Question: How can one with a limited track record attract investors/investors as a sponsor/fundraiser?
This is a question many people (including me ask or sometimes are afraid to ask, so I thought I'd share what my network says about the matter. (The newest responses will be at the top.) Interested in answering? Email me!
eMarv's view - First of all, it will probably be difficult, but definitely not impossible. Nothing is totally impossible for the determined person (unless it is physically impossible, but then again…) A good, diverse network would help. Graduating with a Wharton MBA may help. As Donald Trump has often stated, he graduated from Wharton with many smart people, but most have not been as successful. Why? Because they haven't had the sheer determination, confidence and fearlessness that he has had. The fact is that you simply cannot accept failure as an option. If you are turned down by the first, second, third, 50th, 100th private equity company, you must keep going until someone says yes. The important matter is to learn from all of the negative responses you have received. Ask the person, what would have made your proposal more attractive. Was it the tact, approach, pitch, presentation, the way you dressed, acted, smelled, or was it the actual proposal? The key is to learn and improve. Tap into your network and ask (as I am doing now): What would it take to get your “baby” funded? Find your industry leaders and ask them for advice. (Most people are interested in sharing thoughts.) It may difficult to get to them, but the effort is worth it. Things that are worth having are often difficult to obtain. But this should work to your advantage since most other people will only look for the easy option and will not pursue something that is perceived as too difficult, hard, time-consuming or [insert any other excuse here]. —
Marvin Corea 2008/01/02 15:22
