8 Ways to Find Startup Investors

Most seed-stage investment deals happen within these realms, so get involved in one, pitch your idea and if you nail it the investors will come to you.
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Dear Professor Investor,

I am an expat with a thin network in the U.S., but a great product and hundreds of new signups a week. How do I get in front of seed-stage investors?

Ephraim from N.Y.C.

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In our entrepreneur-focused world, it is easier than ever before to meet seed-stage investors. Here are a few of my favorite ways:

  1. Connect with founders in your city who have been funded. Ask for their advice. Impress them and let them introduce you to their investor.
  2. Apply to an accelerator (e.g., Techstars) and nail it on demo day. The audience is filled with seed-stage investors.
  3. Attend an event featuring seed investors and ask for their advice after the show. Requests for advice are a great way to showcase your venture.
  4. Kickstart your project. Raise funds and engage early customers. Nothing impresses investors as much as sales and users.
  5. Leverage Clarity, LinkedIn and Product Hunt.
  6. Use the same service providers (i.e., lawyers, accountants) your ideal investors use and ask them for an introduction.
  7. Find out where your ideal seed-stage investors source their funds and ask those LPs for an introduction.
  8. Apply to present to your local angel group.

Most seed-stage investment deals happen within these realms, so get involved in one, pitch your idea and if you nail it the investors will come to you.

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Questions can be sent to sean.wise@ryerson.ca, Please be sure to include "Dear Professor" in the subject line.

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