How do you secure early enterprise clients before raising investment capital?

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Accepted Answer

Hi,

I think you may have this backwards. You think you need the funding to get the client, when it's actually the exact opposite. Having a committed client is the absolute best way to get your investors to hand over the money.

So when you walk into that meeting, forget about your funding gap. Focus entirely on her. What is her biggest headache right now? What will she need to see to trust you to deliver?

Don't try to stall her. And absolutely don't mislead her. My suggestion: pitch her the solution and try to get some form of commitment. A conditional agreement or a Letter of Intent or at the very least a Soft Commit. Ultimatealy, you want her to answer yes to the question: If we can deliver X, will you sign?'

If she says yes, you don't just have a warm lead anymore. You have the exact proof your investors are looking for.