Episode 61

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Published on:

27th Jul 2021

How to Pitch Your VC and Investor Friends

Raising money is essential for the success of your startup or small business. But many first-time entrepreneurs are not confident about finding investors in the early stages of their business development. A quick thought might be to approach friends and family for financial support. But combining your business life with your personal life can be tricky since you wouldn't want to hurt your relationship over money. So instead of asking your friends directly for cash, why not look at them as a resource for testing your business idea and finding investors.  Ask them if they know of anyone who would like to invest in your business. If you have a solid proposition, they might consider writing you a check. 

To give you a headstart, Sharran put together this quick 3-step guide to putting your pitch together and increase your chances of finding someone who will trust you with their money.

“Our job is to use our network for their network, not use our network for what they do.” 

- Sharran Srivatsaa

Timestamps:

00:00 How do you get your VC friends to take you seriously

01:20 Know the job of an investor 

02:24 Two things you have to remember when approaching an investor

04:19 Money vs. advice -- which one do you need

04:40 The first thing you have to do is work on yourself

06:24 Polish your pitch with the advice you get 

08:18 Ask for potential investors or advisors within the same industry 


Resources:

- Grab Sharran’s 4-Week MBA for Free


Connect with Sharran:

- Website

- LinkedIn

- Facebook

- Instagram

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

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Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.