Reasons startups don't get funded in the idea stage anymore

In general, the startups that are however still in the idea stage , and the fact that they are getting funded is considered as a  completely dead practice.

The purpose of this article is to make the reader aware of the reasons as to why the startups don’t get funded in the idea stage anymore.

The following are the reasons : 

1.      Lack of a compelling story. That story however has to begin with a painful problem which is thus shared by a large collection of viable customers, with the competitive solution. Additionally, one thus needs to be able to communicate the essence that story and also  value to the  investors in a couple of sentences – the elevator pitch.

However , a lack of compelling story is thus a reason as  to startups not being funded in the idea stage.

2.      Lack of the clear objectives/goals. Often, the number one question that the entrepreneurs generally  fail to address is as to “How much money does one need, and as to what valuation does one place on the  company?” Then also one has to  have an  evidence in order  to support the request. Generally , one would often get a blank look if one asks this question many times from the presenters in angel meetings .

3.      Failure in order  to prepare for due diligence. Any serious investor will thus also  perform a thorough review of the business and also a  personal background before however signing the check. They thus also don’t like surprises, so one should thus  explain any possible issues first, and that too  in the best possible light, before thus  being asked.

4.      Lack of understanding of the funding process/rules. The key here is thus in order  to create a win-win partner situation for the investors. Discussion of the  risks and the rewards in an open fashion, without any  sleight-of-hand or shortcuts, will thus also  convince the  investors that they can thus count on one , and will thus also  avoid the shareholder lawsuits later.

5.      Reliance on the inappropriate business professionals. Using a well-respected professionals  in order to bolster the endeavor is thus the key. If one can however attract well-known advisors, attorneys, and also accountants, it will thus give the potential investors comfort that one however has  been able to get implied endorsement of the  concept, and also  as well as the integrity.

6.      Poor choice of funding sources. It is thus also  not helpful to one  for the funders in order to love an idea that thus  does not fit the criteria for their investing capability. One must also not waste their  time  in talking to the VCs for the  requests less than $1M, or the  very early stage, and should thus also not expect the professional investors in order  to jump in if one thus has  no “skin in the game.”

7.      Not doing due diligence on the funding source. One thus also is required however to complete due diligence on the prospective funders as they however complete due diligence one . One must thus also find out as to what they have invested in recently, at what stage, and thus also what is their track record of the expectations and thus also follow-through. One thus also doesn’t  need surprises or thus disappointments either.

8.      Being unprepared for the next steps. Thus after a good elevator pitch or an  initial presentation, investors will thus ask for the  formal business plan and thus also  financial projections. One must thus also not derail their enthusiasm or either risk the  professional image by however not having these materials immediately available. The same thing thus  goes for however  incorporating the company, having the  key hires lined up, and also the  facilities arranged as required.

The process of getting funds at the idea stage  has thus however become byzantine and laborious and is also  fraught with peril. And if one doesnt thus however  have all the little boxes checked, it however just won’t happen.

Really stupid ideas thus don’t get funded, because one however sort  of have to prove as to why they work first.

But if one has thus got something that’s however  more than half a standard deviation from the norm that’s however  going to be harder. Much much harder.

One however  can’t fund the ideas, or a team with a track record, thus just on its face, any more.

This article has been contributed by Simmi Setia, Content Writer at LegalRaasta, an online portal for GST Software, GST Return Filing, GST Registration, Section 8 Company Registration, Nidhi Company Registration, IEC Registration, Fssai License, File ITR Online.