What You Should Never Say To An Investor

There are some things you’ll never want to say to investors. You’re likely to think they’re smart, but, in the blink of an eye, you’ll have cost yourself a potential investment. Worse yet, you won’t even know why the investor said no.

I don’t want that to happen to you. That’s why in today’s video, I’ll explain what are the ten things you can never say to investors, why you can’t say them, and what you should say instead. I hope you like it.

Say hi on social:

#brettfox, #startup, #venturecapital

YOUTUBE URL:

[MrTodayistheday]

As a former CEO of a startup, this is better than normal advice.

[michaelradovich]

This is the first video I've watched about seeking startup funding where nearly everything you said is a trap I would have fallen into. Thank you for explaining some common pitfalls when pitching to investors and how to avoid them.

[iammichaeldavis]

I have so much respect for you for putting the text list at the very beginning of the video and not making the viewer sit through a huge introduction or search for it. It shows a confidence in your ideas that I just have so much respect for, sincerely. And it helps I also agree with your list! 😂 but even if I didn’t, I would still think it’s the best way to present your ideas: transparently, right at the beginning, then taking the time to go over the information in depth. This is the best kind of video presentation in my opinion

[mamawolf]

I learned before watching this video that you always start high with your estimate of costs. Then things can be negotiated down or, if you get the quoted amount, and you can complete the process under budget you have happy investors.

[lonzomckelvy]

Don't say you're the next big thing
Don't try to compare yourself to another established company
Also thanks for the information about the exiting strategy

[sylvesteradim]

I just read through "The Seven
Immutable Laws
For Startup
CEOs: Violate
Them At Your
Own Risk"
Please permission to print a hardcopy for my personal usage.
I'll also like to know what it will cost me to be a student in your class? Thanks 🙏

[goofyduder]

Tons of value here. I completely revamped my pitch deck following your template... wasn't easy to break it all down to that level, but the result is significantly better.

[SvetlinNikolovPhx]

These things are so common sense, yet barely anybody follows them and great opportunities are missed or great potential is utilized at 5%...

[JQ]

Speaking as an ex-founder, former banker, and series a cfo. All of these mostly make sense. The main issue is this video is assuming the investor holds all the power.

Note that if you have very strong retention and monetization, you can asset dominance and make jokes as you want. (They addressed this in the fictional TV show Silicon Valley).

For later stage stage deals like large series A or a standard series B, it’s ok to sign NDA.

Lastly, the beginning comments of “next Uber”, “take x% of market share” are nuanced. The main point is to not sounds like an idiot and make up numbers that don’t make sense. I had an investor partner literally tell me to shoot for bigger TAM; discussing a small SAM is shooting yourself in the foot

[qatestbrian]

How do start ups protect themselves and their products without NDAs or some sort of similar legal document? Are we simply trusting the investors?

[celebmu]

Great reminder that competition >= status quo.
Change takes energy, and if resourcing is tight then you are competing against the old ways of doing things.
Thanks @brettFox for the content.

[gourdbox]

“Only needing x% of the market” a real noob move- we had that in mind at an old place I was at, all our first startup scenario. It wasn’t even in the context of investment but in product.

[your_boi_junior]

Fucking hell, This is what the internet if about, free knowledge thank you so much, I'm just a passer by, no investment, but this brings a new mindset on how I look at a business

[cantthinkofnameyeah]

I'm having all my investors sign NDAs and Invention Assignment Agreements. They are totally fine because I described in simple terms the value of the product. Without those contracts I would have no garentee that my invention would be safe from someone going and manufacturing the product in a foreign country.

[dboodtb]

I learned to be true with the start cost of a business and business means business especially when presenting business to investors because you never know if they are in a good mood for your jokes.

[jenifferndungu]

This are great points i've just learnt, added this knowledge to what i thought i knew. Now i know what i should/shouldnt say.

[YSapphireGroup]

Brett I don't even have a start up or a company to raise funds for, I don't even know why I listened carefully to all your points and AGREE with them!! Maybe because you are right! Thanks for this, my dream is to actually advise and help amazing start ups get the funding they need to succeed! thanks again!

[Scottwell]

Hi Brett, I just stumbled onto your video, brilliant I've learnt a lot and will take this information onboard and redo a portion of my pitch. Thank you.

[kiselafred]

I learned that its important to always tell the truth and avoid jokes when pitching.I also need to understand my competitors well.

[hoyinleunghk]

your content contain a lot wisdom and deserve more views, thanks sir🙏