The startup environment is continuously evolving the investor’s expectations. It is why seed and angel investment fell to 45% in the first quarter of 2023. Moreover, within the existing economic condition of the country, investors may keep their expectations high. In this situation, nearly every budding startup shares a query.

“Are we giving too much or too less of equity to investors?”

Turning a burning idea into reality led to a rollercoaster of experiments and success. Thus, only a good entrepreneur can understand the effort behind leading a startup. But as hard as it may be, you must pent up your startup with funding just at the right time. If not, operating the startup may get difficult for you.

Offering an investor a chunk of money may not be the best decision for your firm.

What do experts say about equity transition?

As per British Business Bank experts, “Every business is different. Whether considering an angel investor, venture capitalist, or another type of financial entity, there lies no particular standard to determine the total equity you should grant your investor.”

However, experts believe – startups should give no more than 10-20% of the company’s equity. Giving up more may prove risky for your business. Initial-stage startups are highly at risk due to limited cash reserve, operating experience, and customer base. Giving more equity means losing all your productivity to the investor.  

What if the business incurs loss?

It can impact the existing company value and equity. In this case, the investor may demand his share of the equity. It could prove devastating for your business. You may run out of the existing capital to support expenses.

Giving the investor’s share would leave you with a minimum. You could end up with far less money than what you hoped for.

You may use affordability loans with no credit check from a direct lender to balance the loss by doing the immediate. Finance is the top priority to halt the company’s breakdown. It could be anything from clearing pending payments, investing in budging opportunities, or streamlining operations. If your business idea shares potential, you may get the finance quickly without a detailed credit evaluation.

You can raise money for investors in a series of small amounts. It may not be beneficial as most startups are clueless about the exact amount they may need upfront anytime.

Ways to avoid giving too much equity to investors

Raising funding from investors is essential to grow your business. At the same time, you must retain ownership with a high percentage. How will you balance these conflicting goals?

Here are some tips to provide the best count as equity to provide investors:

1)      Identify the company’s valuation

Valuation or the estimated company worth is a crucial parameter to deciding equity. If your company’s valuation is high, you sell less equity for the same amount and vice versa. Before approaching investors, focus on increasing the company’s valuation.

You can achieve this by ensuring clarity over aspects like- customer retention, business selling point, growth traction, revenue, and innovation to leverage with social proof. Research the best startups in your industry and highlight the power points in your pitch that outstand them.

However, according to advisor and Investor Cory, “Too high a valuation will ensure you would not get the funding unless your business has crazy traction and revenue.” 

It is especially true if you are in the early stage of your startup. They would not invest if statistics seemed unreal.

2)      Let the investor have their say

In start-up investments, the investors are the buyers and startup sellers. The strategy may fail if you sell an equity price without understanding the core business audience requirement (investor). Avoid setting too high a price on the table. Investors share expertise and experience and know the market to the core.

They know the apt valuation for your company. You may risk losing them by doing so. Let the investors lead the discussion. Investors may consider the price too low and expect an answer from you. If they force you to arrive at a figure, try to give an estimate or a range to decide.   

3)      Ensure a clear perspective on funding

Having a clear strategy for fund usage is critical to get funding. It would also decide the equity percentage you may be willing to provide the investor.

For example, they may reject it if you idealise providing 5% of equity to the investor in exchange for funding, contacts, marketing, and advice. Investors may not feel it worth investing time and effort in helping your business. It is because the equity is too low.

Investors clearly understand how much a company should get to scale business hassle-free. He may reject the pitch if you demand £ 2 million for a business that can easily scale within £250k.

Alternatively, they agree if you ask only for an ideal and realistic amount based on the evaluation. They know how you will invest the money.

Thus, valuing your business by basing competitiveness, uniqueness of the product/services, customer support, innovation, economic conditions, and market help evaluate the right figure. It reflects you and your business in the right light.

4)      Hit milestones before acquiring capital from investors

It is ideal to wait and work on your business specifics. Identify the short-term goals to hit before approaching investors. It creates a lasting impression on investors. Achieving a milestone in the shortest possible time reflects your business’s potential to achieve results.

 It can act in your favour and be an integral part of the pitch. It is not surprising that startups run out of money even after 1 year of operations. You may bag yourself this opportunity by using this 1 year to create a milestone.

You reduce the risk of business shutdown by achieving milestones and boosting your revenue power. If not revenue, the milestone can be anything like a patent idea, a letter of appreciation from a customer, or a successful seminar break you got for your business. Small appreciation or achievement could help close a profitable deal for you and the investor.

If you have an idea in mind but need financial assistance to rationalise it, Myfinancialloans can help. It suggests the best financial instrument for business goals within the shortest time. You worry about the right percentage to provide the investors.

Bottom line

Finding the right investor is challenging. Avoiding equity vulnerability is challenging. It is when he is a prominent investor. If your business can benefit from the investor, these tips would help you dominate the equity power and channelise it to the investors aptly.  Ensuring clear investor exit with profits in the closing bar is the right strategy.