The world of startup funding can be a scary place for optimistic entrepreneurs. Early failure is almost guaranteed for many of them, and oftentimes it can be attributed to a shortage of funding money. On the other side of the coin - presenting a well researched and carefully prepared funding presentation to investors, and having them accept your proposal - that is an exciting and rewarding experience. Your Idea, Their Money is an encyclopedia for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners who are working to fund their ventures.

This book covers the necessary topics to  raise funds as an entrepreneur, including the definitions of financial terms, common misconceptions regarding investors and startups, and guidance for choosing the best method of fundraising for your project.

The basic concept that many entrepreneurs fail to understand is the difference between investor and entrepreneur mind-sets. The two parties view money through different lenses. Business owners search for funds as a means to get their operation off the ground. An investor only supplies money when a profit can be realized. As an entrepreneur, you must understand both sides of this dynamic to effectively pitch to investors and raise funds.

It is essential to recognize and categorize the current stage of the funding of your startup, in order to engineer a custom strategy to target the correct investors. Startups are split up into four stages: self-funding, seed capital, venture, and IPO. All are explained in depth in this book.

After a startup is categorized, the next step is to identify funding sources and create a plan of attack. Personal preference holds a great deal of weight in this decision, but  most entrepreneurs make poor choices at this point. Typically, business owners target the hardest methods of acquiring funds, and thus limit their fundraising potential. If the entrepreneur will widen their vision and knowledge, they can increase the likelihood of increased funding.

Equity and debt financing comprise the two major methods of funding covered in this book. These methods are split into eleven options, which means that entrepreneurs are provided with more paths than they may initially realize. Choosing the right method is critical, and entrepreneurs reading this book will be equipped with the tools required to make their best decision possible.

Being the leader and founder of a business venture comes with its own unique set of responsibilities. These responsibilities are intertwined and exert a great impact on the financial viability and success of a startup. Every decision you make affects the present and future state of your company. If you fully understand those complex responsibilities and their importance, it will be easier to create a powerful and effective a business plan.

The business plan is arguably the most significant aspect of a startup, so a good portion of this book has been dedicated to the process of creating a plan. A solid business plan must be developed before any financial funding can be realized. Without it, startups fail to gain traction and soon crumble.

Another important skill that this book illustrates is the art of pitching a business idea. With their business plan in mind, an entrepreneur can use pitches as a means to gain investors and business partners.

The two pitch techniques explained in this book are the elevator pitch and the pitch deck. The elevator pitch is a short and sweet speech, to persuade the listener in two minutes or less and. It can be used in a variety of situations. The pitch deck is more formal and typically consists of a speech reinforced by a PowerPoint presentation. By following the rough template provided in this book, entrepreneurs can use the pitch deck to seal the deal with investors.

After learning the aforementioned terms and techniques, and completing all of the requirements, entrepreneurs will be well prepared to put their plan into action.

The final half of this book outlines the steps required for entrepreneurs to land investments. Using the skills, techniques, and terms introduced earlier in the book, business owners can use this outline as a guide to nail their fundraising and take their startup to the next level. It is a fantastic feeling to land that critical funding that will propel your business forward.

Startups aren’t guaranteed to succeed, and more often than not they fail rather quickly. Most entrepreneurs simply take the wrong approach to start a business, and it eventually backfires. The shortcomings range from disorganization or corner-cutting to a simple lack of education on key subjects, and leave many new business owners ill-equipped to survive the world of fundraising. Your Idea, Their Money looks to change that model, and make you a successful fundraiser.

In addition to poor technique, many entrepreneurs lack the mind-set that separates the successful from the unsuccessful. Everyone can find success, if they equip themselves with the proper fundamentals, and utilize them properly. Yes, an undeterred drive to succeed is absolutely crucial, but a willingness to fail and learn from your failures is equally important.

Perhaps the most important and beneficial concept covered in this book is contemplation and reflection. That is the process by which you learn from your mistakes, and determine ways not to repeat them. Every technique in this book has been used by countless entrepreneurs and business owners to gain success, but without assessing the results, nothing can be learned. As the book suggests, always take the time to reflect on your outcomes, whether positive or negative.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a new business owner, or even a success story, this book will be of great benefit to you. The ideas and concepts covered provide anyone with a great chance of landing investors, regardless of their education or background. If you want to increase your financial knowledge and take your startup to the top, this is the book for you!