Brian Baldwin is a respected presence in his Minnesota community who provides results-focused business development consulting solutions. Among Brian Baldwin’s areas of focus in Minnesota and beyond is the start-up and venture funding ecosystem.
In many cases, a key stumbling block for startups with big, disruptive ideas, is lack of access to talent, capital, and customers. One way of overcoming these hurdles is to make use of the existing ecosystem of entrepreneurs who have paved the way with actionable ideas.
Be proactive in connecting with mentors and asking the right questions, as well as in seeking forms of support that boost startup knowledge and profile. Be open minded in networking and learn to identify those who are interested in your core ideas and also have the ability to produce funds. Don’t be discouraged by what appears to be inaction on the part of those who hold financial levers. As long as the conversation is ongoing and positive, there is potential to receive funding.
Often it takes time to build trust in the team, as well as the proposition at hand, before actual investment occurs. Keep in mind that investors have competing business propositions to evaluate and fund, as well as equity partners to convince, before any action takes place.
One strategy for boosting the ecosystem for potential investments is through spreading equity deep within the young enterprise. Instead of concentrating potential rewards at the top of the organization, give every core member of the team a significant stake in the ultimate results of their endeavor. This will encourage and motivate people to work harder toward meeting key milestones.
