This guide will give a break down on the key thing’s investors look for in start-ups, the best and easy way to getting your business ideas seen and heard, as well as how investing can help your business, along with the top 6 things to help get you started. Investment can sound like a scary thing to start getting into, but it is seen as an effective way for many to start making more money to put away for yours and your family’s future, as well as helping businesses grow. Investopedia describes investing as “The act of committing money or capital to an endeavour (a business, project, real estate, etc) with the expectation of obligating additional income or profit.” Investing is essentially a gamble, there is a risk that comes with it as it differs from the security guarantee that you get with banks when opening a savings account, whereas with investing, you are in essence going in ‘blind,’ as you never know which way it could go. One of the main reasons being, that it depends on the market and the economic situation, however, despite this, there is much more to investing, as by getting involved you are essentially helping others get out there and grow within the ever-competitive markets.
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What is investing?
Investing may still seem like a fairly new thing to have hit the market, especially with the boom of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies today. However, the history of investing actually goes a lot further back than this, dating to around the 16th century. Investing is a pretty straightforward thing to do, it gets to the point and does exactly what it says on the tin, for example, if you are buying stocks in more than one company, then it is because you have the aim of making a profit! Economically, investing and saving is entirely different, where saving is putting aside money for future and emergencies, with the ability to access it whenever, while, investing is putting money into stocks, shares and bonds, whether this is a product or company, with the expectation of making a higher gain in return. The key thing to remember is that investments should be long-term – the longer the term, the higher the return, this is known as an investment period. The return and risk of investing are the main factors in making that final decision. According to Martin Lewis, from Moneysavingexpert.com when buying shares in a company or business its price can be determined on any day, as Martin mentions: ‘…if City buyers think a firm will struggle, its price will fall. Or if a company doubles its growth in a year and prospects look rosy, then its price will likely rise.’
Investing, all depends on the current situation of the market and company or business. Despite this, there can be some positives, as the higher increase in risk an investor is willing to take, the higher the potential of them receiving an increased return. There is a higher chance of a risk if there is a deficiency in return. It is essential for all start-ups and investors to know what the risk and returns could be before immediately jumping in whether it is in a small or medium business, or stocks and shares. It.
SME’s and what investors look for
A majority of start-ups need some financing to help get them off the ground, an injection of capital is needed to help get them over those first few hurdles, but sometimes starting-up is not always that easy, as many faces a lot more competition. Small and medium entrepreneurs will always continue to be vital to the health and stability of the economy and nation, providing the contributing to the build of the largest portion of the employment base, especially in the UK. A clear and detailed business plan is key, not only does it help you outline your targets and goals, but it should be informative to those interested in becoming part of your new business venture. Your business should embody your comprehensive business plans and be clear to investors what type of financial planning it is you require.
Companies that can grow quickly in the market are the ones that will stand out to investors, sometimes aiming high is a good way to show potential investors that your start-up is making an impression on the market's growth.
Private UK based investors tend to look for taking advantage of the government’s tax relief scheme and are always on the look-out for start-ups that would serve as a lucrative opportunity in getting returns, as well as the tax break. Despite this, there will always be the challenge for small-medium entrepreneurs to fight off the perception of local commercial banks and their funding options.
Here are the Top 6 Things Investors look for:
- Pitch Deck
- An Idea
- Be Clear
- Show your worth
- Be realistic
- Value
There are many business consultancy agencies like B&F Services, who works towards helping small and medium businesses through their business ventures, seeing it through from start to finish, with one of their main goals being to make sure that each and every client working with them is investment ready and being sure to provide them with several options and finding the right funding for them and their business. Having watched over the process and raised raise over £55 million in the last 13 years, through successful business planning and securing financing in a range of industries, including; property, tech, hotels, health & beauty and fashion for small and medium businesses.
If you have been trying to find the right funding for your business and need just a little push in the right direction, then why not contact B&F Services to get your free consultancy on info@bandfbusinessplans.co.uk or at www.bandfbusinessplans.co.uk