NEVER Say This To An Investor [9 Things]

In this video, we’re going to look at what you should never say to an investor. Things that will make them walk away - investment killing statements!

We have a full team of experienced investors that have done hundreds of investments each and said no to even more investments. We did a big brainstorm and then voted to find the worst walk-away statements and made a list of the Top 9 worst statements!

Make sure you watch the video so you don’t lose an investment because of something that is in this video.

The investor panel is:
Olga Maslikhova, General Partner, Mercer Ventures and Angel investor
Suranga Chandratillake, General Partner at Balderton Capital
Paul St John, Angel Investor Ex-Github

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0:00 Introduction
0:47 I AM A SOLE FOUNDER, I DON'T NEED A STRONG TEAM
1:31 MY FOUNDERS AND I JUST MET A FEW MONTHS AGO
3:12 THIS IS A QUICK FLIP, WE WILL HAVE SOLD THE COMPANY WITHIN 2 YEARS
5:02 WE ARE CLOSING THE ROUND NEXT WEEK AND HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST FROM OTHER INVESTORS
6:25 YOU NEED TO SIGN AN NDA
7:57 THE PRODUCT CAN SELL ITSELF, WE DON'T NEED A SALES TEAM
10:14 WE JUST NEED YOUR MONEY AND WE'RE READY TO GO
13:01 WE HAVE NO COMPETITION
14:02 THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE

[georgenemtzov]

Having been involved in startups as a designer, developer, and most recently, an investor, I have to say that this is the best list of its kind that I've come across.

[rickdawes]

As a presentation designer I am always looking for insight on how an audience perceives what is being said to them, on that topic this video is pure gold! Thank you so much for putting together this team of investors to share their experiences with startups.

[zhengren]

Seem like I’m ticking all these boxes, now I’m more confident than ever, thank you for this video!

[MrStuntdivermedic]

I appreciate the insight. As an Inventor/ Founder, this is very valuable. Let's build a new future together with trust and confidence!

[mainpointtalk]

This is by far the best quality content I have ever seen in my business and my entire life....thank you so much ❤️ this is priceless stuff

[sophiaburrell]

Love this take away from the video, "the winners are defined by the people who go the distance."

[radical]

Really awesome video! Great to hear directly from actual investors what they think. Nothing surprising here but I'd underline the "quick flip" advice - investors are looking for companies that can become HUGE and the founders are in it for the long game. So while most investors are probably looking to get their money back with 10-100x multiplier after 5-7 years, a founder who thinks they'll make a quick exit after 2-3 years doesn't sound committed to building something big.

[JElayne]

Thank you for this helpful content. I believe I lost an investors interest when asking for too little of an investment. My tech start up didn't require a lot of start up capital, so I thought. So, the investor was turned off because he was seeking to invest in companies with a minimum of 1 M. I was only asking for 50k. Oh snd yes, I always would ask my attorney, patent search person, tech developer and investors to sign an NDA and a non-compete agreement. Thanks for the lesson.

[MortenSchroeder]

This might be one of your best videos Heini! Super practical, easy to follow, and really like the style with you intro'ing and then input from the angels! Well done 👏👏

[chucklohn]

Good video. My company is currently trying to find a $25 million investment. This input is useful.

[ribe]

#3... the part about being resourceful is everything.

[DanielDez]

Heini, thank you for the great resources you are adding here.
I am left to ask: what is/are your motivation to create this content?

[NOSCAM]

We had the hardest time being a unique niche startup so no investor wants to consider the company. This video helped us alot

[AbdJiA]

5:28
Lifelong relationships over a one night stand 😅😅💯. Putting a VC on pressure when you've barely gotten past the first meeting is a turnoff

[TrivediLina]

A lot of these thankfully felt like basic common sense to me yet videos like these help me see that investors are people with needs and feelings just like us innovators. Putting myself in their potential shoes makes me feel a bit empathetic for all the different types of people they likely have to navigate and manage. “I just need a check and we’re ready to go!!” Jeez … seriously?!! I’d hate to see all of what is slipping into your DM’s! 🤣

[chrisli]

Great video, more importantly we shouldn't say these to ourselves, before we have a chance to say them to an investor.

[HonourBoundGameStudios]

Thank you for putting this together. For a new entrepreneur, this is gold! <3

[westwater]

We run a social trading fund and actively source capital from investors for us to trade, and I must say, this video is still applicable in the same sense of our industry and form of sourcing capital. Great video, great people. Will be very handy to show to the sales team!!

[movingshapes]

The credentials of these investors should be taken into consideration.

[abeleigege]

Worst Said by one of my start up founding partner " We've never made mistakes or lost before".


We kept loosing investors because of this statement