The Pros and Cons of Hiring Startup Funding Consultants

So you’ve already checked out the recommended startup blogs to read and now you’re ready to raise some money for your new venture.

Are you thinking about hiring a funding consultant? Not sure where to start? Here are some tips on how to find funding consultants that can help your business or organization get the funding it needs.

A funding consultant can be a valuable asset to your company, providing expertise and guidance when it comes to securing funding with venture capital firms and other investment sources. However, it’s important to choose the right consultant for your needs and to manage expectations from the outset.

But is hiring a consultant the right move for your business? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Who are startup Fundraising Consultants?

A startup funding consultant is a professional or business that helps organizations raise money. There are many different types of fundraising consultants, each with their own area of expertise. Some focus on grant writing, while others may specialize in capital campaigns or major gifts. There are also consultants who focus on specific sectors, such as healthcare or education. The role of a fundraising consultant is to provide advice and support to an organization’s staff and Board of Directors. They will often conduct research, create marketing materials, and provide training on how to effectively solicit investments.

Fundraising consultants can be hired on a retainer basis or by the project.

Should I hire a startup Fundraising Consultant?

Fundraising is a complex and time-consuming process. It’s a specialty, and only you will know if you need an expert to assist you. Start by asking yourself some of the questions below to see if you need outside help.

1. What is your experience with fundraising?
2. What is your success rate with raising funds for a startup business?
3. How much time do you have to dedicate to fundraising?
4. What is your budget for hiring a startup funding consultant?
5. What are your fundraising goals?
6. How soon do you need the funds raised?
7. Do you have any connections to venture capitalists or other investors?
8. What is your strategy for marketing the startup to potential investors?
9. Do you have a pitch deck and business plans already created to show to investors?

Fun fact – The venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz receives approximately 3000 requests for investment capital each year. They will look at approximately 200 seriously and invest in 20 of those. Each year. That is a .7% success rate.

So for every two hundred founders trying to raise money from potential investors, one will be successful. Read that again.

What is the benefit of hiring a funding consultant?

Fundraising consultants can be referred to primarily as corporate finance advisors, fundraising brokers, or placement agents.

First, a good consultant will have an extensive network of VCs and angel investors that they can tap into on your behalf. This can save you a lot of time and energy that you would otherwise have to spend on outreach.

Second, a startup fundraising consultant can help you hone your pitch deck so that it’s as strong as possible before you start meeting with potential investors. Having a polished, professional pitch is essential if you want to stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting funded.

Lastly, a funding consultant can provide valuable feedback and guidance throughout the entire process, from crafting your pitch to negotiating terms with investors. This can be especially helpful if you’re new to the fundraising game.

Competent fundraisers may provide a variety of help, including

• Strategy development – how best to approach VCs to raise venture capital
• Feasibility studies – using their experience to determine what is possible
• Ongoing guidance and support
• Training existing staff for future funding needs
• Lead or augment a funding team for ongoing needs
• and more

How can startup fundraising consultants help?

The Startup Funding Consultant is a business that has the skills, knowledge, and networks to support your startup. Various types of fundraisers provide expertise such as:

1) Impartial Observer

You created your company and are extremely close to every part of it. That’s great for showing leadership, but bad for relating to someone else’s view.

Investors are going to look at things that may seem inconsequential to you, but are deal breakers for them. This is where an experienced consultant provides value. They can help you prepare for what VCs want, and make your company look like a great investment to them. You want someone who can provide an unbiased and independent perspective on the subject. They’ll evaluate your business model like any investor and help you prepare to answer questions.

2) competitive analysis Matrix

To win many battles, you need detailed competitor information to dissect and plan against. Fund-raising experts provide you with competitive analysis and market research based on current trend information.

Reviewing the products/services provided by your competitors can help you establish yourself as an individual and differentiate your idea in the wider marketplace.

Before your first meeting with a venture capital firm, this market research knowledge will greatly improve your fundraising strategy.

3) Their experience Is Critical

Many startup fundraising consultants are individuals that had a career in venture capital as a Venture Capitalist. They, therefore, have a good knowledge of how investments are made and what aspects of their marketing pitch are usually screened carefully. In contrast, these consultants might be former founders who have built and managed thriving businesses and have experience in dealing with investors such as raising funds for an initial start-up. These former founders usually have extensive knowledge of the methods for running successful fundraising campaigns.

4) Networking / Access to their network

Consultants have always occupied a key position within the complex network of investment firms that support growing companies and tech startups in raising capital. With the right consultant, you’ll have access to a valuable network that can help you find the ideal investors for your business. This network consists of highly experienced professionals and academic experts who can assist you with information about optimizing the business model, presenting your best pitches, and generating the best results.

5) Validation of ideas

Ideally, before pitching to investors, it must be an interesting idea and is likely profitable for the investors. You should consider multiple aspects when evaluating an investment opportunity that is feasible.

If this is your first venture you will likely be too attached to the project and will defend it in the most efficient manner. It is important to remember that investors will not be looking at it in the same manner.

A good fundraising consultant will have an extensive network of founders that they’ve worked with in the past. They can tap into these experts when conducting market research for your product to see how your product will be received.

6) Validation of business plan

For gaining investor confidence, a business plan must contain a viable business plan. A business plan can provide clarity on your vision and help prospective investors verify your business and financial statements. It gives you credibility as an entrepreneur.

The best business plan is formulated by researching every aspect of business operations. New entrepreneurs often need assistance developing an adequate business plan and marketing strategy. Since fundraising experts are typically former VCs or have extensive experience in running startups, they are available to help you with advice based on their experience over a long period of time.

8) Pitch Deck Creation / Analysis

How do startups get investors interested in their products? Many entrepreneurs are analyzing some important characteristics of the startup to determine its potential value. A fundraising consultant helps make the most strategic presentations possible. The fundraising consulting firm can also assist you to design your pitches that cover all financial and investment requirements as well as projections of the projected expansion of the investment.

What to look out for

Of course, there are also some potential downsides to hiring a funding consultant. The first is that it can be expensive—good consultants don’t come cheap. You’ll need to make sure you have the budget to cover their fees before signing on the dotted line.

Another potential downside is that some consultants may not have your best interests at heart. There have been cases where consultants have taken advantage of unsuspecting founders by promising results they can’t deliver or charging exorbitant fees for their services. This is why it’s important to do your due diligence when choosing a consultant and only work with someone you trust.

It may be a daunting task to find a reputable fundraiser consultant since there is an industry in the Startup sector willing to take money from startups who are desperate for help but without guarantees. Just do your due diligence and keep reading.

1) It can be difficult to accurately gauge Their Network strength

Everyone should remember that a fundraising consultant is a professional who constantly seeks out job opportunities. Therefore, they may overestimate certain aspects of their resume, particularly their networking ability, in order to get more clients from startup firms.

Also, a consulting firm may have an extensive network of investors they have previously dealt with but their relationship status may be far less than what you are told. You can waste money by hiring someone who may not possess the skills or expertise necessary to get the results you want.

2) They Bring Their Own Baggage

Startup funding consultants are typically experts who have long worked with their businesses in this field, and they will possess a wide array of expertise and insights. While it can prove beneficial (and maybe a good thing) for most founders it can also present problems. The problem is that a consultant may instinctively block some of your ideas (due to past success/failure history with a similar idea) which may ultimately lead to an insufficient investment amount for your product.

3) Be aware – Investors expect the CEO to be the fundraiser

Investors expect CEO conversations at a fundraising event if they aren’t sure about it. Investors expect the head executive to be the main cheerleader for the company. They’re investing in the company and the people together. A great funding consultant will work closely with the CEO to ensure that all investor expectations are met. The consultant augments the CEO’s role in fundraising, he does not replace it.

4) The final agreement may not be in your best interest

When working with a funding consultant, it’s important to remember that they are ultimately looking out for their own interests. This means that the final agreement you reach with them may not be in your best interests. Make sure you read over any agreement carefully before signing it and don’t be afraid to negotiate for better terms.

5) There is no guarantee of success in raising funds

One of the most important things to remember when working with a funding consultant is that there is no guarantee of success in raising capital. Just because you’re paying someone to help you raise money doesn’t mean they will be successful in doing so. There are a lot of factors that go into successfully raising money, and even the best consultants can’t control all of them.

Where To Find Funding Consultants

Ask your network! Does anyone already know someone that they’d recommend? Perhaps other founders have worked with someone.

If you seek to raise money for nonprofit organizations, you’ll want a specialized “nonprofit fundraising consultant”. Basically, someone that has specific experience in that field.

If you’re comfortable with it, browse the news and see who has raised capital recently. Reach out to them and to if they would recommend someone. You want an experienced and successful fundraising consulting expert, so this would check both of those boxes.

We also recommend reaching out to some of the profiles at TopTal. They have dedicated Startup Funding Consultants ready for you.

How much should you expect to pay?

You can expect to pay a monthly retainer plus a fee that is based primarily on the total amount of money raised. This fee structure ensures that your consultant is incentivized to help you raise as much money as possible.

One method might be to increase the fee they receive once they hit pre-arranged benchmarks. An example of this would be 1% for the first million, 2% for the second million, and so on. Another example would be to increase the fees only if XX amount is raised by XX date.

While the exact amount you will pay your consultant will depend on the specific arrangement you have with them, you should generally expect to pay several thousand dollars per month at a minimum. In many cases, you may be responsible for covering the cost of travel and other expenses related to their work on your behalf.

Despite the high cost of hiring a fundraising consultant, many organizations find that it is well worth the investment. A good fundraising consultant can provide invaluable assistance in developing and implementing a successful fundraising strategy.

When done correctly, hiring a consultant can help you raise the money you need to achieve your goals and make your organization thrive. It may cost you a bit of money upfront, but it could end up being one of the best decisions you ever make for your organization.

How to Maximize Success With a Funding Consultant

Do Your Research

It’s important to do your research and choose someone who has a proven track record in securing funding for companies like yours. Ask for referrals from trusted sources, read online reviews, and check out the consultant’s website and social media profiles to get a sense of their experience and approach.

Set Clear Goals

It’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals before you even meet with anyone. What kind of funding are you looking for? How much money do you need to raise? What is your timeline for securing funding? By setting clear goals upfront, you’ll be able to better assess whether or not a particular consultant is a good fit for your needs.

Manage Expectations

While they will be able to provide valuable insights and guidance, they cannot guarantee that you will secure funding. Be realistic about what a consultant can and cannot do for you, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.

How to get unstuck with a startup mentor

Let’s say you’re not quite sure you want a funding consult and you feel stuck. You’re not sure how to get unstuck, but you know you need help. A mentor could be the answer to your problem. But how do you find a mentor? And once you find one, how do you make the most of your relationship?

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a mentor. First, it’s important to find someone who is knowledgeable about the industry in which your startup operates. This ensures that they can provide valuable insights and advice. Second, look for someone who has experience starting and running a successful business. You can learn from their mistakes and successes. Finally, choose someone who you respect and who you feel comfortable talking to. A good mentor relationship is built on trust and mutual respect.

Once you’ve found a mentor, it’s important to make the most of your relationship. First, be prepared when you meet with your mentor. Come to each meeting with specific questions or topics that you want to discuss. This shows that you’re serious about learning from your mentor. Second, be open to feedback. A good mentor will give honest feedback, even if it’s not what you want to hear. It’s important to listen with an open mind and take their advice to heart. Finally, don’t forget to show your appreciation. A simple “thank you” goes a long way in maintaining a strong mentor relationship.

Where can I find a mentor?

Startup incubators often provide a mentorship program, but we’re assuming you’re not already in that scenario already.

Similar to finding a startup funding consultant, try asking other people who they would recommend. Perhaps you know someone already and you could either ask them to be your mentor (assuming they check all the boxes above) or ask your network if they would recommend someone. We always lend more weight to the person who has been recommended.

You can also check out the sites below to try to find someone you like.

• https://www.startupbootcamp.org/mentors/
• https://www.growthmentor.com/startup-funding-consultants/
• https://mentorcruise.com/filter/startup/
• https://www.scaling.partners/startup-fundraising-consultant/

Don’t be afraid to try multiple people until you find the right fit. It’s like dating, it’s not always easy to determine which ones are crazy until you’ve spoken a few times.

Summary

Startups can hire reputable fundraising consultants if hired at the right time to boost revenue and increase sales. Hiring an experienced startup consultant can cause more problems than solutions though. You can use a similar form of money to obtain an investment from friends or family. After completing an early stage in running the business you can hire a consultant to scale your company.

Hiring a funding consultant can be a great way to give your fundraising efforts a boost—but it’s not right for everyone. Before making a decision, weigh the pros and cons carefully to see if bringing on a consultant makes sense for your business.

A funding consultant can be a valuable asset when it comes to securing funding for your business. However, it’s important to choose the right consultant for your needs and manage expectations from the outset. By following these tips, you’ll be in a good position to get the most out of your funding consultant relationship.