?

Any investor strives to increase his capital. The interest on deposits offered by banks and other financial institutions does not suit people who want their money to work and make a profit, since such dividends barely cover the level of inflation. Therefore, investors are looking for businesses in which they can invest capital and thereby provide decent passive income. If you are interested in how to find an investor for a small business, first of all you need to perceive him as a potential partner, since you are investing an idea into the business, and the investor is investing his money. Accordingly, this should be beneficial for both parties.

Experts believe that finding an investor for a small business is not difficult. The most important thing is a competent presentation of the idea, which can convince him that this type of investment will significantly increase his capital.

In an investment question, the following questions need to be addressed:

• Demand and uniqueness of the product;
• Investment size;
• Payback period of the enterprise;
• Calculation of future profits and guarantees.

If you can find convincing arguments for all of these positions, the investor will be convinced that your idea will indeed bring good profit and ensure its financing.

Where to start your search?

1. Step #1. Make a clear plan that you will present to potential investors. With its help, you must convince the person that your strategy will allow you to make a good profit. The document must contain a complete description of the company, its prospects, and place in the market. Also, do not forget to attach a calculation of the initial investment and the approximate payback period;
2. Step #2. Decide on the type of investor. For example, you are interested in how to find an investor who will allocate funds to achieve certain goals - to purchase equipment or expand production at a certain interest rate. Or maybe an investor will suit you who will give you money, but will ask for a share in the business in exchange. Choose the most acceptable form of cooperation for you and indicate it in the plan;
3. Step #3. Seek help from experienced businessmen who have been working in your chosen field for a long time. They can give you sound advice on attracting investors to your business;
4. Step #4. Find specialized sites on the Internet where aspiring entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to present their project to business angels. You place your request for financing an enterprise, after which investors contact the author of the idea that interests them.

Where to look?

Before finding an investor for a business, you need to carefully prepare and make a detailed description of the future enterprise. It is advisable to involve experienced economists in this matter who will help you draw up an action plan. It should outline the production technology, the level of competition in the market, marketing research, and markets for finished products. You also need to attach financial calculations and detail the payback period and future profits.

Now let's try to figure out where to find an investor for a small business. There are several options to help you resolve this issue:

• Relatives and friends. Since finding an investor to invest in a business idea is not so easy, try to involve your friends and relatives in this business. This is an ideal option that allows you to minimize all risks. If the implementation of your project does not require large start-up capital, you can invite your friends to invest their savings in the business for a certain percentage of the profit;
• Businessmen. In any city there are experienced entrepreneurs who have made a fortune and want to invest their capital in some profitable business. Try to get a long-term loan from them on favorable terms or offer equity participation in the business. The second option will significantly limit your freedom of action, so think carefully before taking such a step;
• Funds. Another option for finding an investor for a business from scratch is investment funds, as well as funds that assist small businesses. But in order to receive money from such an organization, you need to prove that your project is viable. In addition, an aspiring entrepreneur must have his own start-up capital, which he plans to invest in a new enterprise. This option is more suitable for businessmen who want to find an investor in an existing business. To get a positive answer, you need to draw up an enterprise development plan and conduct a thorough analysis of your company’s work. It is also necessary to constantly monitor the performance of public investment funds. They often hold various competitions that allow them to select the most promising projects;
• Venture investing has become widespread in many developed countries. If you want to find investors for business development in this way, you should remember that these organizations invest money only in promising risky projects in the field of science, innovation or IT technology. Sometimes venture funds finance the service and trade sectors. But at the same time, they expect a share in your business and stable profits. As a rule, such funds finance the enterprise for several years and then sell their share to the owner;
• Business incubators. This is a special platform that is intended for the implementation of various projects. To find an investor for a business in Ukraine in this way, you need to provide a competent plan and pass an interview or win a competition;
• Banks. If you don't know where to find an investor for your business, try getting a loan from a bank. But, unfortunately, getting the required amount is not so easy, since credit institutions usually impose serious requirements on borrowers. You will need a guarantor, collateral and a package of documents. If you do not comply with the bank's requirements, you may not receive a loan. This option is more suitable for implementation.

If you want to find money for your business, be patient. All candidates must be carefully considered and possible risks taken into account. In this case, you can choose a reliable investor who will help you open a profitable enterprise.

Foreign investors

Some entrepreneurs who cannot find money to implement their idea in our country are trying to attract foreign capital to the project. Let's figure out where to find a foreign investor for a small business?

It is pointless to rely on your past victories in various competitions and festivals, since foreign investors are only interested in real financial achievements. You must offer them a project that, with additional funding, will bring in millions in profit, preferably in dollars. It doesn't have to be some kind of technological idea, but if it shows high profitability, you can safely count on the fact that investors will pay special attention to you. Believe me, no one will invest in your ambitions. Therefore, if you are not confident in your abilities, look for interesting ones, the implementation of which does not require large start-up capital. This is an ideal option to start with.

Video on the topic

By franchise

Now let's talk about how to find an investor for a franchise business. This investment tool has been tested by hundreds of entrepreneurs. The main advantages of a franchise are a quick start and entry into the market under the wing of a well-known brand. Borrowed funds for a franchise can be obtained from a bank. This is the only case when banks give money to start a business. In addition, they provide a deferred payment on the loan for 6 months. Thanks to this, the entrepreneur can direct all his efforts to business development and repay the loan from the profits received. To get such a loan, it is enough to have one guarantor.

Help from the state

If you want to implement it, you can try to seek help from the state. There are special programs that allow you to receive a grant to start your own business. This is targeted free assistance, which is quite enough to start a small enterprise. This option is perfect for beginners who are looking for ways to start without starting capital.

Often successful companies are created through the collaboration of several parties: one has an idea, the other has the resources to implement it. Thanks to the Internet, it has become easier for these parties to find each other. However, it is important not just to find a person with money, it is necessary to attract a good partner, cooperation with whom will become the basis for a successful startup and further advancement of the business. When considering investor proposals, try to think about which of them will be interested in your business. To do this, formulate the stage of development of your business: will it be its origin, formation, growth, maturity, or decline. Every company that is at various stages needs its own investor.

Features of the stages of company activity
At the inception stage, as a rule, an entrepreneur has nothing, only an idea, and sometimes a registered patent. There are also problems with the formation of the management team; business processes are not established. External investors are often relatives and friends, or they can be private individuals who have some experience in this area and are willing to take risks. On our website you can find such investor offers.

During its formation, the organization already has an established production of finished products, or already provides services, but its activities do not bring the desired income, and sometimes are even unprofitable. This stage is characterized by business processes that have not been fully developed; only the formation of a management team occurs. At this stage, it is necessary to pay attention to the financial and legal documentation of the company. An investor who is interested in it should easily understand the corporate structure of the organization and its financial position. It is good that the company does not participate in litigation, disputes with government services, etc. At the stage of expansion of activities, the volume of operations performed increases, and profits become stable. As a result, the company begins to occupy a stable position. The stage is characterized by well-established business processes, new markets and projects are opening. At these stages, banks, funds and other serious investors are involved in financing.

Advantages of our business portal
The business portal site is designed to assist its visitors in developing their business and increasing capital. In particular, this page presents various investor proposals. We recommend that you read them carefully and do not make hasty decisions. Try to learn as much as possible about your partner and assess his reliability. When drawing up contracts, read them carefully, let there be as few understatements as possible, and let all agreements be recorded in writing. On this page you can both find an investor and become one yourself by posting an investor proposal. Many of our visitors were able to find reliable business partners with whom they have been working for many years. Perhaps you will become one of their number.

Investment in an existing taxi business. Guaranteed income from 24% without risk! See more detailed information in our photos in the ad! After viewing, be sure to call! We will answer all your questions! There are 3 investment programs to choose from.

💪 Profitability from 24% to 130% per annum with guarantee.

💥We pay dividends weekly! 👌First payment in 18 days!

❗❗You can start with any capital ❗❗

👍Call and come to our office at a time convenient for you! We work from 09:00 to 21:00, seven days a week.

⭐️In connection with the expansion of the Taxi 515 company, we invite you to become an investor (mortgagor) and receive income from the first month. We invite partners from Moscow, the Moscow region and any regions of Russia to the Taxi 515 taxi company, specializing in profitable, well-functioning ready-made car rental business for taxi.

🚕Briefly about our company:

1. We have been working in the taxi market since 2010

2. There are 150 cars in our fleet, and it is constantly being replenished.

3. Own dispatch service

4. We specialize in corporate orders

5. Our clients are legal entities and individuals.

🚀 You receive: from 24% on capital invested in a ready-made business with 100% collateral in the form of cars or real estate registered in your name.

👉 Your Guarantees when working with us:

✅We always take all risks completely and conclude an agreement. 📑

✅ Our company has been on the market since 2010, 9 years of experience in the field of non-bank operational financing with liquid collateral.

✅ The best conditions (up to 30% per annum without risk. Up to 80% per annum with risks)

✅ The best opportunities (3 different investment programs, any combinations are possible)

✅ We carry out a full cycle from the moment the money comes in until the moment it comes out.

✅ By entering our ready-made business, you get the opportunity to scale your investments as you gain practical experience from our cooperation.

✅ We undertake to provide full legal support of transactions and control timely payments.

We love cars! (we always monitor the condition of the car and hire responsible drivers, only 30% of 100% of candidates receive approval)

✅ The car is always your property, in all investment projects and throughout the entire term of the contract.

✅ Savings when buying a car up to 15% of the market value, due to competent selection

✅ We protect your investments (The company has a strong in-house security service.)

✅ We create an individual financial program for you, depending on the type and size of your investment.

Additional Information:

💥 Anyone who wishes can become a partner, starting from RUB 500,000.

💥We will help you if you need to sell a car or real estate

😏 See all our offers in the Avito store “Milliton”

To do this, visit our profile.

☎️ CALL / WRITE here or WhatsApp! ☎️

In the modern world, more and more interesting business ideas are appearing that require implementation. But to promote any project you need money, which the author of the idea does not always have. Therefore, the question of finding investment to start a business is relevant. However, entrepreneurs and companies starting from scratch risk facing strong competitors in their chosen niche. And in order to implement the idea and find the necessary funds for this, you need to know all the tricks for attracting investors.

• Where to look for investors
• Attracting investment through the mainstream
• Platforms for finding investors
• How to act. Basic rules for attracting investors
• How to make a project attractive: what an investor will pay attention to
• How to prepare to communicate with an investor: from pitch to conclusion of an agreement
• How to prepare a presentation correctly: 5 tips for investors

We will tell you how to make your project attractive to investors and what you need to do to achieve this. The one who walks will master the road, but the business is the one who is ready for something new.

Where to look for investors

There are many more opportunities for finding investors than it might seem at first glance. And you can find money by resorting to both long-existing investment methods and modern ones that appeared with the advent of the Internet.

Classic ways to attract investment

You can get money for your business through investment funds, small business assistance funds. This is quite a difficult task. In addition to the fact that a beginning entrepreneur must find serious reasons for receiving investments, he must invest part of the funds himself, but not everyone has the opportunity to do this.

You can ask for help at venture funds, however, it must be taken into account that they provide funds for the development of projects that have prospects. First of all, in the field of innovation and IT technologies.

Another option is a special platform for investing in business projects, a business incubator. But to get money, you need to win the competition and pass an interview.

Successful people can also become potential investors businessmen who would like to have passive income. Finding investors and making them partners is the most acceptable and simple way. And for this you need to be able to present your project well, prove its worth and relevance.

Attracting investment through the mainstream

One of the most popular ways to attract investment is crowdfunding, which is the collection of funds for a business from ordinary people. There are crowdfunding platforms on the Internet designed to allow you to leave proposals to raise funds for a project, or to invest your own money in the project. But to resort to this method, you either need to be a famous person or be able to advertise your idea very well, which, unfortunately, is not done on crowdfunding sites.

You can try attract investments through cryptocurrencies and electronic payment systems . It should be noted that some popular cryptocurrencies today, for example, Ethereum, were created with user money.

Platforms for finding investors

If you don’t know where to look for investors, then we offer you several large platforms for finding them.

business-platform.ru. Federal business platform. In addition to projects and proposals for the sale of ready-made businesses, you can find an investor base here. The main task of the platform is to connect investors and authors of business projects online.

beboss.ru. The resource provides an opportunity to search for investors for any industry, as well as a catalog of franchises, business plans and business ideas.

napartner.ru. The platform offers various services for startups and investors, such as transaction support. Beginning businessmen will need to describe the nuances of their project so that investors receive as much information as possible.

investclub.ru. The resource offers ample opportunities for finding investments and investors.

rusinvestproject.ru. A platform for searching for investors both in Russia and in the CIS countries.

How to act. Basic rules for attracting investors

There are many people who want to receive investments and the competition is quite strong, so before looking for an investor, you need to learn a few rules.

The more information you provide to investors, the more they will trust you.

If you know how much you can earn, how your project will develop, you can safely go to a conversation with an investor. Calculate exactly how much money you need and for what.

An example is the startup Talkdesk. Its authors proposed the development of cloud technologies that should be used in call centers. Before meeting with a representative of the Silicon Valley venture capital fund, from which the project team subsequently received $12,000,000, she already had investments from other investors in the amount of $4,000,000 and received $1,000,000 in profit. Investors were captivated by the team’s ability to save money and devote themselves entirely to work. They made all conclusions based on the information provided about the project.

The more you know about an investor, the more opportunities you have to interest him.

What is your preferred communication style? How is business going? How quickly does he make decisions? Any little thing can turn out to be important.

An example is receiving investment for the Glowforge project. Before applying for investments, the author of the project looked at the blogs of the fund’s partners. Studying them, he concluded that when making a presentation, you need to be based not on numbers, but on the product. In total, the project raised $9,000,000 for the production of laser 3-D printers from venture funds Foundry Group and True Ventures in 2015.

The project also set a crowdfunding record, as it was able to attract another $28,000,000 on sites. That is, the author of the project, Dan Shapiro, successfully used the second rule, but most importantly, the third rule.

The more confident you are in your success, the more others will believe in it.

Investors prefer competent and persistent people who know what they want and know how to justify their plans. Prove that you are capable of doing what you propose. Give up the words “I want” and “I wish”, say “I do” and “I act”. Focus on your goals. Correctly set goals will certainly lead to success.

How to make a project attractive: what an investor will pay attention to

According to statistics, out of ten projects only one receives investment. What needs to be done to make your project interesting to investors?

1. You and your team

First of all, any investor will be interested in what kind of people he will have to work with. Both the personal qualities of the author of the project and his motivation and willingness to go to the end are interesting. You must prove that you can move forward despite the difficulties. It is important how you achieve your goal, since any investor values ​​his time and money.

1. Correct calculations

Unfortunately, 95% of aspiring entrepreneurs looking for investors have little idea of ​​what kind of income they can expect. The numbers they present at the presentation sometimes do not correspond to reality. Constantly growing sales and million-dollar profits offered by project authors often have nothing to do with the real state of affairs. Look for how to optimize costs, indicate what exactly you want to receive investments for.

1. Project potential

One of the most important points in communicating with an investor is determining the potential of the project. The investor needs to know when the project will generate income, how you will identify potential clients, and finally, when the project will fully pay off. Preferably within a year, maximum three years.

To identify potential clients, it’s a good idea to run a crowdfunding campaign. If users are interested in your project, you will have a chance to attract interest from investors.

How to prepare to communicate with an investor: from pitch to conclusion of an agreement

There comes a time when the investor believes that he should choose your project. On average, it takes businessmen 3-9 months from meeting an investor to concluding an agreement. It is possible that you will have to prepare more than one version of a business plan and answer many questions for which you are not quite ready. Therefore, carefully prepare not only for the presentation, but even for a short meeting and telephone conversation. Each stage of communication requires its own preparation.

Stage 1. Getting to know each other

It can be either full-time or remote. The main thing here is to interest the investor in your project. To do this, you can use the following methods.

Elevator pitch or an elevator pitch. The short pitch was so named because businessmen and startups would catch potential investors in elevators and present their business idea to them in 30 seconds. Your mini-presentation must include:

• the problem you are solving;
• Product Description;
• monetization method.

The main thing is to attract attention, for which you can use interesting facts or figures. For example, SpaceX's presentation consisted of only three sentences: the cost of launch, which has not been reduced in decades, the possibility of reducing it by 90 percent, and the impressive amount that can be earned.

Elevator pitch can be used at large forums and business competitions.

Correspondence. It is quite possible to establish a connection by corresponding by e-mail. This method works best for individual requests. In addition to the appeal, the letter must include:

• description of the product or services;
• description of consumers;
• business model;
• basis for investment.

Stage 2. Business meeting

Presentation. If a potential investor is interested in an elevator pitch or your letter, he will invite you to a personal meeting, for which you also need to prepare. When going to a meeting, you need to decide what you specifically want from it. If you receive money, you need to say so. This call to action is quite applicable and works.

Now about the presentation itself. It should be short and bright. It's good to follow the 10/20/30 rule. Try not to dwell on the details and keep it to a 20-minute presentation, which consists of 10 slides and is typed in 30 font.

Appearance. The fate of your project will depend not only on a good presentation, but also on your behavior and appearance. That's why:

• don't be late;
• come in a business suit;
• follow the rules of etiquette.

Your ability to carry yourself confidently, your energy and charisma are very important.

Stage 3. Obtaining funding

Finance, finance and once again finance. For an investor, the main thing is making money. This must be remembered above all. Therefore, even if your project is supposed to “save the world”, but does not have a good business plan and financial plan, a potential investor will not be interested in it. A financial model is needed that can be adjusted by the investor himself. It's good to have:

• results of marketing research;
• letters from suppliers.

It is better to prepare three options at once: optimistic, pessimistic and basic. But, in any case, the model must be carefully verified. Only in this situation can we hope to conclude a deal. It is important to show that you know the market well and to convince them of the feasibility of introducing your product. The investor must believe that by investing in your idea, he can not only quickly recoup his investment, but also make good money.

How to prepare a presentation correctly: 5 tips for investors

Presentation is very important, on which the receipt of investment will largely depend. Many entrepreneurs, when preparing for a presentation, do not fully understand the interests of investors and do not know how to properly present their project. What points should the presentation contain?

1. Problem Definition. If it exists, then it needs to be confirmed. Demand confirmation must be determined by real numbers.
2. Solving the problem. Your decision cannot be the only correct one. But it's your decision, and you need to convince the investor that it works, that people are willing to buy the product. It is best to come to investors already with certain results. To do this, you can take the following steps:

• do product testing;
• notify about changes to the project;
• present the available results.

1. Search for opportunities to sell the product. Willingness to buy does not mean that the product will sell well. Even if a person buys a service or product once, there is no guarantee that he will contact you next time. Therefore, you need to take into account profit and loss per customer, the so-called unit economics, as well as ways to attract and retain customers.
2. Searching for a market and determining a strategy to enter it. We need to look for those markets that are growing and not disappearing, such as the cell phone repair market.

If the presentation shows how your income will grow in 3-5 years, then your financial model will arouse the interest of investors.

1. Determining the investment amount. At the last stage, you must tell the investor what you need the money for and how much you want, as well as how much you are willing to invest yourself.

The right choice of investor, serious preparation for a conversation with him, as well as a good presentation of the project will help you get a chance to invest in your project.

Where to find an investor to open a business and to develop an existing project, how to prepare for a meeting with potential partners - the answers to these and other questions are in the article. As well as samples of business plans that will be useful for finding an investor.

In this article you will learn:

Finding an investor in a bank

Where to find an investor for an existing business or for a new project? The first thing that comes to mind is a bank. Probably every second resident of our country regularly calls banks and happily informs them that they have been approved for a loan from 50 thousand to 50 million rubles. For example, a certain bank approved me a loan of 5 million at 11.8% per annum. However, upon closer examination, it turns out that the rate increases: without insurance - by 5.1%, without advance payment - by 2%, without collateral - by 2.1%, without online application - by 0.5%. From the date of loan issuance to the date of the first payment, the rate increases by 1.5% per month. The maximum total cost of the loan is 24.103%. Thank you, no need!

However, if you search in different banks, you can get a loan at about 11%.

In addition, you can involve your friends or subordinates in co-financing. They apply for a loan from a bank, you repay it, and you pay them a commission for using the loan. This scheme works, since few subordinates will dare to refuse the boss if they are confident in his enterprise.

This method also includes obtaining loans for small businesses from banks at 9.5% per annum secured by collateral (goods in circulation, equipment, transport, real estate, collateral of third parties, guarantee from the small business support fund). The only case when banks provide funds for opening a new business is franchise of famous brands(the key to success).

To find an investor, you need a business plan!Download documents that will help you draw it up correctly, and sample business plans:

How to justify to a bank the effectiveness of an investment project using Excel

To prove to the bank that the company will be able to pay off its obligations, use a ready-made model in Excel to evaluate the effectiveness of investment activities as a whole or a separate investment project.

Funds and business angels

You can attract investor funds for a project from scratch or for its development in Russia directly, bypassing banks. For this, connections and acquaintances, recommendations, etc. are usually used. But there are more modern ways to attract attention - these are electronic investment platforms. For example, "City of Money".

The applicant places his proposal on this site: a brief description and financial calculations. Provides the necessary documents (founding documents, business plan, guarantees, if any, documents for the property that will be used as collateral. The portal’s specialists evaluate the borrower’s credit history, documents and the business itself: profitability, stability, equity, debts, etc. After this, they go to the site and evaluate everything live, because according to the papers, everything may be in order. After that, they publish a proposal, which investors evaluate, usually within two weeks, ask clarifying questions and either finance the project or not. . Also .

What is the advantage

Firstly, there can be many investors; accordingly, the possible losses of each of them are reduced, and they, unlike a bank, can take risks.

Secondly, they may evaluate the offer differently than the bank. If the project is attractive, then a reverse auction situation is created - when there are more people willing to invest money than necessary, then the interest rate on loans decreases. As a result, a loan is much cheaper than a bank loan. This is a better way to get investment for your business.

Third, investors, unlike a bank bound by rules, can take risks and provide funds without collateral. Here, the platform itself acts as a guarantor, which checks the borrower and his affairs. Therefore, through the platform, investors can allocate funds even to those who would not be allowed from the street even onto the threshold of their office.

And finally, fourthly, on the site you can place , without having any business yet, and if it seems attractive, they will “buy” it.

For its services, the platform takes a commission of 3%, and if we are talking about a startup, then a fixed payment is 4,000 rubles.

Investor proposals

There are also reverse platforms where investors themselves post their offers. For example, "Business platform" .

If you combine sentences from the first page, which indicate , then you get the following table:

Table 1. Investor proposals

Sum	Percent	Industry	Terms (information from the site)
		Know-how, production, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, polymer processing	Feasibility study, business plan, team information
		Business financing through leaseback, real estate and shares, equipment, unfinished objects, or commercial real estate.	We invite partners to cooperate with projects for the reconstruction and development of existing businesses
		New technological projects and startups through ICO (Initial Coin Offering) - by issuing new cryptocurrencies.	The minimum participation with the customer’s own funds is from 20–30 thousand dollars, in this case you can remain 100% owner. The project must have a prototype, a working model, for an “idea” - we don’t work
		Construction	Unfinished objects
		Private American business angels invest in any IT and Internet startups with high development potential	Availability of a business plan in accordance with the UNIDO world standard: the project must provide a return on invested capital of at least 12% per annum; upon successful consideration, registration of the company in the United States and relocation of the head or one of the top officials of the company to permanent residence in the United States is required.
		Extraction and processing of raw materials, construction and real estate, any production and processing, any industry and energy, any services and trade	Business stage: from scratch and existing enterprises. Investment volume from 10 to 500 million rubles. into one project. Payback period: up to 60 months. Availability of a business plan and a ready-made team.
		Mechanical engineering and metalworking, polymer processing, waste processing, petrochemicals, new materials, HoReCa	A presentation containing general information about the team, analysis and forecasts of the market for a given product/service, key financial indicators, and a proposal to the investor. Financial model for the next 2–3 years.
		Any highly profitable projects	We are looking for specialists who are charged with the idea of ​​development, who do not have enough start-up capital and are ready to lead the direction. If the start is successful, the initiator receives the right to buy out the option after 3 years. Before this salary + % of profit
		Extraction and processing, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, trade, services and other industries	No collateral or security for the project is required from the initiator. The initiator's own financial resources are not required. 100% of financing is provided by the investor. The investor assumes all risks
		Working projects in the field of production, wholesale/retail trade, real estate, construction, Internet technology, agricultural sector, finance.	Investment schemes – equity participation in business (priority) or secured lending
		Medical industry (dentistry, diagnostics, MRI), accommodation, food services, tourism	If the start is successful, the initiator receives the right to buy out the option after 3 years. Before this salary + % of profit
		Investments to buy or open a store	Providing investments, sales assistance
		Manufacturing, service provision, trade, IT,	Details from the investor
		Any industries and areas of business	A clear business plan Brief information on the project initiator (education, work experience, contacts) and on the investment project (brief description indicating the main economic indicators)
		Automobiles, architecture, woodworking, industrial parks, engineering, investments / finance, information technology, mechanical engineering, medicine / pharmaceuticals, metalworking, real estate, oil refining / petrochemicals, know-how, transportation / transport / logistics, recreation, waste management, polymer processing, industry, robotics, crop production, agriculture, communications, construction, energy	Both individual trading companies and chain stores actively cooperate with us to obtain both short-term and long-term loans in order to increase working capital and increase commodity turnover.

The table shows that the minimum investment amount starts from 1 million rubles. As a rule, a deposit is not required, but it is necessary that the initiator himself develops his business, i.e., first of all, businessmen evaluate the business and personal qualities of the applicant himself. As for industries, the majority invest in innovative and IT technologies, or in classic business areas.

If we look at the generalized diagram, we will see that the larger the loan amount, the higher the interest that the investor requires for it (see Figure 1). Although there are exceptions. For example, an American fund for 100 million rubles. asks for only 12% per annum, and our businessman-builder 100% for 224 million rubles. (see table above).

Drawing

Raising money through various funds (venture funds, small business support, etc.) can be attributed to the same method. You can come to these funds in person, you can find them through online platforms, through acquaintances, etc., but the essence does not change.

You can get investments for your business from your suppliers

Several years ago, an acquaintance of mine set up a café-bar without a single ruble in his pocket; moreover, he was saddled with a substantial debt. In paying the rent, he agreed with the owner of the premises on a two-month deferment, since he needed time to unwind. He also received a two-week grace period from the beer suppliers who installed the taps on the condition that only their beer be poured at the bar. It’s the same story with coffee - a coffee machine was installed for him subject to a certain volume of beans purchased per month with payment at the end of each month. The same goes for suppliers of beer snacks, cakes, etc. The staff, of course, gets paid at the very end.

Thus, his bar started working and in the first month he was able to close the current payments, and by the end of the second he was able to pay the rent.

In other words, investments for small businesses can include not only cash, but also trade credit, deferred payment and other forms of in-kind lending. The most important advantage of this type of collateral is that it is much easier to find suppliers willing to provide a trade loan under exclusive conditions and will cost less than professional investors or banks.

For example, when a university publishing house needed funds to publish academic literature, they granted one of the large stationery companies the exclusive right to sell stationery products in all buildings of St. Petersburg State University. And thus, we received the necessary funding.

Grants

Another way to obtain funding is to participate in competitions and receive public and private grants. To do this, a business must have a social component or pretend that it has one.

For example, in St. Petersburg for several years there was a network of public pharmacies selling medicines at reduced prices due to state subsidies. The pharmacy positioned itself as a social project and submitted a corresponding application to the state. help. In order to get it, she sold medicines to the population for six months at essentially wholesale prices. Due to low prices, the pharmacy gained popularity and made profits due to high turnover. As a result, the state the authorities had already heard about her, and she was easily able to win a grant for the social provision of medicines to the population.

This method seems specific, but in fact, any business can be presented as socially significant.

This category also includes numerous business incubators and small business assistance programs. Each specialized committee in government agencies has its own budget, which it needs to allocate in its own area: sports, youth, social affairs, healthcare, education, social housing, etc.

This also includes fundraising, crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and other methods of collecting donations from the public.

In general, finding money is quite difficult, but it is possible. The only question is that both the applicant himself and the investors are confident in the business being offered to him.

How to prepare for a meeting with investors

Before negotiations with potential partners:

• collect information about them;
• think about how to present data about the project;
• determine the forms of participation in the project;
• prepare documents for the meeting.

Pay attention to the scale and timing of past projects, forms and conditions of participation in them. Study the industry preferences of your potential partner. For example, venture capital companies are interested in innovative companies. Find out the minimum and maximum amounts of money invested, the requirements for the level of profitability.

Determine what type of investors are strategic or financial investors. To draw conclusions, analyze information about the projects in which they have invested money. The former take part in the management of the company, the latter are only interested in income from investments. Using the information received, the financial director will assess in advance how much the company will interest potential investors and will place emphasis when preparing information.

What documents to prepare

Before meeting with investors, prepare the following documents:

• patents, licenses, documents confirming exclusive rights (if the project involves a high-tech or innovative product);
• commercial proposals or draft contracts for the purchase of equipment, real estate, and the creation of utilities. Describe the supplier, the reasons for choosing him and this equipment or real estate, cost, delivery conditions;
• loan agreements, if you have already attracted banks to finance the project. In the description, indicate the amount, interest rate, loan term, loan period, main covenants;
• draft agreement on participation in the project;
• loan agreement indicating the amount, interest rate, disbursement and repayment schedules. This is relevant if the investor participates with money;
• a constituent agreement, a share purchase and sale agreement, a share purchase and sale agreement or a prospectus for an additional issue (in case of equity participation). In such agreements, fix the amount of investor participation, the procedure for depositing funds, the procedure for assessing the contributed share with assets, the procedure for participation in the management of the company, and the rules for distributing profits.