We’ve recently launched Next Alpha - Verified Crypto Research. Try now.
Aug 21, 2023

Finding The Right VC Partner For Your Tech Startup: A Step-By-Step Guide

Follow this 10-step guide to find an ideal VC partner for your tech startup.

Follow us or ask us a question:
Source

The entrepreneurial landscape continues to get more competitive with more and more innovators donning the founder hat. However, every founder needs a co-founder and a partner who can fund the evolution of a cutting-edge product or technology. 1 in 5 startups fails every year, with the inability to raise funds being one of the primary reasons. If you are a founder building a tech startup, you will always need a reliable venture capital partner to ensure a seamless cash flow.

Reasons To Find VC Partner
Top reasons tech startups fail | Source

In this blog, we discuss a 10-step approach to finding an ideal VC partner for your startup and fostering a long-term partnership with them.

Understanding the VC Landscape

Finding a suitable VC partner requires a solid understanding of the VC landscape. VCs expect equity and long-term growth in exchange for supporting high-potential businesses. They bring industry knowledge, connections, and expertise that can accelerate your startup's growth.

Defining Your Funding Needs and Goals

Before you embark on your search for a VC partner, you must define your funding needs and the goals that you seek to achieve through those funds. In order to decide your funding needs, you need to consider the stage at which your startup is, the size of your team and whether you need to hire more members, infrastructure costs, development costs, marketing needs, and goals.

Researching and Identifying Potential VC Partners

The next logical step is to conduct thorough research to find investors. You should attend tech events, conferences and explore other networking opportunities to connect directly with potential investors. Alternatively, you can look for a potential VC partner on leading VC platforms, including Industry Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Greylock, Atomico, and DNA Capital. Finally, create a list of potential partners.

Evaluating VC Partnerships: Criteria and Factors

Once you have a list of VC partners and investors that you think you can form a long-term partnership with, it is time to make the final list, following a more concentrated approach.

How to evaluate VC partnerships
Caption: Image of criteria for VC investment review | Source

Consider the following parameters to narrow down your search:

  • Domain Expertise: An ideal VC partner is one who brings technical expertise and industry connections. Go for the ones with expertise in a domain similar to yours.
  • Term Sheets: Find out the previous investments of VCs and the terms on which money has been invested. Take the advice of seasoned experts and accountants to look beyond the lines.
  • Value: Besides money, you must evaluate how much value a VC brings to the table. Be it technical expertise, investment history, or network, there are several factors to look at.

Crafting an Effective Pitch Deck

Image of must-have slides in your pitch deck | Source

VCs get hundreds of proposals regularly. Most businesses only have one chance at grabbing attention. Thus, you must create a powerful pitch deck to highlight your startup's value proposition, market opportunity, competitive advantage, team, and financial projections. Use compelling visuals and minimum text to make it short and sweet and maximize your chances of raising capital.

Approaching VC Partners: Networking and Introduction

Finding the right VC partner could be a defining factor for the journey of your tech startup. The ideal way is to strike a direct conversation during events, webinars, or tech events and clearly communicate the value proposition while highlighting growth potential. Be professional, pitch something unique, and leverage networking.

Navigating VC Due Diligence Process

Following a due diligence process is a prerequisite for profitable investments and fruitful partnerships. Due diligence works both ways. VCs may seek in-depth information about your product, market, competition, and financials to assess the growth potential. You must be ready with all the necessary information to ensure transparency.

Negotiating Deal Terms and Structure

Negotiation begins after a VC accepts your proposal and shows their willingness in investing in your startup. You must fix a meeting with the potential partners for negotiating deal terms. Here are a few key elements to discuss during the negotiation:

  • Investment amount
  • Valuation
  • Ownership stake
  • Board seats
  • Specific investment terms ( if any)

Building a Relationship with Your VC Partner

Relations with VC partners do not end after raising funds. In fact, it is the first step of a long-term business partnership. You must have an open discussion with your VC partner, keep them updated on key developments, have strategic discussions, and seek their advice to make them feel important and build trust.

Post-Investment: Leveraging the Value of Your VC Partnership

Securing funds is one of the first benefits of having a VC partner. There's a lot more to gain from that partnership. You can take their advice to deal with roadblocks and expand. You should also tap into their networks to expand your network and forge valuable partnerships. This could also help you in expanding in different countries.

Conclusion

Running a tech startup is a tough job and securing funds is extremely important to scale your startup and meet your business goals. You need to define your funding needs, research and identify potential partners, create a compelling pitch deck, negotiate a deal acceptable to both, and leverage post-investment strategies to reap the benefits of partnering with top VCs.

Approaching so many VCs and communicating your value proposition with them is highly challenging. Blaze's social intelligence tool is a game-changer in having seamless communication with potential partners.

Tags

No items found.

Try Blaze for free

Take me to Blaze

Download this playbook

Download

BLaze DIY pLAYBOOKS