New Start-up Seeking Serious Investors.

[Deleted member 353356]

Hello everyone,

I am currently seeking investors for my building materials startup, which provides a unique solution for builders, tradesmen, and DIY enthusiasts. Our platform offers greater convenience and choice, connecting users with local merchants and transforming the way people source building materials. I have partnered with high level players from within the building supplies industry and we believe we are holding the keys to something truly exciting.

With a market size of £38.86bn in the UK, this is a significant opportunity for investors who are passionate about disrupting the building materials industry. I'm reaching out to the community to see if anyone knows any serious investors who would be interested in this opportunity.

If you have any recommendations or would like to learn more about our startup, please feel free to contact me. I'm happy to share more information with interested parties who are willing to sign an NDA.

Best regards, Nathan.

 

[fisicx]

Do you have a solid business plan? Do you have an MVP? How much investment do you need?

What is different from the multitude of existing click and collect providers? Today I needed some bits from screwfix. The order was complete in a couple of minutes, I got the SMS and the app told them I had arrived. The whole process (including driving to the store) took under 15 minutes. You need to have something really special to better this.

For the building materials I use a local merchant. They are reliable and cheap and can deliver next morning.

The builder I use has trade accounts all over the place and uses whoever has the bits he needs. It’s going to be difficult to get him to change how he does things.

Have you thought about marketing? That’s going to be your biggest cost. Whatever the app costs, marketing will be ten times that.

 

[Mark T Jones]

This might be stuff you've already done, but what ang jnvedtor wants to see is

Some serious research into the market (as in your specific niche)

A properly structured and managed business

Ideally, some quantifiable traction (contracts/orders etc)

They will also need to know what you are bringing to the party, what their money will be used for and what their return will be

You may have done that, which is great. If you haven't, i strongly recommend you do before wasting your time looking for investment

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

If I was Mark Jones I would be blowing my own trumpet but I will post his link which is so important for those trying to gain investment

https://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/you-wont-get-investment-because.385696/

 

[fisicx]

Are investors passionate about disrupting the market? Or do they want to invest in a proven business?

Does the market need disrupting?

 

[intheTRADE]

This has been attempted multiple times and fails almost every time due to the amount of money needed to get it in front of the construction sector and THEN having to change their way of doing things

End cost to user is always going to be a problem as well due to commissions being charged.

As @fisicx mentions, he used the Screwfix app for quick delivery. All the major players, the likes of Jewson and Trade Point have their own similar apps. Why would I use your app for supplies when I have existing accounts direct with the suppliers?

 

[Gecko001]

Are investors passionate about disrupting the market? Or do they want to invest in a proven business?

Does the market need disrupting?

The use of the words "disrupting" and "passionate" by the OP ring alarm bells for me and, I suggest, any other potential investor. Investors want to see a return and whether they are passionate about the company they are investing in or not, is irrelevant. Also the idea of "disrupting" other etablished businesses in your chosen sector seems like the language of a pressure group and not a company whose aim is to have a profitable and sucessful business. Language is important, so plain speaking will come across better than trendy buzz words. Tell us why you are different from other businesses in this sector. It might be just a very small subtle difference. That is often all that is needed to have an edge.

 

[intheTRADE]

@Gecko001 totally agree

The word disrupting is thrown about these days - whenever I see that word I immediately think of a business solving a problem that doesn't exist

 

[Mark T Jones]

The use of the words "disrupting" and "passionate" by the OP ring alarm bells for me and, I suggest, any other potential investor. Investors want to see a return and whether they are passionate about the company they are investing in, is irrelevant. Also the idea of "disrupting" other etablished businesses in your chosen sector seems like the language of a pressure group and not someone whose aim is to have a profitable and sucessful business.

True - a bit too much Apprentice-viewing. A bit of a cliché-fest.

But to be fair, the OP is a long way from seeking investment.

Getting investment is actually pretty easy. All you have to do is demonstrate - beyond reasonable doubt - that you will give them a good return on their money.

The hard bit is getting to that point.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

Hello all.

Thank you for the replies, unfortunately I won't be going into detail here for obvious reasons.

Let's just say the suggestions of where you think this is going is thinking along completely different lines. It's pointless debating whether you think this will or won't work without having signed an NDA and seen the details, so for the sake of this let's please just pretend it is all there.

We already have seed investment, now looking for connections to larger investors, if we identify an investor we think could actually help besides money (having something to bring to the table), we will offer the NDA and discuss the business plan in detail, which is, of course, already ready.

 

[intheTRADE]

@Wilde86 how far in the journey are currently?

Have you launched?
Are you generating revenue?
How many unique users have you gained since launching?
How many keys players have agreed to partner with you?

 

[Deleted member 353356]

@Wilde86 how far in the journey are currently?

Have you launched?
Are you generating revenue?
How many unique users have you gained since launching?
How many keys players have agreed to partner with you?

We're in the development phase of creating the software, system and onboarding tools. We won't be launching until everything is ready.

We have seed investment which enables us to get to launch phase. From there we're looking to potentially partner with another investor prior to launch.

There are some key players involved, renowned names from within the industry.

 

[HFE Signs]

Sounds like one for Dragons Den - I'll look out for you

 

[Deleted member 353356]

Sounds like one for Dragons Den - I'll look out for you

Except we're not desperate enough to go down that route.

There really is no point in responding unless you are, or know of, an investor who would be willing to sign an NDA and take a look or a sound business proposal.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Let's just say the suggestions of where you think this is going is thinking along completely different lines. It's pointless debating whether you think this will or won't work

I wholeheartedly agree. It's far too easy to be distracted by debating opinions on the idea or concept.

What actually matters is research; experience and verifiable facts.

Are your seed investors not connected in this area?

 

[Deleted member 353356]

I wholeheartedly agree. It's far too easy to be distracted by debating opinions on the idea or concept.

What actually matters is research; experience and verifiable facts.

Are your seed investors not connected in this area?

Thank you!

Our seed investor is from within the industry, ideally for phase two investment we'll be looking for an investor with a proven record of growing brands quickly.

 

[NickGrogan]

There are some key players involved, renowned names from within the industry.

Why aren't they investing?

How much are you looking for?

 

[japancool]

In fairness to the OP, he sounds a lot more prepared and together than the average pitch we get on this forum.

Not my cup of tea, but wish you the best of luck.

 

[intheTRADE]

I am of course obviously intrigued as this is the sector we work in but a lot more information would need to be attained before I could even possibly connect you with an investor (or myself) who would take the time sign an NDA

On what agreement have you managed to secure major suppliers with no working solution in place yet?

How much are you seeking?

When do you plan to launch with the current see investment obtained?

 

[Deleted member 353356]

They've seed invested, as have I. For series A funding we'll ideally be looking for someone who grows large brands quickly, with a proven track record growing large brands.

 

[HFE Signs]

Except we're not desperate enough to go down that route.

There really is no point in responding unless you are, or know of, an investor who would be willing to sign an NDA and take a look or a sound business proposal.

In that case, I'll wish you the very best of luck

 

[Deleted member 353356]

I am of course obviously intrigued as this is the sector we work in but a lot more information would need to be attained before I could even possibly connect you with an investor (or myself) who would take the time sign an NDA

On what agreement have you managed to secure major suppliers with no working solution in place yet?

How much are you seeking?

When do you plan to launch with the current see investment obtained?

Thank you, although as per previous, we're also unwilling to take the time to sign an NDA without knowing anything about the potential investor.

I'm not willing to send NDA's here there and anywhere to just anyone.

If you seriously would like to know more about this, send me over an email or PM with some details on who you are, and we can go from there ?

 

[The Byre]

As much as I am always looking for new opportunities, your website has forced me to decide otherwise. I would strongly recommend that you take a step back and take a fresh look at how you present yourself and your business.

I am very sorry to be negative, but the first thing any investor is going to do BEFORE they even so much as want to talk to you, is to find out who you are and what you have been doing.

 

[Clinton]

Thank you, although as per previous, we're also unwilling to take the time to sign an NDA without knowing anything about the potential investor.

I'm not willing to send NDA's here there and anywhere to just anyone.

?

 

[Deleted member 353356]

As much as I am always looking for new opportunities, your website has forced me to decide otherwise. I would strongly recommend that you take a step back and take a fresh look at how you present yourself and your business.

I am very sorry to be negative, but the first thing any investor is going to do BEFORE they even so much as want to talk to you, is to find out who you are and what you have been doing.

Thank you for your reply.

You know nothing about me, my achievements or credentials, nor the people involved nor the business in question, as the details of it are not yet public.

So while I'm always open to criticism, when it comes from a position of ignorance I simply discount it.

I learned from my own previous mistakes to never form an opinion on anything without first having understood it.

All the best!

 

[Deleted member 353356]

?

I love this reaction.

You're surprised and even find it funny that I am not willing to waste precious time talking with people who're likely in an unsuitable position to help me achieve the goal.

You think it's funny that I won't share the details of my business with someone from a forum on the internet without first knowing anything about them.

This is why some people drive forwards and others tread water.

I've learned to always be open minded until I understand the subject matter.

 

[japancool]

You know nothing about me, my achievements or credentials

I think that's what @The Byre is trying to say - the website (which I haven't looked at) should have that information for potential investors to find out so they have confidence when making the first approach.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

I think that's what @The Byre is trying to say - the website (which I haven't looked at) should have that information for potential investors to find out so they have confidence when making the first approach.

Absolutely agree.

The problem is, he hasn't seen the website. The website is current behind a password wall and I have not even mentioned the domain name.

He is talking about a side business of mine that I set up really to help some close friends. The business helps brick and mortar businesses take their products online via partnering with them to build out the ecommerce store. It has nothing to do with the business I am discussing here.

 

[japancool]

The problem is, he hasn't seen the website. The website is current behind a password wall and I have not even mentioned the domain name.

Fair enough. Might be worth putting a short intro and info about yourself outside the paywall as well.

 

[DoolallyTap]

What comes first, the investee introducing his plan and requirements in some detail, or the investor proving their credentials. Seem like Wilde86 wants to keep secrets until he finds the person.
Chicken and egg, he will not find the person without explaining the proposal.
Just for a very simple discussion start, any investor will want to know the cash requirement and the percentage offer. Until these basics points are known any discussion is pointless.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

What comes first, the investee introducing his plan and requirements in some detail, or the investor proving their credentials. Seem like Wilde86 wants to keep secrets until he finds the person.
Chicken and egg, he will not find the person without explaining the proposal.
Just for a very simple discussion start, any investor will want to know the cash requirement and the percentage offer. Until these basics points are known any discussion is pointless.

Understood and agree.

Once we've identified someone who has the credentials to help us, the basic details will be discussed, from there if there is interest an NDA will be signed and the business proposal will be presented.

I just won't be going into specifics here for obvious reasons.

 

[The Byre]

He is talking about a side business of mine that I set up really to help some close friends. The business helps brick and mortar businesses take their products online via partnering with them to build out the ecommerce store. It has nothing to do with the business I am discussing here.

That is not the issue here at all. I would expect someone running an online business to know what the minimum legal requirements are for a commercial website are and what good copy looks like. That website does not pass the sniff test. It really is that simple!

 

[Deleted member 353356]

That is not the issue here at all. I would expect someone running an online business to know what the minimum legal requirements are for a commercial website are and what good copy looks like. That website does not pass the sniff test. It really is that simple!

Have you seen any of my online businesses? Not my side businesses that I have set up to help friends, my actual businesses? My previous work history?

You can't sniff test anything, unless you're checking for a gas leak it isn't going to provide you with any information in the context here.

I really am only looking to talk to serious people here. I do appreciate the few replies on here who understand that they cannot judge something they do not know about.

As per the OP. I'm looking to speak to serious investors only, who understand the process of seed funding, then series A. We're looking for series A.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Understood and agree.

Once we've identified someone who has the credentials to help us, the basic details will be discussed, from there if there is interest an NDA will be signed and the business proposal will be presented.

I just won't be going into specifics here for obvious reasons.

That's just crazy, You need to state what credentials you are looking for? All you say so far is - investors who are passionate about disrupting the building materials industry. So the investor has to prove their worth before discovering what they may be committing themselves to.
No one is going to want to be interviewed by you, at least until they know the cash requirement and the percentage offer, and a more detailed proposal.
Investors don't generally go out touting, it must be you touting for them.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

That's just crazy, You need to state what credentials you are looking for? All you say so far is - investors who are passionate about disrupting the building materials industry. So the investor has to prove their worth before discovering what they may be committing themselves to.
No one is going to want to be interviewed by you, at least until they know the cash requirement and the percentage offer, and a more detailed proposal.
Investors don't generally go out touting, it must be you touting for them.

Have you ever done this before?

Honestly. I can't be wasting time on responses like this.

Start up's do not share the ins and outs of their business on internet forums.

I can see this forum is not up to the standard I was hoping for. I suppose the value here is going to be more for people at the very first stages of their business career.

I'll close the thread.

Thank you to the others.

 

[Clinton]

As per the OP. I'm looking to speak to serious investors only, who understand the process of seed funding, then series A. We're looking for series A.

That you know some terminology - like NDA and Series A - doesn't mean you understand fundraising.

People who invest in startups don't typically sign NDAs. It would be stupid for them to do so given that if they don't invest in your business and a better business comes along in the same line they are possibly restricted by the NDA they already signed with you.

Some of them see a hundred proposals in a given month. If they sign NDAs on all of them they are pretty much screwing themselves out of most future opportunities.

If you really have a bit of a moat - first mover advantage, an industry insider who's provided seed etc etc - then you won't be afraid of disclosing what you've got. Fear of disclosure is generally based on a fear of someone competing with you.

If you're that worried about a competitor coming in then you don't really have any significant advantage!

The value that an investor will see in your startup is not the precious "idea" as much as you might think that your idea is genius! They're more interested in the people behind the project, what they've already committed, what they've achieved with the project to date etc. It's about everything except the bloody idea.

An NDA exists largely to protect the idea.

You wanting to start with an NDA suggests you see the value in the idea rather than the other attributes of the project. That, on its own, is enough to send any serious investor running.

You think it's funny that I won't share the details of my business with someone from a forum on the internet without first knowing anything about them.

I don't think it's funny, I think it's bloody hilarious.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

That you know some terminology - like NDA and Series A - doesn't mean you know sh*t about fundraising.

People who invest in startups don't typically sign NDAs. It would be stupid for them to do so given that if they don't invest in your business and a better business comes along in the same line they are possibly restricted by the NDA they already signed with you.

Some of them see a hundred proposals in a given month. If they sign NDAs on all of them they are pretty much screwing themselves out of most future opportunities.

If you really have a bit of a moat - first mover advantage, an industry insider who's provided seed etc etc - then you won't be afraid of disclosing what you've got. Fear of disclosure is generally based on a fear of someone competing with you.

If you're that worried about a competitor coming in then you don't really have any significant advantage!

The value that an investor will see in your startup is not the precious "idea" as much as you might think that your idea is genius! They're more interested in the people behind the project, what they've already committed, what they've achieved with the project to date etc. It's about everything except the bloody idea.

An NDA exists largely to protect the idea.

You wanting to start with an NDA suggests you see the value in the idea rather than the other attributes of the project. That, on its own, is enough to send any serious investor running.



I don't think it's funny, I think it's bloody hilarious.

Christ.

While I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me, please do not bother any further. As someone who's helped others through this process several times I know exactly how it works and I can see you're talking from a position of complete ignorance.

An alarm bell to me is someone who forms an opinion on something without having any understanding of the subject. In this case, the business.

I am simply asking for recommendations from others of investors who would be willing to hear details.

You are not an investor, you do not get the privilege of the details.

It is fairly simple. Are you, or do you know an investor or investment company who would be interested in hearing details of an exciting start up, backed by professionals.

This is obviously not the place to be asking, so please disregard the thread. I won't bother mentioning what's displayed on your profile, but I will say that there really is no need for you to input further, because I certainly would not be interested in sharing details with you.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Have you ever done this before?

Honestly. I can't be wasting time on responses like this.

Start up's do not share the ins and outs of their business on internet forums.

I can see this forum is not up to the standard I was hoping for. I suppose the value here is going to be more for people at the very first stages of their business career.

I'll close the thread.

Thank you to the others.

Yes I have done this before, with serious values. I have PM'ed you with no answer.
The cash requirement and the percentage offer, can be public knowledge, there is no need for secrecy, indeed, once known, any dreamers will go away.

 

[Deleted member 353356]

Yes I have done this before, with serious values. I have PM'ed you with no answer.
The cash requirement and the percentage offer, can be public knowledge, there is no need for secrecy, indeed, once known, any dreamers will go away.

Hadn't seen your PM, apologies.

I have replied now ?

 

[The Byre]

They're more interested in the people behind the project, what they've already committed, what they've achieved with the project to date etc. It's about everything except the bloody idea.

And that is the sniff test. Nathan posted a link to a website. The website did not pass the sniff test. It is what we call in German an Armutszeugnis - a certificate of poverty.

You wanting to start with an NDA suggests you see the value in the idea rather than the other attributes of the project. That, on its own, is enough to send any serious investor running.

Imagine two people come to you with an idea for a big movie. One is called John and the other is called James. John wants to make a movie about green space monkeys. James wants to make a movie about blue space monkeys.

You look at what they've done so far. John made a slasher movie that failed, so you shake your head. James made Avatar and his second name is Cameron. Your next question should be "Where do I sign and how big a slice can I get?"

Businesses are made of people. We don't invest in ideas. We invest in people.