How To Raise Seed Capital and Grow Your Startup

Even revolutionary ideas needs a little help to get rolling. When an entrepren​eur has a new business vision, he or she usually needs to raise money for development, marketing and talent management. Unless the startup founders are high rollers with years of experience, they will look to venture capital and angel investors who will guide them through the first round of funding, the seed stage. (See also: A Look into the Exciting World of Venture Capital.) There are a few guidelines that founders should listen to carefully in order to raise seed capital and grow their startup. First and foremost, leaders should be prepared before meeting with prospective investors, and have a list of references who will back the idea. Founders should get creative with funding, always willing to put themselves out there beyond a comfortable limit. 

Seed capital rounds differ from proceeding rounds quite significantly. More than a few players are involved, as multiple funds invest an average of $200 to $700K each. In addition, there are usually a few individual angel investors who invest more than just financially in the company. Angel investors usually get to know the founders and have an interest in the business that transcends the necessary belief in a high return on investment (ROI). Some distinguished angel investors include serial entrepreneurs and former CEOs who have a track record of bringing businesses public. (See also: Top 4 Venture Capital Investors and Firms.) The seed stage “plants the seed” for a startup to thrive, in order to launch business operations and show revenue data for the next rounds of funding.

Business leaders need to have specified projections and hard numbers ready on demand for venture capitalists before diving head-first into the seed capital round. A compelling business plan will include a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis (SWOT). Founders need to have a thorough understanding of how venture capitalists make investment decisions. 

Venture capitalists will need to know exactly how much funding a business will need and specific plans for allocating investment resources. A detailed cost projection will need to be explained and defended. In order to uphold credibility and shield oneself from entering an unfair deal, founders should have a strong idea of how much of the business they are wiling to give up. They should also have a clear concept of the interests and goals of the investors, and an understanding of the capital structure of proposed funding. Many upside provisions are confusing and if not understood can prevent founders from realizing future profits. (See also: Startups That Got Screwed by Venture Capital.) Everything should be based in hard numbers that give best-case and worst-case ROI scenarios to founders. The numbers will ultimately drive negotiations for the VC's percentage stock ownership.

Rob Go, partner at Next View Ventures, a seed stage investment firm, recommends on the company website that leaders develop a list of supporters prior to meeting with venture capitalists. Founders should identify references and make sure that they are on board, understand the business idea and know what to say when questioned by investors. 

Wait, isn't winning over investors what seed capital rounds are all about? Yes; however, this will be easier if businesses have established themselves prior to seed fundraising. Human psychology has shown time and time again that if someone else already went through the decision process, another will be more comfortable in making the same decision. No one wants to be the first one to take a risk, even risk-loving venture capitalists. Founders should solidify investor commitments. This way, when prospective investors make contact, the committed angels can confirm their decision to invest X amount in the startup.

Founders may strategically shoot for relatively small commitments, around $20-$50K. They should also consider giving reasonable provisions on these promises, such as “provided that the funding round is at least X and reasonable terms are met.” This will make early investors more willing to negotiate, given the downside protection. 

If a founder doesn’t have mentors and angel investors as contacts, they cannot be afraid to get out there and go to the VC community directly. Networking is the most essential tool and skill that an entrepreneur needs, ahead of business acumen. Gagan Biyani, co-founder of Udemy, a platform for online courses, told his story of seed funding wherein he was initially rejected by over 30 top investors. He wrote on the Udemy blog: “I went to every conference I could and literally killed myself while there. I attending tons of networking events and met as many entrepreneurs and investors as I could."

Startup mentorship programs and incubator firms are open for applications. Y Combinator and TechStars are two well-known programs that churn out a mass of successful startups. Many programs choose applications that receive on-premise coaching and a small investment to get the businesses off the ground, in turn for a percentage of equity ownership.

In the technology age, it's easier than ever to reach angels, who enjoy using social media channels and interacting with enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Many lesser-known VC firms focus on local entrepreneurship funding, in counties and communities outside big startup hubs like San Francisco and New York. Additionally, founders may consider the newly popularized crowdfunding method for raising seed capital. Kickstart.com and many others now act as a platform to match investors and startups. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act of 2012, lifted restrictions on investing in early-stage companies so that the common person could have the opportunity to invest. Companies that aim to raise less than $1 million in capital can do business with aspiring investors. (See also: Crowdfunding Is Changing Financing For Tech Startups.)

The presence of a lead investor is essential in seed stage rounds. In general, relatively more firms and investors are involved in seed capital funding than in other rounds. However, few actually take the reigns in “leading” the round. Leading a round means taking a risk by providing a large amount of capital in relation to other key players. VC firms that lead have the responsibility for due diligence and setting the terms for future rounds. They therefore limit their involvement as lead investors. For founders, it is vital to find a lead early on and secure other investments with strategic value add propositions later on. Leads must be completely enthusiastic about the long-term growth potential in order to take on this important role. Founders must make sure to space out exciting news and keep the momentum going throughout this courtship.

Again, it is important to keep the entrepreneurial spirit and stay optimistic without wearing away credibility with a naive sense of idealism. Business projections should include the "best worst-case scenario." Staying transparent coincides with a clear pledge by the founders that they believe in the business and will sacrifice for it. Usually in seed rounds, the business does not have a track record to fall back on, and therefore VC firms and angels rely on faith in the management team more than ever. Aspiring entrepreneurs, beef up your resume and fake it until you make it, if you haven’t already. Keeping in mind all of these tips will help a company gain traction and succeed in later rounds of funding that are essential for developing and scaling the business. (See also: Series A, B, C Funding: What It All Means and How It Works.)

Seed stage capital funding allows business leaders to hit the ground running with their new ideas. The seed stage differs from other stages in the sense that many more key players are involved, including angel investors interested in aspects of the business other than ROI. Founders should prepare well before meeting investors, by hashing out hard numbers and lining up support that will back them up to questioning VC firms. If you're an entrepreneur, you should already be inclined to get creative with your strategy, and never be hesitant to exert extra effort and confidence.