Thread by @davidcohen

3 questions I was asked at a recent @collisionHQ event:

1. How much revenue do I need before a #VC will commit to invest?
2. How do I demonstrate traction sufficient to get an investor to commit?
3. How can I help the investor understand that this is a “really big opportunity?”

SPOILER: There's no exact formula for this. But these questions did remind me of how @Techstars Chief Investment Officer, Jason @Seats, explains to #startups and #entrepreneurs how to get an investor to say yes. (2/7)

Jason talks about the investor needing to “believe in the inevitability of your success.” They have to picture that this is going to work, with or without them. To get there, they’ll need to have the following mindset about your startup. (3/7)

1. #Opportunity: They must have an instinctive belief that your company is attacking a substantial opportunity with plenty of whitespace...

2. #Solution: Investors must be convinced that the thing you are doing actually solves the problem in that market.

and also. (4/7)

3. #Execution: That you have the ability to execute well against this idea.

When you really simplify things, most #investors who believe these three things are great candidates to invest in your company. Your job is to get them to believe these things. (5/7)

If you can't, be introspective about why. Those who do not believe them are not going to invest.

Next time you’re engaging with an investor, help them understand these three things to improve your odds of landing an investment. (6/7)

If they don’t get there, move on and continue the search until you find an investor who believes all three!

Thanks, Jason @Seats! (7/7) #techstars