10 Things Investors Will Ask You

by Amy Kwan

Do you ever wonder what investors will ask during your pitch?  Here’s a list of commonly asked questions to keep in mind when prepping for your pitch:

1.     What is your business all about?

This is your 30-second elevator pitch.  Make sure you grab the investors’ attention!

2.     What is unique or different about your business?

Explain what makes you special and why.  This is your value proposition.  Why should anyone care about your business?

3.     Who are your competitors?

Do you know whom you’re up against?  How do their products differ?  Do your research.

4.     What is the market potential?

Identify how big your market is.  Sell your case.  Make sure to tell investors how you calculated the market potential.

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5.     Have you talked to potential customers? What is their reaction to your prototype?

Investors are looking for traction.  This is where you can show you’ve gotten good feedback.

6.     What is your marketing strategy?

Show a timeline of events or strategy of what you’re going to do.  You want to make sure you have a plan in place.

7.     Who is on the team? What are their backgrounds?

The team makes all the difference.  Investors want to know who are the founders and who are on the team.  Do you plan to scale up?  Be prepared to talk to how quickly you plan on growing the team.

8.     How much money are you raising?

This is critical information.  Make sure you’re able to explain how you came up with this number.

9.     How much progress will the funding provide?

Explain how this funding will help you.  Think about your deliverables.

10. What are the primary risks?

Be sure you’ve thought about all risks (e.g. technology shifts, business climate changes, product liability, financial risk, etc).