The issue of finding an investor may concern not only small businesses. Even large companies are not always able to invest their own money in a business project without losing the profitability of the main production. Business.ru tells you how and where to look for people who are ready to support your project morally and financially.

What do business investments provide?

Aspiring entrepreneurs need business investors for a number of reasons:

• Possibility of raising money necessary for the implementation of projects;
• Using the experience and knowledge of the proposed investor. If he is attracted to this project, most likely he already has a certain position and accumulated data in this area that can protect the new business from defeat;
• Business connections of the future business investor are another important component of the agreement. He can involve his business partners, potential suppliers and consumers in the implementation of his plans;
• The subjective element of investing in business projects is the possible increase in the business reputation of the customer company if the business angel turns out to be a significant figure.

But it is necessary to understand that for an investor, investing money in a new project is not an act of charity, but a reasonable allocation of capital. The ultimate goal of any investment is mutual partnership and achieving the planned result in terms of financial growth.

Who invests in business and how?

Today there are many different opportunities for finding investors:

• banks;
• business angels - bankers and private investors;
• venture funds;
• grandees;
• business sites;
• own suppliers.

Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Banks and financial organizations

These structures can act as business investors in one single way - by providing a loan.

This method is not bad for large companies that have expensive property and other fixed assets. They will easily provide the bank with collateral and repay the debt over time.

Credit institutions have very strict requirements for beginning businessmen who do not have significant assets. There are a lot of documents to collect just to get a loan. It is difficult for beginning businessmen to prepare an impeccable package of documents unless they use the services of outsourced specialists who professionally resolve all paperwork and routine issues.

Even if it is possible to obtain investment in a small business in the form of borrowed funds, the amount is often so insignificant that it does not allow the entrepreneur to successfully implement his project.

Perhaps the only option to start your own business from scratch with the help of a credit institution is to receive investment in a business project through franchising. The franchisor in this case is the bank’s partners, who offer budding entrepreneurs a profitable franchise project.

Large businessmen, business angels

If it is not possible to get a loan for business development, then you can try to contact those who are already established in business and are looking for opportunities to invest in new areas.

In this case, investments in business projects are provided according to two schemes:

• In the form of a private loan at interest with agreed terms and conditions for repayment of payments;
• As allocation of a share in a business project, that is, entering the business as a partner.

This scheme has several significant disadvantages. The main thing is that it can be very difficult to have a private conversation with such persons. Business angels do not walk the streets waiting for start-up entrepreneurs to approach them.

In addition, there is a risk that the business will not break even and you will have to pay the investor out of your own pocket. And if a businessman decides to take a share and become a full member of the project, this may also greatly reduce your rights.

State and regional funds

When a young entrepreneur wonders where to find an investor for a business from scratch, the first way to solve the problem seems to be turning to special organizations, for example, Small Business Development Funds.

But here there are many obstacles to the successful implementation of the idea:

• It is very difficult to obtain financing from specialized funds - you need to collect a lot of documents and invest your own funds in the project. If you are still focused on receiving government support, we recommend that you pay attention to the GlavAccount Assistant service. Professional accountants will help you quickly and efficiently prepare all the necessary information for your business. Help from an accounting guru is a guarantee that you will quickly receive funding and not spend a lot of personal time and effort;
• The amounts provided by such funds are usually very limited;
• Most often, regional organizations allocate money only for strictly defined types of activities, and if the project of a novice businessman does not have the appropriate OKVED code, then it is simply not considered;
• State funds, like banks, give preference to successful and well-established companies, and if you need an investor to start a business from scratch, then this project will most likely not even be considered.

Investment sites

Many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking for an investor for their business, using personal connections, relatives, acquaintances, friends, and recommendations. Although the likelihood that among your friends there will be a fairly rich and moderately risky friend who is ready to share a business with you is negligible.

Much greater opportunities are provided by special investment platforms or venture funds specifically designed to support small businesses.

On these resources, the customer uploads his project and provides, at the request of a possible investor, the necessary documents, calculations, and business plans. After personal meetings and negotiations, an agreement can be concluded.

Such portals employ professionals who preliminarily evaluate applicants and their business projects, acting as a kind of guarantor of the transaction.

The advantage of such platforms is that projects become public and the possibility of attracting interested investors increases. In addition, several partners can invest money in one business project, which will reduce investment risks. And if the project is clearly attractive, then it is put up for auction. In this situation, several investors compete for the right to invest their finances, and the borrowing rate falls.

Possible investors on these portals are not bound by the charters of credit institutions and can act at their own peril and risk, without requiring guarantees and collateral from the applicant.

Another attractive point of such platforms is that a successful startup can simply be sold there.

Various business platforms, venture funds and investment platforms are the most modern tools in finding an investor for a business. We have compiled a table of the most famous and successful online platforms.

Site name	Description
	The portal mostly publishes startups. Registration of a project requires considerable time.
	In addition to posting business projects, the portal offers transaction support.
	In addition to proposals for finding investors, there is a large selection of articles on this topic.
	By accessing the “City of Money” site, you can find a loan, receive guarantees, place a project, and participate in mutual lending.
business-platform.ru	This portal publishes offers from investors, franchises, and sells ready-made businesses.
	This Internet service is one of the first crowdfunding platforms that attracts funding for social and entrepreneurial projects. Over the course of five years, the creators of the project managed to attract more than 700 million rubles in investment.
	Federal database of investment sites.
	An investment platform with many active job seekers looking for investors and investments.
	One of the most famous crowdinvesting platforms in Russia, created in 2013 by the Internet Initiatives Development Fund. A successful alternative to banks and funds.
	The online platform “Dilzhidal Stream” is an Alfa Bank tool designed to unite its clients for the purpose of investing capital and receiving investments.
	Crowdinvesting platform, the volume of attracted investments is 718 million rubles. Membership in the club is on a paid basis.
	An international platform that does not set a minimum investment volume, projects are selected by voting by users of the crowdinvesting platform. Borrowing at a fixed rate and investing at a percentage of profit are used.
	This is a new service for p2b lending, currently operating in test mode.

Portals for posting investor proposals

Among the modern means of finding financial resources for business projects, there are other platforms - here investors themselves place offers. For example, the “Business Platform” presents many different invitations to partnership - in the form of investments and loans in real sector projects, loans and financing offers, applications for purchasing a business and searching for interesting business projects.

Owners of investment sites usually have a small percentage of income from the sale of offers.

Grants as business investments

The search for investors to implement ideas can be carried out through obtaining grants, both private and government or even foreign.

Typically, in this case, the new direction must have a social aspect or successfully imitate it.

Foreign funds consider the targeted use of funds allocated for a business plan to be a priority. These are, for example, the Microsoft Seed Investment Fund led by Bill Gates, the Ford Foundation, and George Soros' Renaissance Foundation.

State grants are allocated on behalf of the Committees for the Development of Small and Medium Businesses, Economic Development, Industrial Policy and Trade, and some municipalities.

Examples of private grants in the field of scientific medicine, nuclear and space technologies can be the Skolkovo Foundation or, as private investments in business projects from a private investor, grants from the founder of Telegram and VKontakte Pavel Durov for young IT startups.

Own suppliers as investors in business projects

Even your own suppliers can act as investors to start a business. This scheme is possible, for example, when goods are delivered for sale without advance payment or in the case of renting premises with a deferred payment period.

Thus, you can find an investor to start a business not only by directly raising funds, but also through trade credit, deferred payments and any other forms of natural loans. Finding such business angels is much easier and cheaper than attracting investments in business projects or convincing banks.

How to find an investor for a business

Finding investors for a business is not an easy task. Investors are looking for more profitable investment options than traditional instruments - deposits, mutual funds, etc. - can provide.

Therefore, young entrepreneurs must not only motivate investors to invest money. Ideally, when an experienced businessman becomes an ideological partner and strategic ally, then the alliance of ideas and finance will be mutually beneficial.

First of all, a novice businessman must prepare a detailed business plan, which will help present his idea clearly and easily. It must meet the following characteristics:

• be unique and in demand;
• reflect the full amount of required investments;
• stipulate the timing of the project;
• contain a comprehensive calculation of expected profit;
• in one way or another to guarantee a return on investment.

An example of a business plan for an investment project can be found.

Stages of concluding an investment agreement

When a novice businessman has found an investor for a small business, the following relationship scheme comes into force:

• it is necessary to negotiate with the investor and choose the optimal form of cooperation;
• conclude an investment agreement;
• receive funds and start implementing a business project.

Negotiations with a business investor

An aspiring entrepreneur should be well prepared for the first meeting with a potential investor, because the final result depends on the quality of the negotiations.

The applicant must be convincing and responsible for every word in the business plan; this is the only way to prove the prospects of the project. The applicant should prepare all the necessary documents for these important negotiations. It can be:

• the business plan itself;
• commercial proposals and draft contracts;
• draft investment agreement;
• constituent documents of the company.

Search and selection of the optimal form of cooperation

There are several forms of cooperation between the applicant and the investor. The latter can receive income in the form of:

• The full amount of interest received concurrently with the repayment of all investments received.
• Regular interest paid throughout the life of the project.
• Obtaining an agreed share in the business.

Conclusion of an investment agreement

If the negotiations were successful and a common opinion on the form of cooperation was reached, the next stage is the actual signing of the investment agreement.

This document is very important for further fruitful work. It would be great if you could involve a professional lawyer in drafting it.

The main points that must be recorded in the agreement:

• agreed terms of cooperation and the possibility of their extension;
• amounts and procedure for making financial investments in a business project;
• rights and obligations of both parties;
• guarantee of the intended use of funds;
• procedure for resolving disputes under this agreement.

Here you can find the investment agreement form for a business project and real estate investment.

Risks of investment agreements

When the question of how to find an investor to start a business has been decided, it is important to assess its risks before signing an agreement.

Of course, the biggest risk in signing the agreement and financing is borne by the investor. But experienced businessmen, as a rule, are able to competently assess financial risks, which are broadly divided into two types:

• market or systemic;
• non-market (non-systemic).

Market ones are precisely related to the level of inflation, the balance of power in the political arena, changes in interest rates and currency quotes. These risks must be calculated before signing the agreement, since it is impossible to influence them.

Unsystematic risks are more subjective and inherent to a specific industry. They can be minimized and eliminated when changing the development strategy.

For small business news, we have launched a special channel on Telegram and groups in

Finding investors for a business: 4 basic steps for searching + 9 sources of start-up capital.

Finding investors for business with the presence of brilliant ideas, a lot of energy and a great desire to develop, it will not require much work.

It is carried out at the initial stage of implementation of a new business project, when the problem of a lack of funds arises.

In this article we will tell you in more detail which investors will help make your dream come true.

How to find an investor for a business and how to interest him?

Every person strives to replenish his “wallet” by any means possible, especially when it comes to an investor.

Who has almost all his finances in work, thereby regularly replenishing his owner’s bank account, provided that he does not have to do anything for this.

Typically, people use this type of saving and increasing funds after they are faced with the interest that banks give for keeping it on deposit.

After all, such income barely compensates for the level of inflation.

An investor should be treated as a full partner.

On the one hand, an idea is invested in cooperation, and on the other, money.

Therefore, such a process is mutually beneficial for everyone.

Experts say that a successful search for investors for a business depends on a professionally prepared and presented presentation that can convince the investor about the profitability of the investment.

There are several points to keep in mind for investors:

• creativity and uniqueness of the future business;
• deposit amount;
• payback period for a new idea;
• detailed calculation of income.

If weighty arguments are found according to the above criteria, then we can assume that the person will unconditionally agree to cooperate.

Finding an investor to invest in a business: 4 basic steps

Action #1: Develop a Plan

Develop a plan that will subsequently be presented to the investor.

The presented presentation must convince the potential investor of the profitability and quick payback of the project.

An example of information that a business plan for an investor should contain:

A business plan for this purpose is somewhat different from the standard one.

First of all, volume.

It is believed that a document longer than 15-20 pages will “work” much less effectively than its “brother.”

Also, the difference is that this is a guide, like a step-by-step instruction for the entrepreneur himself.

But the plan prepared for investors is a marketing tool.

It should not just describe the business, but present it attractively.

For this purpose, applications, graphs, plates, and diagrams are actively used.

It is better to entrust the creation of such a document to specialized intermediary companies.

Action #2: What type of investor is needed?

Decide what kind of investor is needed to develop the idea.

For example, you can find a depositor who will provide funds for the purchase of necessary equipment for a business or expansion of an enterprise at a specified interest rate.

Or find an investor who will sponsor the business and become a co-owner in the future.

You should determine the direction in finding a investor and the specifics of your cooperation.

Action No. 3: Help from experienced businessmen

“The main thing is not the effect, but the effectiveness of actions.”
Farhad Akhmedov

Seek advice and guidance from experienced businessmen who have been working in this direction for many years.

They will help point out possible risks or simply suggest how to find an investor for a business. .

Action #4: Specialized services

Post the project and a brief description on specialized startup databases and forums for searching for business investors.

After this, after some time, maybe you will receive a call from an investor about interest in investing money in a start-up business.

We present the most popular specialized services for posting an idea and finding an investor:

1. https://www.investclub.ru/view.php?id=10639 – the site will help you find an investor for any type of business activity.

https://starttrack.ru/ – StartTrack 725 helps to conclude deals between the founder and a person who is ready to invest money in the project being presented.

To date, there are 800 investors on the site and 40 projects are on display.

The portal contains 4,325 projects, of which 1,423 need investment.

https://www.napartner.ru/ is the very first startup exchange on the Russian market.

The innovative ideas website features 1,239 investors, 9,983 “innovators” and 500 business ideas.

There is also a section where you can purchase an already completed business.

https://www.askcap.ru/ is one of the largest investor search databases in the country.

The website contains profiles of 6,512 ideas, the lion's share of which are available for consideration only after authorization on the portal.

Technology parks, incubators, accelerators, and venture funds cooperate with Askcap.

https://angel.co/ – this service is the progenitor of the above investor search sites.

The portal contains 1,600 startups and 421 investors from the Russian Federation.

Where to look for investors for a business?

Before looking for an investor for a business, you need to contact specialists in the economic sector who will calculate and draw up a detailed action plan.

Friends and loved ones

Finding an investor for a business is not an easy task.

It would be wise to involve all relatives and friends in such a process.

This is the most advantageous method that will reduce the expected risks to a minimum.

In addition, if the implementation of an idea requires small investments, you can interest your comrades in the profitability of the project and offer to invest their hard-earned money in promoting the business.

Naturally, at a certain monthly percentage.

Businessmen with experience

It is either big, there are businessmen who are firmly on the trading “platform” and want the already earned finances not just to sit in the bank, but to generate additional income every month.

You should warm up the person to the new idea and offer to make a contribution on terms beneficial to both parties.

Or, if the investor wishes, make him a partner.

But the latter option can fetter and limit the actions of the business founder himself.

This step should only be taken in extreme cases.

Funds

One way to find an investor for a business is through investment funds or funds founded to support start-up entrepreneurs.

But to do this, you need to provide compelling arguments that your project is vital to society.

You should know that often when contacting this organization, a businessman must already have some initial capital and be willing to invest in his business.

That is, this method is more suitable for existing enterprises that want to expand their trading area and product range.

To receive assistance, you must also provide a plan and analysis of the existing company.

Do not forget to monitor the work of investment funds, which may hold competitions and select promising works.

Who knows, maybe you'll be lucky.

Let's look at the most popular funds that have helped many budding entrepreneurs:

https://www.runacap.com/

The founder of the fund is Russian businessman Sergei Belousov.

He introduced brands such as Rolsen to the world and is the creator of Parallels (a platform for hosting cloud services).

If you manage to cooperate with this company, then there is no doubt about its profitability.

After moving from Murmansk to Moscow, Igor Matsanyuk founded a foundation specialized in games, services and applications for phones.

If an entrepreneur has a creative idea related to computer technology, then this fund is just for him.

1. https://www.kiteventures.com/ is another fund for business development.

Business incubators

There are already more than a hundred business incubators in the Russian Federation.

These are structures that are created to help start-up companies get started.

Business incubators offer their residents:

• renting premises at a reduced price (and in some cases – free of charge);
• meeting rooms;
• support in establishing contact with investors and buyers;
• consultations in consulting and information matters.

The key difference between a business incubator and other forms of investor assistance is the participation of people who mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

They function not just as “finance providers”, but also as development partners and business mentors.

If you need support from experienced businessmen, contact the following business incubators:

• https://www.osp.ru/news/2010/0913/13003512/
• https://inc.hse.ru/
• https://www.inmsu.ru/ru/
• https://www.rea.ru/ru/org/managements/orgnirupr/Pages/bi.aspx
• https://www.ranepa.ru/kto-ya-2/student-bakalavriata/studencheskaya-zhizn-v-akademii/biznes-inkubator
• https://rb.ru/incubator/incube/
• https://theoryandpractice.ru/organizations/3940-biznes-inkubator-incube-ankh

Bank as an investor

When there is not even the slightest idea or all of the above options have been considered, then a bank loan is one of the options for obtaining the desired amount.

But getting it is not so easy.

Banks often make excessive demands on the borrower, which the latter cannot always cope with.

To apply for a loan, the bank provides:

• guarantor
• deposit amount,
• package of relevant documents.

If bank requirements are not met, then you can be left without a business, and even with a huge debt.

A bank loan is ideal for starting a small business that does not require major capital investments.

Finding investors for a business is quite a labor-intensive task that requires enormous patience and perseverance.

It is necessary to carefully consider each of the available options and calculate possible financial losses.

If all this is done, then there is a huge chance of finding a profitable investor.

Investors among foreign businessmen

If all possible methods have been tried, but you still can’t find an investor, then you should turn to foreign entrepreneurs for help.

In the case of foreign investors, you can forget about your previous triumphs.

Such people look exclusively at real achievements in business.

Also, only those projects that can bring multi-million dollar profits (preferably in US currency) are usually considered.

A business idea does not necessarily have to be in a technological direction.

Any ideas that multiply the investor’s capital many times over are considered.

Foreign investors will never invest their capital in a project based only on the ambitions of the creator of the idea.

Exclusively the numbers and facts from the prepared business plan will be strong arguments for concluding cooperation.

You can look for foreign investors for your business idea on the following sites:

• https://investgo24.com/ is an international portal that will help you find investments for your idea.
• https://start2up.ru/ - will help you find a person who is ready to invest money in a business, not only in the regions of Russia, but also abroad.
• https://www.magnat.su/ – using this site you can find not only foreign partners, but also put your own business up for sale.

By franchise

Finding investors for a business using this method guarantees rapid development and a start to enter the market platform under the auspices of a well-known brand.

Banks are happy to provide finance for the development of a franchise business.

This is one of the few cases when the latter without any problems provides the necessary funds to open a company.

And that's not all: a deferred payment period of six months is provided.

With the help of this, a novice businessman will be able to direct his strength and energy to promoting his brainchild.

Thereby speeding up the process of repaying the debt to the bank.

To obtain this type of loan, you must appoint one guarantor, and the bank is guaranteed to approve the application.

How does this method work?

Let's say a novice businessman has a promising and creative idea related to the engineering industry.

The founder contacts the authorized company (eg Porsche).

He demonstrates a presentation of his idea to its representative.

And if a company is interested in this innovation, it can give its patronage to the project in the form of financial assistance or allow the use of the official logo of the company.

When a new firm has such a patron behind it, banks consider it reliable enough to provide the necessary loan.

You will also learn from the video who an investor is and how to look for one:

Finding an investor for a business- this is not an easy matter.

Of course, you can do without outside help if you save the necessary amount and open a small grocery store.

But if the founder has a different task, then the search should be carried out in all possible places with the involvement of a large number of people.

You can also shift this task onto someone else’s shoulders and contact a specialized company that can find an investor to implement the project.

Useful article? Don't miss new ones!
Enter your email and receive new articles by email

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%. No, thanks!

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(recipe for 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, since everything may be in order according to the papers. After this, they publish a proposal, which investors evaluate, usually within two weeks, ask clarifying questions and either finance the project or not. See . 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, the 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 develop himself. 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 government 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, 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.

How to make your business proposal attractive and find a private investor? Where and how do you search for investors for startups? Who can help if I'm looking for an investor to open a business in Moscow?

Hello everyone who visited our site! Denis Kuderin is in touch, an investment specialist.

Let's continue the topic of investing. In the new article I will try to answer in detail the question of how to find an investor for business projects, startups and other commercial endeavors.

The publication will be useful for both beginning entrepreneurs and those who already have experience in promoting and developing their own business.

So, let's begin!

1. Why are they looking for an investor?

Any business needs financial support. Without attracting funds, the full development of the project is impossible - it will simply die in its infancy.

Saving money and patiently waiting for the right moment is not an option: in business, time is the most important factor for success. While you save money, your niche will certainly be occupied by agile competitors.

There is nothing wrong with a lack of finances. Even the largest modern companies (for example, Google) at the debut stage developed exclusively at the expense of third-party capital.

Young and promising enterprises almost always feel a shortage of finances: as a rule, this is balanced by an excess of promising ideas. Today, the process of finding investors has been greatly simplified - there are hundreds of funds and companies ready to provide their resources to budding businessmen.

However, these funds do not provide money to every businessman. First, you need to convince your partner to cooperate with you, prove that your project is better, more promising and more interesting than that of your competitors, and provide a competent business plan.

And since most investors are professionals with extensive experience, they are able to almost accurately determine where it is better to invest in order to get a guaranteed profit.

Remember: foundations and private investors are not engaged in charity: they are interested in a full and, as quickly as possible, return on their investments.

Any sources of financing - credit institutions, venture capital companies, business angels - are interested in the return of their assets and do not give out money without sufficient commercial grounds. The exception is organizations that issue grants, but it is even more difficult to win their attention.

Natural questions arise:

• How exactly to attract an investor to your business?
• how to talk to an investor so as not to get rejected?
• where is it better to contact – investment funds, banks, directly to businessmen, friends and acquaintances?

I will try to answer these questions (and some others) in subsequent sections of this publication.

2. What might interest an investor?

Why do some entrepreneurs manage to find money in a matter of days, while others spend years looking for financial support for (at first glance) promising projects?

It’s not a matter of natural charm at all (more precisely, not only of it). Getting an investor interested is a whole science or even an art. First of all, investors need guarantees that their money will work.

Every investor needs to know everything about business participants - their professional and organizational abilities, motivation and goals.

When turning to partners for support, entrepreneurs should prepare in advance:

1. Presentation of your project– an intriguing introduction to the essence and meaning of the upcoming business is half the success.
2. Competent business plan: This document, among other things, must contain specific indicators that the company intends to achieve over a certain period.
3. A realistic plan for spending the funds received– the investor must know where the funds provided to him will go.

Your partners do not need excessive information, but you should have ready-made answers to any possible question from the investor. Excessive optimism will also not inspire confidence: do not try to inflate possible profits and do not remain silent about possible risks.

Try to interest the investor in the originality of your idea, but also remember that too radical innovations may scare away conservative lenders.

Example

A startup developer begins a conversation with an investor with the following phrase: “I want to provide you with a product that has never been on the market before!” It sounds impressive, but an experienced businessman will immediately be wary. He knows that there is usually nothing on the market for which there is no demand.

Even if your product is truly unique, be prepared to prove it to your potential partner with facts. Think in advance about how you will deal with objections and conduct a personal risk analysis.

When starting your search, it is also advisable to immediately determine the circle of people who will be interested in your offer. Your actions must be purposeful. You can search for partners on your own or with the assistance of professional consultants.

3. How to find an investor - step-by-step instructions for beginning businessmen

By acting consistently, competently and, as they say, “according to science,” you will achieve results much faster. The main rule when looking for sources of financing is to take into account the interests of the investor. Remember that the person providing the loan is always guided by commercial considerations.

Your potential partners do not need innovation; they are not concerned at all with your well-being, but with multiplying and preserving their own funds. Many of them are not at all interested in new business ideas, since they are already mortally tired of active commerce.

Investors have already earned money through their own labor and now simply want to receive passive income from their assets. At the same time, they are interested in ways that will bring more money than mutual funds, banks and other traditional investment areas.

Your task is to convince your partners that you will provide them with such income.

Step 1. Create a clear business plan

A business plan is the first thing investors pay attention to. If you do not have a well-designed development strategy, your chances of success in seeking financial support will be minimal.

The plan should contain the following items:

• the essence of the proposed idea;
• the size of the required investments;
• commercial benefit for the investor;
• approximate payback period and first profit;
• prospects for the company's development.

Experts advise paying attention to every detail, right down to the execution of documents: it is recommended to print them on high-quality paper and accompany them with professional graphic design.

Step 2. Decide on a suitable form of cooperation

There are various ways of interaction between the recipient of the investment and the investor. It is necessary to decide in advance which form will be most effective for your company.

Some investors give money at interest, others may demand a share in the business or commissions on future earnings. Having chosen the most acceptable cooperation model for you, be sure to indicate it in the plan.

Remember that a new businessman needs to be flexible: if an investor insists on a particular form of interaction, it may be worth meeting him halfway.

Step 3. We turn to experienced businessmen for help

A beginner will be best understood by experienced entrepreneurs who have been working in your chosen niche for a long time. Many successful businessmen willingly give advice to neophytes if they are planning a mutually beneficial partnership in the future.

Even if the “senior friend”, after listening to the business idea, does not decide to make direct investments, he will certainly provide you with valuable parting words or wishes that will bring success in the future. In addition, he may recommend your candidacy to others.

Step 4. Negotiate

A positive response to an investment proposal often depends on skillfully conducted negotiations.

Even if you have no problems communicating with people, you need to prepare in advance for a conversation with a potential investor. As I already said, you will need answers to possible questions and logical arguments in favor of the viability of your startup.

At the first meeting with a potential partner, you will be expected to make a competent presentation. You will not go wrong if you invite a specialist to participate in the presentation of the project, who will clearly and clearly explain all the nuances of your idea.

Step 5. Conclude an agreement

The culmination of the meeting is the signing of investment documents or a cooperation agreement. I think there is no need to remind you that the contract should be read, not skimmed. It is even better if a professional lawyer gets acquainted with it.

The contract must indicate:

• investment amount;
• terms of interaction;
• rights and obligations of partners.

According to the document, the money is transferred to the customer under certain conditions. The essence of these conditions is that funds are invested specifically in business (production, equipment, creation of an online project).

The investor must be sure that his assets will not be used (even partially) for outside needs - for example, to pay the debts of the head of a startup.

4. Where to find an investor - 5 proven ways

We have come to the next most important question - where to find an investor? The short (albeit banal) answer is as follows: you can find a business investor anywhere.

You just need to look around carefully and you will see how much free money is spinning in the financial space. These funds are just waiting to be “taken into circulation” by energetic and enterprising people, which (I sincerely believe) are our readers.

Let's consider the most popular ways to attract financial resources to your project.

Method 1. Friends and relatives

It is unlikely, of course, that you have heard such a phrase from your friends: “I wish I could become an investor in some promising startup.” However, the inner circle is exactly the area where you should begin your search.

This is especially true for young and novice businessmen, whose number of real contacts in the business world is usually zero. But almost everyone has friends or relatives who have the amounts necessary for an initial deposit.

And often these people do not know where to put their “free” money. Due to the low level of financial literacy, citizens of the Russian Federation sometimes do not even suspect that their existing assets can and should be increased by making smart investments.

However, everyone strives to protect their finances from inflation. Your goal is to convince your friends to become business partners. I agree, the task is not an easy one: in our country, even close people often do not trust each other. But this is no more difficult than borrowing money from a bank or investment fund.

My only advice is to not promise mountains of gold to your friends, uncles, aunts and cousins. Be realistic. Treat your loved ones as official investors: you can even provide them with a full-fledged business plan to dispel any doubts.

Method 2. Experienced entrepreneurs

Even in the smallest city there are people who own successful businesses and have already amassed a substantial fortune. Experienced entrepreneurs understand that money should work, and not lie as a dead weight.

Successful businessmen are always looking for where to invest their capital so that it brings stable profits without much labor. Your task is to make such people believe in your business idea and invest in a new endeavor.

There are two main partnership options:

• take money in the form of a long-term loan;
• offer equity participation in the project.

In the second case, your freedom of action will be significantly limited, but experienced businessmen are more willing to engage in such cooperation.

Read more about this method of searching for investors in the article “”.

Method 3. Investment funds

Such structures often specialize in assisting small and medium-sized businesses. To receive money from an investment fund, you need to prove to its representatives the viability of your project.

This option is more suitable for those who already have an existing business, but do not have enough funds to develop it. For a positive decision on the part of the organization’s management, you, again, will have to carry out thorough preparatory work.

Namely, to analyze the company’s work and draw up a plan for its development or reconstruction.

Method 4. Business incubators

Incubators and technology parks are ways to organize a favorable business environment for aspiring businessmen. In incubators, the development of businessmen occurs quickly and painlessly. Beginners get a chance to realize their own ideas at minimal cost.

Every major city has one or more business incubators. They may be called Entrepreneurship Development Centers or something else, but their essence is the same - to help neophytes create their own business or enterprise.

Technology parks are usually based at universities or research institutions. Their task is to introduce into practice production developments related to hi-tech (high technology). Thanks to technology parks, large industrial companies benefit from the achievements of small, knowledge-intensive businesses.

Most Russian institutions of this type were created with state support.

Method 5. Banks

The most traditional way to find funds for a business. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get a loan.

Typical requirements of financial organizations for recipients of loans for business activities:

• availability of collateral;
• impeccable credit history;
• reliable guarantors.

In addition, such loans are issued at high interest rates (average rate - 17%).

Sometimes it’s easier to get a consumer loan: simpler, but not cheaper. After all, if things suddenly don’t work out, you’ll have to repay not only the debt, but also the accrued interest.

If this prospect does not scare you, then my advice is to borrow money from companies where you already have an account. Or contact large financial organizations - Sberbank, .

The table shows the most popular loan products for debutants of small and large businesses:

5. Alternative sources of investment - what are they?

It is not always possible to find an investor or a sufficient amount to implement your plans. In such situations, try to get help from alternative sources.

These include:

• state funds to support entrepreneurship;
• grants from private companies;
• companies offering to open a franchise business.

In Moscow and some other cities there are committees and centers for promoting small/medium businesses. These organizations are ready to act as guarantors for loans and sometimes even provide subsidies to pay off interest rates.

Some companies (in particular, " Support of Russia") they themselves are even ready to give money for promising projects. Applicants for subsidies are selected on a competitive basis.

Grant is the most desirable option for young businessmen. The advantage of such assistance is that the grant does not need to be repaid; it is free of charge.

Finance is allocated from budget funds and directed to the development of priority business areas for a particular region or city. Large regional and metropolitan universities often act as intermediaries in issuing free loans.

There are also international organizations of a similar nature - for example, the Scientific Potential Foundation.

There is a separate material on the site.

Self-confidence, creativity and a well-developed business idea: these are the main success factors in finding an investor. The investor must understand that he is not throwing money away, but is investing it in a profitable and worthwhile business.

To help future businessmen, we have collected the most practical advice on attracting third-party subsidies.

Tip 1. Regularly visit places where potential investors gather

Large cities regularly host events to help newcomers meet the right people. Not only investors hang out on such platforms, but also mentors, mentors, experts and other useful people.

The development of information technology greatly simplifies the task of entrepreneurs. There are many intermediary resources online, with the help of which investors look for investment properties and vice versa.

Tip 2. Gather a team of professionals who are passionate about one idea

Teamwork is always more effective than “solo” projects. An example of this is our website “HeatherBeaver”, which works thanks to the coordinated actions of like-minded people.

People who share each other’s views and are passionate about the same idea often make more correct and far-sighted decisions, overcome difficulties more successfully and achieve the desired results faster.

Tip 3: Don't be afraid to pitch your idea to funders

Do not be afraid that you will not be understood, and do not make your project a mystery shrouded in darkness. Openness appeals to investors. If you trust your financial benefactors, they will trust you too.

Tip 4. Don’t set yourself the task of achieving everything at once

This refers to the ability to be patient and flexible. It will be great if you offer the investor several options for business development at once.

Remember also that gradual and systematic movement is more productive than running headlong over rough terrain.

Tip 5. Competently justify the advantages of your startup

If you can clearly and simply explain the advantages and unique properties of your startup, you will gain a competitive advantage over other applicants.

Lack of an original idea and sluggish presentation are the main reasons for failures in finding a source of funding.

And for clarity, a video on the topic of searching for investors with the participation of the famous businessman Vladimir Dovgan.

7. Who can provide professional assistance in finding an investor?

If you find it difficult or impossible to find financial sources for your business, you should seek professional help.

There are platforms on the Internet for those who:

• wishes to invest funds;
• looking for investment;
• wants to find a business partner.

Let's look at the most famous Russian-language resources of this type.

Notice board for investors, startupers, entrepreneurs in need of business partners. The service helps people with finances invest money in profitable projects. And vice versa - budding businessmen can find generous investors here to support their projects.

Advertisements are divided by region and business area. Activities include Internet and IT, Culture and Art, Science, Real Estate, Education and dozens of other promising areas.

Among the participants are hundreds of businessmen and investors from Russia, Belarus and European countries. Placing advertisements is free. Simply register on the site, and your chances of finding investors or business partners will increase many times over.