A recent Instagram Live with Nomiki Petrolla and Katie Dunn was a powerful reminder of a core truth in fundraising: Your first check buys a partner, not just capital. ๐ค
โจ ๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐: In the ๐ฅค๐ท beverage industry ๐ฅ๐บ, scaling an emerging brand demands access to operational expertise, RTM strategy, and a strong network.
Your investors ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ด๐ต provide value beyond their check. ๐ฐ
Thatโs little comfort when youโre struggling to raise your first dollar, but a quick buck isnโt worth the long-term trade-off an investor that is more an anchor โ than a rocket ๐.
๐ก ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ & ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐:
Building a genuine relationship ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ you need the check is paramount. Investors want a stable business they can believe in and support, not a rescue mission. This requires trust and trust demands time. โฑ๏ธ
Prioritize โBrainsโ over โBucksโ: Focus on investors who bring relevant expertise (like distribution or operational excellence) to fill your companyโs gaps. Your most valuable angel will be someone you feel comfortable calling anytime for guidance. ๐
Use SPVs to Keep the Cap Table Clean: You want advocates writing smaller checks, but you must keep your cap table lean. Use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or syndicate to pool those smaller investments into a single line item. This gives you an army of motivated advocates without the clutter. ๐ช