A cheat sheet to help you finance you business
Small Business Funding Tips

It is hard to impress venture capitalist because they have seen it all previously. It is extremely hard to pull the wool over their eyes. Facing these people can be really intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be if you prepare yourself well; think about the questions they are likely to ask. If you are able to face these venture capitalists then you will find it a whole lot easier to face loan and government grant providers. The main thing is that you know your business completely and that you have a good business plan. You also need to be able to answer these questions.

1. What makes your product or service unique from the competition and how can it benefit people?
2. Where do you see your business going?
3. What are your customer demographics and what potential customers can you tap into?
4. Where is your market and what is the potential of this market? Is your industry in decline or expanding?
5. Describe the sales process by which you get your products to the customer. Discuss how your customer will have a continuous relationship with you.
6. Describe why your customer needs your product and what it does for them. Give a value for your product.
7. Provide information about how and when your business is going to be profitable.
8. Describe your competition and be honest about areas that they are better than you. Describe what makes you better than them.
9. Have you managed to obtain any other financing? What are your plans for the future? How much are you going to need to make your plans a reality?
10. Give a description of your management team and letting them know exactly who is in charge of the business.