How to raise money for a prototype

Every entrepreneur's journey starts with a vision. But between that initial idea and a market-ready product often lies the challenge of creating a prototype – a tangible or functional representation of what's been envisioned. The question is, how do you fund it?

Self-Funded

The obvious choice for some founders is to use their own savings.

As a founder, you'll retain full ownership/equity in your product, but you are also taking on all the personal risk personally.

Angel Investors

Angel Investors are wealthy individuals who provide capital to startups in exchange for ownership equity or convertible debt.

When investors decide to fund at such an early stage, it's rarely without conditions. They might negotiate a significant equity stake or set terms for future investment rounds, given the inherent risks early on.

This is also called 'pre-seed funding', depending on the circumstances.

Potential roadblocks with funding

There are lots of risks for investors and they want to see a return on their investment. Here are some potential roadblocks that could put them off.

• Hard Tech & Deep Tech Startups: Ventures focusing on quantum computing, advanced materials, space tech, or nuclear fusion, for instance, typically require significant capital and longer periods to achieve proof of concept, making them riskier bets for investors.
• Niche Markets: Startups targeting exceptionally narrow or specialized markets might struggle because potential returns may not seem as lucrative to early-stage investors.
• Highly Regulated Industries: Sectors like healthcare, biotech, and finance come with regulatory complexities. Investors might be wary of betting on startups in these spaces due to potential roadblocks, compliance costs, and longer paths to monetization.
• Unproven Technologies: Ideas based on new or unvalidated technologies carry inherent risks, as there's no certainty whether the technology will be widely adopted or function as intended.
• Cyclical or Volatile Markets: Industries that are subject to economic boom-bust cycles (like real estate or commodities) can be less attractive to pre-seed investors due to their unpredictability.
• Industries Facing Stiff Competition: A saturated market or one dominated by major players can be daunting for new entrants, making investors hesitant.
• Social Enterprises: While impact-driven, some social enterprises might not promise the same high returns as other tech startups, making them less attractive for investors looking for significant ROI.

How you can overcome those challenges

Whilst the above can make acquiring funding for a prototype more difficult there are steps you can take to navigate these roadblocks.

1. Strong Founder Narrative: Your personal story, motivation, and expertise can be powerful selling points. Investors often back the jockey as much as they back the horse. Show your dedication and unique qualifications to tackle the problem.
2. Network Intentionally: Attend industry events, seminars, webinars, or accelerators that focus on your niche. Building relationships can lead to warm introductions, which are often more effective than cold pitches.
3. Target the Right Investors: Focus on investors or venture capital firms that have a history of investing in your industry or show a specific interest in your domain. Specialised investors can better appreciate the potential and understand the challenges.
4. Clear Monetisation Strategy: Clearly outline how your startup will generate revenue, even if the immediate focus isn't profitability. Investors want to see a path to returns.
5. Flexible Business Models: Be open to pivoting or tweaking your business model based on feedback, industry changes, or new insights.
6. Focus on Traction: Numbers often speak louder than words. If possible, gather data on user engagement, early sales, or any other metric that demonstrates demand and traction.

If you still can’t convince an investor to fund a prototype, it does not mean that your idea is not workable. It is possible at your current stage the risk may be perceived to be too great.

If this happens it may be best to consider self-funding or bootstrapping your prototype. Choosing this option may put you in a much stronger position as you look at the next stage of the funding process as you can better communicate and explain the customer need of your solution.

Wrapping Up

Remember, each startup's journey is unique. While these steps can guide and aid the process, what steps to take and which will work will vary based on the specific industry, region, and nature of the startup.