How To Get Your First Investors to Say Yes

Securing your first few investors is the hardest part of fundraising—but it’s also the most critical.

The first few backers de-risk your startup in the eyes of others, create momentum, and open the doors to additional capital.

So how do you convince those first 10 investors to say yes when you don’t have a long list of other investors already committed?

It’s not about the best deck—it’s about the best process.
Investors aren’t just evaluating your startup; they’re evaluating how well you run a process. The best founders treat their fundraise like a sales pipeline—systematic, targeted, and designed to close.

Here’s how to get to ‘yes’ faster and unlock momentum in your capital raise.

🎯 1. Target the Right Investors First

Your first 10 investors will most likely come from your network, sector-specific angels, and early-stage funds with high conviction bets.

✅ Start with warm intros. The best investors often come via referrals from founders, mentors, and operators in your industry.

✅ Look at sector-aligned angels. Individual angels often invest faster than VCs because they don’t need internal approvals​.

✅ Avoid “maybe” investors. A long list of investors who keep you in limbo is worse than a short list of decisive investors​.

🔥 2. De-Risk Your Startup in Investors’ Eyes

The first few investors are the hardest to land because they have the least external validation. Your job is to remove as much risk as possible.

The biggest concerns early investors have (and how to counter them):

🔻 “Does this startup have real traction?”
✅ If you don’t have revenue yet, showcase customer interest (LOIs, waitlists, pilots, case studies).

🔻 “Can this team execute?”
✅ Emphasize domain expertise, past wins, and why your team is the best to build this business​.

🔻 “Is this a VC-backable business?”
✅ Show a clear path to scale—not just a great idea, but the ability to generate significant returns​

📈 3. Run a Process, Not Just a Pitch

Investors don’t just fund great ideas—they fund great execution. Your fundraising process should be structured and intentional.

💡 The best founders treat their fundraise like a sales process:

✅ Build a structured pipeline. Use a CRM (or Raaise’s built-in investor tracking tools) to manage outreach.

✅ Batch investor meetings. Momentum is key—don’t let weeks drag between conversations.

✅ Follow up relentlessly. Investors are busy. If you’re not following up, someone else is.

💰 4. Create Scarcity & Momentum

Nothing moves an investor faster than the fear of missing out. The best founders manufacture urgency.

💡 How to drive investor urgency:

✅ Set a deadline. “We’re closing this round in X weeks” creates a forcing function.

✅ Secure an anchor investor. The first “yes” is the hardest; the rest follow.

✅ Use strategic updates. Share wins (new hires, customer growth, revenue jumps) to keep investors engaged.

🚀 5. Make Saying ‘Yes’ as Easy as Possible

A slow, messy process can kill investor interest—even if they like the deal.

💡 How to streamline closing:

✅ Have a bulletproof data room. Missing documents = stalled deals​.

✅ Make terms simple. Post-money SAFEs and straightforward valuations speed up decisions​.

✅ Handle objections upfront. Address concerns before they become roadblocks.

Looking to streamline your raise? Let’s chat.