Ask for Advice to Get Investment

When approaching potential investors, especially early in the relationship, a counterintuitive but highly effective strategy is to ask for their advice rather than their money. This approach reframes the interaction from a transactional pitch to a collaborative conversation, which can be far more productive.

Why this Works:

• Flattery and Respect: Asking for advice is a form of flattery. It shows that you respect the investor's experience and intelligence, which is a great way to build rapport.
• Reveals Your Character: It positions you as a humble, curious, and coachable founder, which are highly attractive traits to an investor. It demonstrates that you are more interested in building a great business than just making a quick buck.
• Lowers Defenses: A direct ask for money can put an investor on the defensive. A request for advice, however, opens them up and encourages them to engage with your ideas on a deeper level.
• Leads to Investment Organically: If an investor is impressed with your idea, your passion, and your willingness to learn, they are much more likely to proactively offer an investment. They become invested in your success through the process of giving advice.

The mantra is: "If you ask for advice, you get investment. If you ask for investment, you get advice."

This principle is a powerful way to build relationships with mentors and investors, turning a simple fundraising meeting into an opportunity for genuine connection and partnership. It is a key part of the Angel Investment as Validation and Partnership process.