How can entrepreneurs build resilience when working with investors?

Pitching VCs is a numbers game. An average VC meets 300 companies per year and invests in 3. Your odds of getting a cheque is 1%. So don't take it personally. Go in assuming that you will have to meet dozens of VCs to get a 'yes'. The reason is simple: no one knows which startups will be the next Uber. No one has a crystal ball. It's a guessing game. So even if your start is the next Uber, many VCs will say 'no'. My honest advice... ignore it. As Nike CEO Phil Knight was fond of saying after he kept getting shut down by bank after bank: "Just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where “there” is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop."

As an entrepreneur, it is essential to understand a fundamental truth: investors are people like you and me. They also harbor unconscious biases that influence their perceptions of your project or your profile. So while it's essential to focus on showcasing your strengths, your vision, and the impact you can make, it's equally important not to take rejection personally. Additionally, it is advisable to be aware of the subconscious factors that come into play during the investor evaluation process. Take the time to dig deeper into your background, study your investment portfolios, and make sense of your decisions. This holistic approach can improve your chances of success in the world of entrepreneurship.

Beyond traditional investors, consider alternative funding models such as crowdfunding, grants, or partnerships. Diversifying your funding streams not only enhances financial resilience but also reduces dependency on a single source.

You know what's special being you. No one thinks or dreams like you do. Ever had an idea?. But sometimes, people won't get it. And that's okay. Imagine a big box of crayons. Not every color is everyone's favorite. But every color matters. Investors? They're just people. They have their favorite colors too. Maybe today, they didn't pick yours. That doesn't mean your color is any less bright.

Entrepreneurs build resilience while dealing with investors By following the following First, do your homework, which is preparing the financial plan, and strategy, and Framing the idea in a compelling way that appeal to that investor. Second preparing simple answers to simple questions, don’t over complicate your answers, so you don’t lose the crowd. Third investors invest in teams and people so working together in harmony and reflecting on that during the presentation in front of the investors would be crucial and essential for success. Finally, I would invite everyone seeing this to contribute here and share with me based on their spirit based on your experience, what was the reason of rejection if any in your opinion

Develop a structured framework for integrating feedback into your business strategy. Create a systematic process that categorizes and prioritizes feedback from investors, allowing you to identify recurring themes and critical areas for improvement.

Feedback is a valuable source of learning and improvement. Don’t ignore or dismiss what the investors tell you. Try to implement their suggestions and see how they work. Keep testing and iterating your product or service until you achieve the best results.

The one thing I've seen separate successful founders from also-rans was the kind of investor feedback they incorporated. Successful ones focused on form: "what data is this deck missing? Is the narrative clear?" Unsuccessful ones focused on pleasing investors: "let's explore this new feature, or completely change how we pitch ourselves, simply because the latest VC we talked to is really into this latest fad/trend/technology". And another thing: too many VCs, especially outside Silicon Valley, do not have hands-on founder or operator experience. They came from banking or consulting. They understand only accounting and powerpoint. So be extremely selective – the only feedback that truly matters is from your customers.

Feedback often comes at unexpected times and in unexpected formats It could be usage or it could be a random comment. Consider building a system to capture and store this unsolicited and instructed feedback so it is accessible and helpful when you need it.

Adaptability is key, be willing to adapt and pivot when necessary. Investors value entrepreneurs who can demonstrate the ability to adjust strategies in response to changing market conditions or unforeseen challenges.

The time to build relationships is before you need them. For entrepreneurs, that holds true both for potential investors like VCs as well as the media.

Raising money for a startup is always about building relationships. Only very rarely will investors pick a case at face value and put money into it. In virtually all cases, it is a trust-building process where the investor wants to be able to come in with more than just money and support the growth of the investee. That is key to building resilience. Also, the first round of capital raising is hardly ever the last. Building strong relationships with investors, even those who say no the first time, puts the entrepreneur in a much stronger position when raising money for further growth later.

Organize strategic alignment meetings with your investors. By fostering a shared understanding of long-term objectives, you can strengthen the partnership beyond the immediate transactional aspects, creating a foundation for sustained collaboration and mutual growth.

I've seen that exceptional CEOs prioritize building strong relationships with investors, often initiating these relationships long before starting fundraising efforts. This proactive approach allows both parties time to develop mutual trust and understanding, creating a solid base upon which to grow the business.

Recognise that a relationship with an investor is a two-way thing. It is easy to accept that investors provide money, advice and mentor you, but they have things to learn too that will make them better investors in other businesses, so give as well as receive using your knowledge, skills and network. If you give back as well as receive, the relationships with your investors will rise to a higher and more useful and productive level. Fundraising is not all about you!

To build resilience, entrepreneurs must integrate self-care into their routine. Amidst the demands of entrepreneurship, I've found solace in regular mindfulness practices. Whether it's a short meditation or a weekend getaway, these moments of rejuvenation contribute to sustained focus and resilience. Investors, too, value leaders who prioritize mental wellness. By sharing this approach, I not only fostered a healthier work environment within my team but also conveyed to investors that long-term success requires a balanced, resilient mindset.

Unfortunately even before the stress-inducing interfaces with your investors come up, the very nature of entrepreneurship can eat up the entrepreneur from inside-out. According to Alejandro Cremades, a Forbes Contributor in the 23rd March 2019 article titled: Why Entrepreneurship Involves Depression (And How To Overcome It), "Entrepreneurs are: 2x more likely to suffer from depression 6x more likely to have ADHD 3x more likely to struggle with addiction [and] 11x more likely to receive a bipolar diagnosis" So whatever you do, do everything you can to protect your psychosocial health. Have a support group that is mutually beneficial. Set boundaries, reinforce them and defend those boundaries whenever need be. And please exercise.

Creating a culture where results and achievements are celebrated is key. It is an important motivation to the team and creates a sense of shared victories and belonging. When possible and reasonable, also try to get some publicity for the achievement: Some good press coverage is an amazing way to build pride and euphoria within the team, let alone external recognition!

Setting a target and then rewarding yourself and your team is key, it helps build the purpose, the vision, and solidify why you in the first place decide to embark on this adventure. By celebrating wins you release the dopamine in your brain that makes you want to win again, so it is a reinforcing behaviour, that builds with every win.

Forget about the magnitude of the accomplishment for a moment here. Whether it is the creation of a logo or the closing of a multi-million deal, they are both events and milestones worthy of acknowledgement and celebration.

Entrepreneurs face uncertainty in every aspect of their journey. The ones who succeed are those who can turn this uncertainty into an opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate.

I remember being told far ago that "there is no shame in not knowing something, there is only shame in not finding out about what you do not know". As an entrepreneur, your life and corporation(s) will always have uncertainty; this is just how it is sometimes. Remember what you can control and what you cannot and move forward accordingly and be ready to learn about how, what and why an uncertainty has occurred and pivot to a positive world outcome.

Always expect the unexpected. A practical way to do this is by always having a backup plan. For example, if one pitch doesn't impress an investor, have another angle or idea ready to share. Being prepared for different outcomes can make these ups and downs easier to handle.

As a former early-stage startup operator (twice the first employee), one of the things I've enjoyed the most was getting included in the fundraising process. That's because the highest risk in a startup is borne by the first employees. Not by founders – studies show that even failed founders see a significant bump in pay, should they go back to a 9-to-5. Not by VCs – they're diversified and expect 80%+ of their bets to fail anyway. But by your first team members – people who, should your startup fail, will have to explain to recruiters why they joined a company that no longer exists. Were they not good enough? Help them to feel that elusive sense of ownership – and they'll help your fundraising process too.

Something that I always say is, "nothing that is worth anything comes easy". Celebrate the moments, pivot the mistakes and try your best to live an entrepreneurial life that is filled with passion and enjoyment in your journey to create positive change in our world.

Maybe understand that your startup is not investable and isn't capable of becoming a venture backed asset. This doesn't mean you can't be successful, but learning what investors want to invest in is essential and will save you a lot of stress and trouble in the long run.

The potential investors you meet will likely go on to a variety of other roles in the industry or outside it. The initial impression you make and leave them with will be enduring. Make it a positive one.

If the entrepreneur follows his passion and does what it takes to build a company including Product, People and Process, investors' would largely be convinced and settled. Such an entrepreneur, builds trust by following process which an investors like filled with commitment and a viable achievable objectives, outcomes. It gets tough when basic are not done. I am not pointing out external circumstances, situations and economic factors, while as an entrepreneur, one would need to know - Will my business sustainable? Best,