Will Investors Fund Just an Idea? (2024)

For those of us who have never raised capital or built a startup before, there's a commonly-held myth that startups get funded with great ideas.

If the idea is so wonderful, an anxious investor will jump at the idea to get rich with an early investment. It must be true — we saw it on Shark Tank!

The truth is, startups get funded at all different stages, from the initial idea all the way up through proven traction. The problem is that the uninitiated don't quite understand what the difference is.

Will Investors Fund Just an Idea? (1)

What if we had the idea 9 seconds ago?

If the idea is just that — an idea — and there's no other development or traction to the business, the only likely funding sources are going to be our credit cards and perhaps an incredibly supportive relative.

Short of that, "just ideas' have very few takers.

What if we've got a killer pitch deck?

Once that idea has gone through some validation and research, and has been morphed into a coherent business plan or pitch deck, it's possible that plan can be funded by very early-stage investors, such as accelerators, incubators or, if the team has an incredibly proven Founding team, some angel investors.

More often than not, serious investors will want to see some traction to prove the concept has legs.

What if we've got some early customers?

What investors really want is some indication that this "idea" is better than any other idea, and the best way to separate it from the pack (and generate any real interest) is to try to show the idea has merit with traction.

Traction doesn't have to be crazy — but showing how we could get the product to a prototype stage or enlist a few early customers is what gets super early investors excited. They also like to see the hustle.

Not all ideas are created equal

The best way for us to separate our ideas from the pack is to move on them.

Get some traction. This will significantly increase our funding options, and will also get the idea the attention it deserves!

In Case You Missed It

How to establish traction. When you’re trying to convince the world that your idea has merit, the proof of your ability as an entrepreneur to be successful is in the traction you generate for your business. Here’s how to do it.

4 easy (but powerful!) startup idea validation techniques. When startups fail, it’s often because they built something that the market didn’t want. Don’t be like that. Validate your idea first.

Came up with a great business idea? What next? Do you have a million-dollar business idea but don’t know whether it’s worth investing time, money and effort? Here are 6 steps to help you proceed.

Will Investors Fund Just an Idea? (2024)

FAQs

Will Investors Fund Just an Idea? ›

Second, it's possible to get funding for your startup with just an idea from a variety of sources such as pitch competitions, incubators, as well as government and university programs. Moreover, angel investors are much more likely than a venture firm to take a chance on an idea.

Can you get funding with just an idea? ›

Once that idea has gone through some validation and research, and has been morphed into a coherent business plan or pitch deck, it's possible that plan can be funded by very early-stage investors, such as accelerators, incubators or, if the team has an incredibly proven Founding team, some angel investors.

Can investors invest in an idea? ›

Yes, angel investors invest in ideas but they also look for potential and capacity to execute. They want to see a clear path to how the idea will make money and a management team that is passionate and committed to making the business a success.

Can you sell an idea to an investor? ›

You can sell your business idea to big companies or investors that will pay you upfront and then take the item to market. This form of business model is called licensing.

How to get VC funding for an idea? ›

  1. Present Proof to VCs that your Idea is Validated. ...
  2. Show VC Investors that Others have Already Opened their Pocketbooks. ...
  3. Create Confidence that You're the One for the Job. ...
  4. Be sure that you want VC Funding. ...
  5. Lean into your Network for Warm Intros to VCs. ...
  6. Focus on the Right Financial Indicators.
Mar 21, 2023

Can you go on Shark Tank with just an idea? ›

Apply to Shark Tank - Casting

Whether you just have a fantastic idea, are a start up or already operating successfully and looking to expand, if you feel you have a lucrative business or product and could use financial backing, then Shark Tank is just the show for you.

How do you pitch an idea and get funding? ›

How to pitch to investors when fundraising (and close the deal)
  1. Jump into a section for your next pitch.
  2. Identify potential investors.
  3. Assess the current investing climate.
  4. Get your story straight.
  5. Build your charisma and confidence.
  6. Deliver your elevator pitch.
  7. Tell your story.
  8. Show your market research.

What not to say to investors? ›

10 Things Entrepreneurs Should Never Say To Investors
  • You Need to Sign This NDA. ...
  • We Have No Competition. ...
  • We Don't Really Know Our Unique Selling Proposition Yet. ...
  • We Have No Weaknesses. ...
  • This is Such a Sure Thing it Can't Fail. ...
  • I Don't Have an Exit Strategy Yet. ...
  • We Really Need the Money.
Feb 23, 2019

How to get an investor for an idea? ›

  1. Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a new, increasingly popular way for entrepreneurs to raise money for their businesses, especially for start-up funding to kickstart the business. ...
  2. Friends and Family. ...
  3. Angel Investors. ...
  4. Venture Capital. ...
  5. Business Incubator. ...
  6. Network. ...
  7. Private Investors. ...
  8. Events.

Can I sell my ideas for money? ›

Technically, yes, you can sell an idea to a company without a patent. However, this is where we circle back to entering into an NDA contract before sharing said idea, as mentioned previously.

Can I sell my idea without a patent? ›

You are not required to obtain a patent in order to sell a product or service embodying your invention. Many products and services are sold that are not patented. A U.S. patent provides the right to stop others from making marketing, selling, or importing your invention in the United States.

How do you sell an idea to a company without them stealing it? ›

Keep your idea secret before the pitch

Don't show, brainstorm or disclose information to anyone prior to the pitch just because you think your idea is great. Only disclose information when there is a clear need to do so, and the benefits of disclosure clearly outweigh any of the risks.

Is selling your house to an investor a good idea? ›

Selling to a private investor can offer a smooth and efficient route to your next house—but only if you have a firm understanding of the price of convenience.

Do ideas get funding? ›

Securing funding for an idea alone can be challenging but not impossible. Here are several strategies that might help: 1> Develop a Detailed Business Plan: Even if your idea is in its early stages, a well-thought-out business plan can demonstrate its potential.

What are the odds of getting VC funding? ›

Venture capital is absurdly hard to secure.

Stories of startups that raised VC funding seem to dominate financial headlines, but in reality only about five in 10,000 startup businesses receive venture funding — less than 0.05%, according to Fundera.

Is getting VC funding hard? ›

Securing VC funding? It's tough, traction and timing are key.

Can you raise capital with just an idea? ›

Second, it's possible to get funding for your startup with just an idea from a variety of sources such as pitch competitions, incubators, as well as government and university programs.

Can you get paid for coming up with ideas? ›

This means you generate the idea and develop it enough to look interesting to a larger company who would be willing to pay you a royalty for your idea. This happens all the time. Rock stars, authors and scientists routinely license their creative ideas to other companies who pay them a royalty. Anyone can do it.

How can I make money from my idea? ›

Here are some tips that may improve your chances of selling ideas:
  1. Brainstorm. Brainstorming can be a useful tactic for generating new ideas that you might ultimately sell to a business. ...
  2. Develop your idea. ...
  3. Create prototypes. ...
  4. Research your idea. ...
  5. Protect your idea. ...
  6. Work on an elevator pitch. ...
  7. Make a presentation.
Aug 18, 2024

Can I get funding for an app idea? ›

A pre-seed app might be a beta, prototype, or non-existent. It's an idea, and venture capitalists have yet to offer seed funding. You might get pre-seed money to validate product-market fit, or buy time while you refine the business model. At pre-seed, your funding options are friends, family, and startup accelerators.

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