Steps You Need To Take To Acquire Series A Investment Financing

One of the most classic errors businesses make when raising Series A funding is believing that it involves the same strategy as a Seed round. Series A rounds pose unique challenges, and like any other funding stage, preparation is key.

This guide will help ensure you approach this round ready to secure the capital you need.

Preparation Stage For Creating Your Series A  Funding Pitch

Following a seed round, series A is ultimately useful for optimizing product and user base. It is therefore important that you have a business model that demonstrates your ability to generate long-term profit. This goes beyond demonstrating great ideas at the seed level and requires you to really show how to monetize the business.

What to Include in your Business Plan To Successfully Get The Capital You Need

Creating Your Business Plan For Investors

This should simply be a short summary of your business and your project, documenting what you have achieved so far and your plan for the next 12 – 18 months 
 
Executive Team

In this section, introduce those in your Executive Team, and any relevant qualifications and achievements. Identify how your team could change upon securing investment.  

What is the problem you are solving? 

This section helps investors get a clearer understanding of where your business fits into the market.  
 
Size of the market opportunity

Clearly identify who your target market is and how they can purchase your product or service. 
 
Product Overview

Consider what is unique about your technology? What makes it special? 
 
Value proposition

How do you appeal to your target market and why would they choose your product over your competitors? 
 
Business model

Consider all possible cost structures and revenue possibilities when detailing your business model. This should show how your business is going to make money.  

For a more detailed analysis on how to present your business model, check out our guide here.

Competitor Analysis

Who are your main competitors? What are their weaknesses? What are your comparative strengths? 
 
Risks to your business 

Investors will want to know that you understand and appreciate that there are always risks. How will you deal with them? 
 
Level of Funding 

How much capital are you looking for and how will you spend it?  
 
Previous Funding Rounds 

Give details about your previous funding rounds, including who your investors were and when it occurred.

Pitch Deck 

Aside from your business model, investors will need to see a strong, persuasive Pitch Deck. For an in-depth analysis of exactly what to include, check out our How to Write a Pitch Deck guide. At its core, a pitch deck should include the following: 

Company Overview:

1. 1. Company Mission 
   2. Your Team 
   3. The Problem 
   4. The Solution  
   5. The Market Value 
   6. The Product 
   7. Customers 
   8. The Technology 
   9. Competitors 
   10. Traction 
   11. Business Model 
   12. Marketing 
   13. Finances  

Approaching Investors 

When it comes to approaching investors, we believe that businesses should try to talk to as many partners as possible, as this enables you to practice techniques on those who are not priorities. We also advise going for diversity in the investors you approach. This will allow you to meet people with a range of ideas and focusses, allowing you to better understand what it is that VCs are looking for and allow you to plan accordingly.

Before you approach these investors, be prepared with the following:

A clear plan of involvement 

Make it clear to a potential investor what you need and what you want from them, besides just capital. If they have expertise in your field, tell them that you want to work with them because of your overlapping passions and would like guidance in your project. 

An understanding of what type of ventures they are looking for 

This should come early in your search. There is no point approaching an investor who specializes in services when you are a specialized product venture. This will save you time and resources by knowing who to target. 

Knowledge of their investment criteria  

Researching previous investments can help shine a light on exactly what they look for in companies. If they favor attributes like a strong executive team or product design, you can know who is best suited to your venture, and what to focus on during your pitch. 

Why do Businesses Fail at Getting Series A Funding?  

Most businesses fail to achieve Series A funding, regardless of their initial angel or seed-stage rounds. Here are some of the main reasons for this failure. 

The skill-set of the team is not fully developed 

In the eyes of the investor, you may have been unable to demonstrate all the necessary skills deemed important for advancing your business. 

You have not convinced the investor of the potential for growth 

While you may have developed a great product and have a top quality team, some businesses may forget to focus on the growth potential of the business. Ultimately, series A investors are paying most attention to this. 

Lack of in-market validation of the product  

Market validation should always be done before introducing a product. This should take a minimum of four to eight weeks to complete. If you cannot show evidence of validation, you will not be able to convince investors to participate in your project. 

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