Navigating the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship requires more than just a groundbreaking idea; it demands strategic insights into securing vital funding. This article illuminates the path to financial backing with tried-and-tested advice from seasoned experts in the field. Discover actionable tips that transform the daunting task of fundraising into a structured journey toward success.
- Stop Pitching Investors, Start Pitching Customers
- Generate Revenue to Validate Market
- Simplify Your Pitch for Clarity
- Use Mentor-to-Investor Tactic
- Build Relationships and Refine Value Proposition
- Leverage Personal Brand for Trust
- Focus on Building Investor Relationships
- Target Right Investors and Refine Pitch
- Pursue Pre-Sales for Market Demand
- Build Revenue with Test-Driven Method
- Improve Messaging for Better Funding
Stop Pitching Investors, Start Pitching Customers
Honestly, one of the most overlooked ways to secure funding is to stop pitching investors for a second—and start pitching customers instead.
I’ve seen so many founders go from one investor meeting to the next, getting nowhere, when the real money was right in front of them—their potential customers.
I worked with a founder who was struggling to raise capital, despite doing all the right things—pitching, networking, refining the deck. Instead of chasing more investor calls, we focused on landing a big client first.
We approached a company that really needed what they were building, structured the deal as a multi-year contract with upfront payment, and suddenly, they weren’t just another startup begging for funding—they were a business with actual revenue.
That one deal completely changed the game. Not only did it bring in cash, but once investors saw real traction, funding conversations flipped—investors started reaching out instead of the other way around.
So if you’re struggling to raise money, ask yourself: Can your first investor be a customer instead? Because sometimes, the best funding doesn’t come from a VC—it comes from people who actually want what you’re building.
Himanshu Singh
Founder and CEO, CorpFinHub and HSA Advisory
Generate Revenue to Validate Market
One piece of advice I’d offer is to prioritize generating revenue from your customers rather than solely chasing investor dollars. When you focus on proving that people are willing to pay for your product or service, you build undeniable market validation. This not only fuels your business growth but also makes your pitch to potential investors much more compelling.
A resource I found incredibly helpful is “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. It emphasizes a “build-measure-learn” loop that encourages entrepreneurs to quickly test assumptions and adjust based on real customer feedback. By proving your model works in the market and generating revenue, you can secure better funding terms down the road.
In short, concentrate on acquiring and delighting customers—this revenue traction is the strongest foundation for any successful funding strategy.
Abhi Godara
Founder & CEO, Venturz
Simplify Your Pitch for Clarity
One piece of advice I always give entrepreneurs struggling to secure funding is this: clarity beats complexity every time. Investors hear hundreds of pitches, and if your message isn’t crystal clear, they’ll move on without hesitation. I’ve worked with startups that had incredible ideas but struggled to communicate them in a way that investors could connect with.
We often start by sharpening a founder’s story—if you can’t explain your vision in one or two sentences, go back to the drawing board. I remember one early-stage team we worked with who had a revolutionary AI product but kept losing investors halfway through their pitch. Together, we stripped their messaging down to focus on the exact problem they were solving and crafted a deck that was concise, visual, and to the point. Within weeks, they raised a sizable seed round.
As for resources, one approach I find especially effective is investor mapping—identifying the individuals or firms most likely to “get” your business. Too many founders take a scattergun approach, pitching to anyone they can find. Instead, use platforms like LinkedIn and Crunchbase to pinpoint investors who’ve funded similar startups or show interest in your industry.
We also emphasize how critical it is to anticipate every question an investor might throw your way. If there’s a weak spot in your business—whether it’s shaky financials or unclear market fit—you need to address it head-on, not cover it up. Ultimately, securing funding is about building trust and presenting your business as a calculated risk, not a gamble. And yes, it can be grueling at times, but with a clear message and a targeted approach, you’d be surprised how quickly things can turn around.
Niclas Schlopsna
Managing Consultant and CEO, spectup
Use Mentor-to-Investor Tactic
When entrepreneurs struggle with funding, I often suggest a tactic I call “Mentor-to-Investor.” Rather than pitching cold, invite prospective investors to serve as short-term mentors on a specific, well-defined project—something that tangibly showcases your company’s goals, traction, and potential hurdles.
Here’s the thinking behind this approach:
1. De-Risking the Relationship – When investors are actively involved—not just writing checks—they get a hands-on look at how your team works. They see how you solve problems or pivot when needed. It’s a deeper connection than you’d get from a typical pitch meeting.
2. Proven Momentum – By bringing them into a short project—like trying out a user acquisition experiment or running a beta test—you end up with real data. That kind of proof beats a static pitch deck any day because it shows you’re actually moving forward, not just theorizing.
3. Organic Buy-In – After rolling up their sleeves alongside you, a lot of mentors realize they want to invest because they’ve seen your hustle and the product’s potential up close. It feels like a natural next step instead of a forced request.
In practical terms, I’ll often set up a mini “micro-accelerator” program that lasts four to six weeks using something like Notion or Trello. I invite experienced entrepreneurs and early-stage VCs to share ideas, track weekly goals, and see our progress unfold in real time. It’s a simple way to let them experience the product journey rather than just hear about it. Those who grow genuinely excited about the results often become your earliest champions or first checks.
It’s not a fast fix—you do have to put in the upfront work of curating and guiding this mini-mentorship. But once you shift a prospective investor’s role from passive observer to active participant, you massively increase your odds of securing funds.
Derek Pankaew
CEO & Founder, Listening (dot) com
Build Relationships and Refine Value Proposition
A piece of advice that I would give to entrepreneurs struggling to secure funding is to focus on building strong relationships and refining your value proposition. Investors want to back a person they trust and believe in, not just an idea of one. Networking strategically can open doors to meaningful connections with potential investors. One can do this whether through industry events, business groups, or even platforms like LinkedIn.
Equally important is presenting a clear, compelling pitch that highlights the problem your business solves, the value it offers, and the potential return on investment. Participating in pitch mentorship programs or joining accelerator networks can help sharpen your message and boost your confidence. Ultimately, securing funding often comes down to persistence, clarity, and connecting with the right people who believe in your vision and ability to deliver results.
Austin Rulfs
Founder, Sme Business Investor, Property & Finance Specialist, Zanda Wealth
Leverage Personal Brand for Trust
One of the most effective ways to secure funding as an entrepreneur is to build a strong personal brand and leverage it to gain trust and credibility. Early on, I realized that investors don’t just invest in businesses—they invest in people. By consistently sharing my expertise and vision through LinkedIn, industry events, and thought leadership content, I was able to attract the right connections who saw the potential in my ideas.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to focus on visibility and networking before even approaching investors. Attend industry events, engage in meaningful conversations with potential backers, and showcase the value you bring to the table. Additionally, platforms like AngelList, LinkedIn, and crowdfunding sites can be game-changers in securing early-stage funding. Instead of chasing investors, position yourself in a way that makes them come to you. Credibility and strategic networking are the keys to unlocking funding opportunities.
Sahil Sachdeva
CEO & Founder, Level Up PR
Focus on Building Investor Relationships
I sent numerous cold emails to investors, hoping my enthusiasm would convince them. Silence. Rejections. The experience taught me that investors support people behind the ideas rather than ideas alone. So, I changed my approach. I attended industry events where I spoke with investors about their experiences before allowing my business to emerge organically. The process involves genuine discussions instead of aggressive sales tactics.
When I officially began raising capital, I brought more than a name because investors recognized me from my previous progress. That made all the difference. When you face difficulties, you should redirect your attention to building relationships. Through AngelList, you can discover investors who specifically seek to support businesses similar to yours.
Brian Staver
CEO, Net Pay Advance
Target Right Investors and Refine Pitch
If you’re struggling to secure funding, chances are you’re either pitching to the wrong investors or not making a compelling case for why your business is worth betting on. First, focus on investors who have backed similar businesses or industries before—they already understand the market and are more likely to see the potential. Use platforms like Crunchbase, AngelList, and PitchBook to find them.
Second, refine your pitch by making it less about your product and more about the business opportunity. Investors don’t just care about what you’re building, they care about how big the market is, how fast you can grow, and how they’ll get a return. If your numbers aren’t strong yet, show momentum in other ways, such as customer interest, partnerships, or waitlists.
And if traditional VC or angel funding isn’t working out, consider alternative options like revenue-based financing (Pipe, Capchase) or crowdfunding (WeFunder, Republic) to prove market demand before going back to investors.
Abhishek Shah
Founder, Testlify
Pursue Pre-Sales for Market Demand
Prospective investors and lenders want evidence about the market demand rather than just brilliant ideas alone. You should pursue pre-sales or long-term contracts first before they start searching for funding. We secured financing through supplying a national hospitality group which enabled us to demonstrate revenue history. Businesses scaling up have two financing options if traditional loans prove unavailable: they can use invoice financing as well as obtaining longer periods from suppliers. Also, the Small Business Administration provides funding advice and grant opportunities which help new businesses find necessary assistance.
Matt Little
Owner & Managing Director, Festoon House
Build Revenue with Test-Driven Method
The investor audience demands to see meaningful market gains beyond theoretical concepts. Building revenue by focusing on a scrappy and test-driven method should replace your pursuit of funding at early stages. Our launch of Helium SEO happened without seeking large capital investments because we secured early clients then reinvested their payment into growing the business.
A resource I can suggest is Nathan Latka’s “SaaS Open” database which assesses revenue growth for proven companies. Investors notice companies that achieve predictable revenue together with a scalable acquisition model. Raising money becomes more achievable through demonstrable evidence about your business model’s success with limited scale operations.
Paul DeMott
Chief Technology Officer, Helium SEO
Improve Messaging for Better Funding
Most of the time funding is denied for a business venture, the issue is in the messaging of the business. The way you present your need and vision for growth and scale is just as important as your existing financials. If the lender, whether private equity or a traditional bank, doesn’t feel compelled by your growth strategy, mission, and passion for the work, you’ll have a lower chance of earning their trust and their money as a result.
The college of YouTube is a fantastic and free tool to learn about public speaking as a whole, as well as defining your personal brand, elevator pitch, and so many more key verbal necessities to promote and secure funding for your business.
Anthony Bolognese
Owner, Capitol Hill Clothiers
