The product or service they have worked on in a limited environment is solid and has been brought to market. Now it's time for the next step, namely to make the company bigger. They have laid a good foundation, built a customer base, and know where they want to be in five years. 
But with a growing number of customers and employees, you're not there yet. Money to invest and assessing risks are also essential. Because how do you deal with known and unknown risks? And how can you attract money ├®n gain added value from your investor(s)? This golden combination is what you want. I will give you five tips that can help you convince the investor.
1. An investment in the company is an investment in the entrepreneur
Nothing is more important for you as an entrepreneur than to have one hundred percent confidence in your own company. To convince an investor, you need to show your passion. For him, your confidence in the story is a super important parameter. 
So be convinced and also be aware of the risks. Good news gets much more credibility and meaning when you can also share bad news. Clearly indicating the risks of your company is at least as important as the maximum potential. 
2. Make a solid plan and a vendor due diligence report
Be fully prepared. Those with a good plan receive much more attention and quality time from the investor. Additionally, a vendor due diligence report, which includes strategic and financial information about your company, can significantly shorten your funding timeline. 
Why are you approaching the investment firm? Do you want to conquer the international market, for example? How will you achieve this goal with the investment? Many entrepreneurs want to raise a lot of money. But asking for a lot of money is not always smart for themselves and can make the investor think longer.
3. Gather a good team around you
Gathering a good team around you is important if you want to grow and therefore need an investment. Ensure a team with different qualities. This creates diversity in the team. A true entrepreneur wants a team that is as varied as possible and complements each other. The team must ensure that the company progresses, and if you only have creatives, you will get stuck on a creative plan and nothing will come of the execution. 
There are many methods to map the qualities of your team. The Insights Discovery Wheel is a fun way to see what the DNA of your team members is. This wheel is not about the function, such as marketer or engineer, but about who has which preferred behavior and how they can excel.
4. Know the market
Knowledge of the market is a must if you want to grow. You can have the most beautiful product or great service, but if you don't know what's happening in the market, it's difficult to sell it. Delving into the trends and developments within the market is essential. Is it a structured market? A shrinking or growing market? 
How fast are companies in your industry growing? These are all things you can research in advance so that the investor can see that you have a clear picture of the market in which you operate.
5. Grow: every day, every week, every month, always
Last but not least: ensure strong growth. Many young companies often have an excuse for not growing quickly (er). Often stagnation means that the product is not well positioned or is being sold incorrectly. Don't just wait for the market to change and come knocking on your door, but keep testing until it really 'clicks'. 
The long-term success is determined by many short-term successes. So ensure traction every day. A company with four deals a year is not very attractive to an investor. An investment firm is only truly interested in you if there is a proven earning or growth model. 
Let the investor convince you as well
A bonus tip: It takes two to tango, so you as an entrepreneur can also be critical. Maybe the investor fits well with your company, but of course, you must also fit with the investor. This way, you ensure that you gather people around you who share the same vision and help you steer. Look at the people who are already around you, who believe in you, and who knows, you might pick a few investors out.
