October 18, 2021
The Pros and Cons of Finding Private Investors
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the average entrepreneur needs $10,000 to start a small business. Plus, if you plan to hire employees as you grow, you’ll need additional funds to afford payroll.
A key aspect of your business plan that you should examine is how you plan to finance your operations. Although a combination of self-funding and loans is common for many small business owners, you also have the option of seeking venture capital from outside investors. However, like other financing options, investor funding has its limitations.
Still, the benefits could help propel your business forward, so it’s worth considering. To help you decide whether finding investors for your small business will be beneficial, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons.
Is Having a Private Investor Right for Your Company?
1. Pro: It’s Not a Loan
While business loans can be great funding options, you’ll need to repay it regardless of if your business is successful or not. Outside investors understand and accept the risk that if your business plan fails, they may lose their money. If their investment goes south, you’re not responsible for repayment. However, it’s important not to confuse investors with private investor loans. This is a type of financing, also known as private lending, occurs when individuals provide funds to investors in order to get a loan with private real estate. It’s an alternative to loans from banks and other financial institutions.2. Con: It Dilutes Your Share of Earnings
In exchange for their investment, most investors expect a share of your profits. This limits your upside potential if your business becomes successful. While sharing equity in your business may not prevent you from enjoying the fruits of your labor, you’ll want to ensure that your investors don’t eat up too much of your profit margin. If they do, this private investment won’t be beneficial to you in the long run.3. Pro: You Don’t Need a Proven Credit History
Some business lenders have strict credit and financial history requirements, which can make the application process grueling with no guarantee that you’ll be approved. In comparison, private investors are typically more concerned with the money you can make them in the future than what you’ve done in the past. Due to this, they’re willing to take on more risk than most loan providers.4. Con: The Stakes Are Higher
Above all else, your potential investors are interested in making money. In exchange for taking on additional risk, they generally have higher performance requirements that can create a lot of pressure, especially if you’re not meeting them. Before accepting outside investments from venture capitalists, you should make sure your investors’ expectations are in line with your projections and capabilities. If your goals aren’t aligned, you should look for business financing elsewhere.
5. Pro: It Gives You Access to The Investors’ Expertise
Many business investors have extensive experience running companies and may even have specialized knowledge in your industry. Because of this, they can provide you with insights that you might otherwise not have access to. Once you find accredited investors, you can learn from their expertise and leverage it to improve your chances of success. One Harvard Business School study found that new ventures backed by prominent angel investors experienced better outcomes than startups that didn’t receive funding.6. Con: You May Lose Some Control
Most outside investments come with strings attached. When you have additional stakeholders in your business, you’re accountable to more people than just yourself. Your investors may insist on being part of the decision-making process or could make you seek approval before executing on a new strategy. At a minimum, you’ll likely have to explain why you made certain business decisions. Unless your investors are willing to take a completely hands-off approach, you’ll need to feel comfortable sharing control of your business.How to Find Investors for Your Small Business
After reviewing the pros and cons list, you may believe that having an investor will benefit your operations. Below, we'll provide suggestions on how to find investors.- Social Media: Many entrepreneurs turn to social media to find interested investors. However, be sure to conduct thorough research so that you don't fall for any Internet scams.
- Family and Friends: In some cases, you may have family or friends who want to invest in your growing business. Although it can be beneficial to have an already established relationship with your investor, be wary of potential complications. Some business owners find that working with a loved one creates tension, especially if the business venture fails.
- Crowdfunding Platforms: There are many online platforms that connect interested investors with small business owners.
Private Investor Alternatives: Should You Seek A Loan Instead?
As previously mentioned, there are other ways to finance your business outside of pursuing investors. Below, you'll find some ways to find lenders that provide business financing.- Research business loan types: When you start your research, you should first investigate the loan type that you're interested in. For example, if you own a construction company, a bridge loan may be the best loan to research because you'll need funds to bridge the gap during projects. Or, if you're interested in investing in real estate for your business, you may want to find a loan program that focuses on that expense.
- Read online reviews: Once you determine the loan program you're interested in, start researching potential lenders. One way to weigh your options is to turn to online review sites that will include information from each lenders' past customers.
- Ask fellow business owners for advice: If you have a network of fellow entrepreneurs, you can ask them for advice on how to fund your business.
