Business Planning and

Financing Management Series

Building Block 3

Identifying, Targeting and

Engaging Potential Investors
Workbook Template

Company: <Enter your company name here>

Last updated: <Enter the last update date here>

Table of Contents
1. Identifying and Targeting Potential Investors........................................3

a. Match your opportunity to the investor’s sweet spot.........................3

I. Industry sector specialization......................................................3

II. Preferred stage of development and preferred investment amount. .3

III. Geography..............................................................................3

IV. Investor risk profile..................................................................3

V. Investor search........................................................................4

b. Investor tracking list....................................................................4

c. How to meet an investor...............................................................4

2. Engaging a Potential Investor:............................................................4

The Elevator Pitch.................................................................................4

Business Planning and Financing Management Series 2

Building Block 3: Identifying, Targeting and Engaging with Potential Investors
1. Identifying and Targeting Potential Investors
a. Match your opportunity to the investor’s sweet spot
<No work needed in this section>

I. Industry sector specialization

<Record your industry below>

II. Preferred stage of development and preferred investment amount

<Record your stage of development and target financing amount below>

III. Geography
<No work needed in this section>

IV. Investor risk profile

<Identify the three top risks for your business from the perspective of potential
investors and record them in the table below>

Risks

<Summarize your investor profile below using the five criteria outlined in the
workbook (industry sector specialization, preferred stage of company
development, preferred investment amount, geography, and investor risk
profile). Identify a handful of VCs that fit your profile>

Business Planning and Financing Management Series 3

Building Block 3: Identifying, Targeting and Engaging with Potential Investors
 V. Investor search

<Record the investor websites and industry conferences that you plan to research in
your search for investors>

b. Investor tracking list

<Use the Potential Investor Tracking Report Excel template available on the
Financing Workbook 3 webpage to list the potential investors that you’re targeting>

c. How to meet an investor

<Add to your tracking list the names of individuals who can introduce you to a target
investor. List the key upcoming events that you plan to attend and identify which
venture capital funds may be represented>

2. Engaging a Potential Investor:

The Elevator Pitch
<Write your elevator pitch below. Practice it with a few close advisors and ask them
to repeat what it is your company does and why it is important—did they get it right?
Continue working on your pitch until you can explain your business in 30 seconds>

Business Planning and Financing Management Series 4

Building Block 3: Identifying, Targeting and Engaging with Potential Investors