YEC Members Offer Advice for Finding, Vetting and Learning From Investors

7 Helpful Resources for Finding Competitors and Investors

• CrunchBase: This is your No. 1 source of information on leading companies, founders, executives and investors.
• LinkedIn: Find mutual connections on the largest professional networking service.
• AngelList: This platform allows investors and job seekers to discover the most innovative startups.
• Quora: Ask any question to a community of knowledgeable users or search its database for similar queries.
• TechCrunch: This online publisher is your go-to resource for the latest news in the tech industry.
• Onevest: Find reputable investors on this popular crowdfunding site for entrepreneurs.
• Owler: Get everything from company profiles, news alerts, business data and more.

6 Signs of a Promising Investor

• They have relevant experience. “Make sure they’ve done deals in the past and know how an investment works in your particular industry.” - Faraz Khan
• They want you to succeed. “Do you feel like they have your back, or are you just a number on a spreadsheet?” - Tammy Leigh Kahn
• They’re flexible. “The terms of the deal hopefully won’t change, but they need to be flexible in case certain things happen.” - Faraz Khan
• They focus on helping you solve your problems. “When I call my investor, he sits down with me and drills specifically into the issue.” - Erik Severinghaus
• They don’t micromanage. “You want someone who’s going to trust you and be an advisor -- not someone who’s going to demand information when it’s not the right time. Gauge what they ask. Are they checking in or just asking for numbers?” - Faraz Khan
• They’re reliable. “Anything that [my investor] says he’s going to do, I have tremendous faith that he’s going to do it.” - Erik Severinghaus

Must-Ask Questions for Your Investor

• “Have you ever made an investment like this before? Was it successful, and if not, why?” - Faraz Khan
• “How many more investments do you plan to make this year?” Ideally, they’re at the beginning of their funds so they can be lenient with deadlines. - Tammy Leigh Kahn
• “Would I be comfortable getting a beer or having dinner with this person?” -- Douglas Hutchings
• “What’s your expected worst case scenario? What are you comfortable with?” Faraz Khan
• “Are there any other firms I should be talking to?” - David Berry
• “Do you have other current investments?” - Faraz Khan