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Guide2022-06-08T15:23:19+00:00monthlyhttps://blog.themainstage.com/2022/05/19/9-unique-elevator-pitch-examples-for-any-scenario/https://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/46e64-1.1-unique-pitch-examples-1-1.pngThe Mainstage - Unique Pitch Exampleshttps://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/36b2b-the-mainstage-9-unique-elevator-pitch-examples-e28093-plus-a-three-step-framework-you-can-use-today.pngThe Mainstage - 9 Unique Elevator Pitch Examples – Plus a Three-Step Framework You Can Use Today2022-05-20T02:04:38+00:00monthlyhttps://blog.themainstage.com/2021/11/04/top-10-best-pitch-deck-software-tools-to-use-in-2022/https://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/84f06-jason-goodman-bzqu01v-g54-unsplash.jpgjason-goodman-bzqU01v-G54-unsplash2022-05-12T22:35:44+00:00monthlyhttps://blog.themainstage.com/2022/01/14/why-your-pitch-deck-is-failing/https://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/21c96-the-mainstage-why-your-pitch-deck-is-failing.pngThe Mainstage - Why Your Pitch Deck is Failinghttps://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/8b099-the-mainstage.pngThe Mainstage | Why Your Pitch Deck is Failinghttps://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/0809a-mainstage-why-your-pitch-deck-is-failing.pngThe Mainstage | Why Your Pitch Deck is Failing2022-05-10T21:52:05+00:00monthlyhttps://blog.themainstage.com/2022/02/10/how-funding-works-for-start-ups-a-guide-to-funding-rounds/https://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ce737-shutterstock_1096028456.jpgMainstage - How Funding Works for Start-Ups: A Guide to Funding Roundshttps://blog.themainstage.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/32018-2.pngMainstage - Those seven steps almost make the entire funding process look easy, and maybe yours will be. We sure hope so. It’s worth preparing for it not to be, though. To be clear – and beyond those steps – startup funding only works if you have a good idea. You may be incredibly likable, have a well-polished pitch, and bring lots of energy to the table. Each of these is to your advantage. However, if you have a bad idea, no one is going to invest their money in your startup. Of course, there may be family and friends who want to see you succeed and are happy to push some dollars your way, but the money you need to actually get your business off the ground won’t materialize. Let’s start with the assumption that your idea is solid, though, because, of course, it is! You’re about to turn the market upside down and you’re going to have fun doing it – if you can get the funding you need, that is. Depending on how much money your startup requires, who (and how many people) you’ll need to work with will differ. In order to keep track of everyone, it’s helpful to categorize your potential investors into groups. The importance of maintaining some order here can’t be underemphasized. Knowing who you’ve talked to, where they are in the decision-making process, and what the next steps are will keep you from feeling like you’re flailing. The flailing founder is a bad look. That’s a promise. Organize Investors into Groups Between your family, a couple of colleagues from the place you used to work, the friend-of-a-friend who mentioned investing that one time at a barbecue, and at least a dozen of the people you’re connected to on LinkedIn, it may be difficult to imagine any real groups at all. As your network expands, it’s worth thinking about organizing your potential investors like this: Friends and Family These are people you know personally or at least socially. Typically, they are some of your earliest investors, cheerleaders, and advocates. Eventually, they may not have invested the largest sums of money, but they championed your idea long before anyone else was clamoring for a chance to get on board. These are good people, and you’re lucky if you have a few of these. This group isn’t a guarantee. Remember that and don’t forget to thank them. Angel Investors As the name suggests, this is a special group with the ability to change the game for you and your startup. Angel investors are frequently accredited, which simply means they are someone whose: Net worth either exceeds $1M (excluding the value of their home), or Individual income exceeds $200,000 (consecutively for the last two years), or Joint income (with a spouse) exceeds $300,000 (consecutively for the last two years) Angel investors put their own money into startups in exchange for a percentage of ownership in the business or as convertible debt – that is debt that can be converted into common shares at a future date. Here’s a tip: Look for Angel investors who are local to your area and who also invest in your market or industry. Your odds of converting this prospect into an investor are much greater when both of those boxes are checked. Venture Capitalists Unlike angel investors who are investing their own money, venture capitalists (or VCs) raise capital through private equity funds. With their own trusted network of investors, VCs build interest, excitement, and – hopefully – some capital on behalf of your startup. Like angel investors, venture capitalists exchange the funds they’ve raised for a piece of your company. Early Employees While the first three groups probably made plenty of sense, including your earliest employees might leave you scratching your head. Here’s the deal, though: often, those initial hires are clocking in and out because they really like you or they believe in the idea. Maybe it’s both. It’s great when it’s both. Your startup has a lot going for it but the salary isn’t topping anyone’s list. In exchange for working for next to nothing, early hires will often accept shares of stock. In practical terms, these employees have more skin in the game than most. They’ve accepted a reduced wage and they’re working to help you build your business. That’s a solid investment. Now, what about the “rounds” founders and investors are always talking about? Funding Happens in Rounds Again, funding isn’t an overnight process. As your investor groups organize and grow, so too will your opportunities to raise capital. Of course, the needs of your growing startup will also change, as will the company’s appeal to potential investors. 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