Five things NOT to say to investors (2024)

Five things NOT to say to investors (1)

Serial investor Magnus Kjøller receives more than 500 cases annually, and in many cases has founders an unrealistic view of their own business when they apply for capital. Entrepreneurs must remember to maintain humility when they come hat in hand and ask for others people's money.

A good pitch is important when you are seeking funding for your business, but a bad pitch can quickly become the end of a possible investment. Magnus Kjøller, who has invested in more than 50 companies, tells here what not to say to an investor at the first meeting, if you like will keep the dialogue going.

“It can't go wrong”

  • Most startups fail. So yes, it can easily go wrong. Present an interesting case with great business potential, but be realistic and back up your announcements with data. Is there "proof of concept" or not? Most investors know that projections are not guarantees, and they must be based on rational and verifiable assumptions, says Magnus Kjøller.

"We have no competitors"

  • Investors can quickly see when entrepreneurs are being unrealistic. Any
    viable company has (or will have) competitors, then if they don't exist, the product is either a bad idea, the market has not yet been developed, or the entrepreneur has not done his homework, says Magnus Kjøller.

"I need a director's salary"

  • As an investor, the red lights really flash if the founder budgets with a giant
    hire already before there is turnover and the product has come off the ramp. We
    does not invest in a company with the potential to pay an excessively high salary to the founder from day one, says Magnus Kjøller

"We need capital - not your help"

  • As an entrepreneur you should be open to the inputs and the experience a potential investor comes along. The partnership can create value on several fronts in addition to capital, that is only part of the puzzle.
  • At Kjøller, we invest with capital and know-how. We are entrepreneurs ourselves and we bring would like to bring our skills and network to the table, without interfering unnecessarily in the operation at our portfolio companies, says Magnus Kjøller.

"We don't know our unique selling points yet"

  • There is competition in the market. The question is why you are unique and how you differentiates you from the competition. Why is your team, your business process, your product and your service better than the others? You must know that, and you must be able to sell it externally quite concretely, concludes Magnus Kjøller.

Kjøller is not industry-specific and has ownership in 30 portfolio companies both in Denmark, England and India, which collectively employ more than 700 people. Do you have an exciting company, and if you are looking for growth capital, send your case to Kjøller.

Rhis blog has been translated by Startup Central.

Similar blogs

Choose blog category

Five things NOT to say to investors (2024)

FAQs

Five things NOT to say to investors? ›

Say: “I have no competitors.”

We've all heard this: 'if you have no competition, you have no market.” Besides, if your product asks for anything from a customer, be it money, time, or attention, you are by default in competition with all of the other things a customer could be doing with that money, time and attention.

What not to say to an investor? ›

Say: “I have no competitors.”

We've all heard this: 'if you have no competition, you have no market.” Besides, if your product asks for anything from a customer, be it money, time, or attention, you are by default in competition with all of the other things a customer could be doing with that money, time and attention.

What to say when an investor says no? ›

Stay Positive and Keep Updating: Politely ask if you can keep the investor updated on your progress, even if they've said no. This shows persistence and keeps the door open for future opportunities.

What are investors concerned with? ›

Market volatility: Many investors worry about the ups and downs of the stock market. They don't like seeing their investments lose value and they worry that the market will never recover. 2. Inflation: Another big concern for investors is inflation.

What do you say to investors? ›

When speaking with potential investors, be sure to explain the details of your plan in a clear and concise manner. Avoid using too much jargon or overly technical language. Investors want to know the basics of your plan and how you intend to use their money. Second, avoid overstating the potential of your business.

What are the 5 mistakes investors make? ›

5 Investing Mistakes You May Not Know You're Making
  • Overconcentration in individual stocks or sectors. When it comes to investing, diversification works. ...
  • Owning stocks you don't want. ...
  • Failing to generate "tax alpha" ...
  • Confusing risk tolerance for risk capacity. ...
  • Paying too much for what you get.

What are the three golden rules for investors? ›

The golden rules of investing
  • Keep some money in an emergency fund with instant access. ...
  • Clear any debts you have, and never invest using a credit card. ...
  • The earlier you get day-to-day money in order, the sooner you can think about investing.

What is a silent investor? ›

Silent partners — also known as silent investors — invest in companies without being involved in daily operations. They invest their money in your business, but they don't attend meetings or make decisions. They don't oversee finances or review strategies.

How do you win over an investor? ›

Creating a Winning Pitch: How to Attract Investors to Your...
  1. Understand Your Audience. ...
  2. Craft a Clear and Compelling Value Proposition. ...
  3. Highlight Market Potential and Growth Opportunities. ...
  4. Showcase a Strong and Committed Team. ...
  5. Provide a Clear and Achievable Business Plan. ...
  6. Showcase Competitive Analysis.
Jan 16, 2024

What is a silent investor called? ›

A silent partner is seldom involved in the partnership's daily operations and does not generally participate in management meetings. Silent partners are also known as limited partners, since their liability is typically limited to the amount invested in the partnership.

What is the biggest risk for investors? ›

Possibly the greatest of these risks is that a portfolio with too much cash won't earn enough over the long term to stay ahead of inflation and that it won't provide enough protection against inevitable downturns in stock markets.

What is the most risky for investors? ›

While the product names and descriptions can often change, examples of high-risk investments include:
  • Cryptoassets (also known as cryptos)
  • Mini-bonds (sometimes called high interest return bonds)
  • Land banking.
  • Contracts for Difference (CFDs)

How do investors get paid back? ›

There are different ways companies repay investors, and the method that is used depends on the type of company and the type of investment. For example, a public company may repurchase shares or issue a dividend, while a private company may pay back investors through a management buyout or a sale of the company.

What an investor wants to hear? ›

So they're going to want to know exactly why you need the cash and exactly what you plan to do with it. They'll also want to know when they can expect a return; that should be a part of your business plan. Investors will also be looking for an exit strategy, and you need to think about that in advance.

How do you deal with a difficult investor? ›

Here are some tips to help you deal with a difficult investor and build a positive relationship.
  1. 1 Understand their perspective. The first step is to try to understand where the investor is coming from. ...
  2. 2 Address their issues. ...
  3. 3 Show your value. ...
  4. 4 Build rapport. ...
  5. 5 Follow up. ...
  6. 6 Handle conflict. ...
  7. 7 Here's what else to consider.
Mar 6, 2024

What is the best advice for investors? ›

Some of the more important basic investment advice includes riding winners and selling losers; avoiding the urge to chase "hot tips"; resisting the lure of penny stocks; and picking a strategy and then sticking to it.

What is the biggest mistake an investor can make? ›

Common investing mistakes include not doing enough research, reacting emotionally, not diversifying your portfolio, not having investment goals, not understanding your risk tolerance, only looking at short-term returns, and not paying attention to fees.

How do you impress an investor? ›

How to Impress Investors: A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing for Investor Meetings
  1. Research your investors.
  2. Prepare your pitch.
  3. Practice your delivery.
  4. Prepare for potential questions.
  5. Follow up after the meeting.
Mar 19, 2023

How do you convince an investor to give you money? ›

10+ Effective Ways to Convince an Investor to Invest in Your...
  1. 1 Hire key members of your team prior to speaking with investors.
  2. 2 Do industry research before you pitch to investors.
  3. 3 Try to soft-sell your idea at networking events.
  4. 4 Apply to startup accelerator programs.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 5375

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.