I tend to be anti-VC because it seems so many fail. At this point though, I realize that I need additional capital. It's simply too much for me to do it all.<p>I've been working on this idea for a few years now. The product is quite good. It does amazing things for people. I do have paying customers. Everyone who knows about the product thinks it's absolutely amazing.<p>Here's the problem. the only way I'd be able to get investment is to knock on doors. There is a little projector in my brain showing me a movie of myself walking down Sandhill Road going into offices, asking if I can talk to someone. That's where the movie ends. I don't know if the receptionist would say, "Sorry, there's no one available right now. Can I take your..."<p>The other option would be, "Sure, let me see if Mr. X is available. Mr. X, I have someone here who'd like just a few minutes of your time. Okay, he'll be right out."<p>So I show Mr. X what I have and, "That's pretty good. What do you want to do with our money?"<p>Sometimes I think I just gotta do it. I am stopped by fear of wasting my time. I'm stopped by fear of rejection. I'm stopped by thoughts of my own grandiosity and knowledge that my personal bias -- of course -- makes me think this product is great.<p>I need some commercialization. I need some refinement, but I've got 3 years of R&D under my belt. It's one of the best products in its space. Customers who can understand it love it.<p>Sometimes I feel like I owe it to the world to help this thing get out there. With about $250,000 I could really take it to new heights. Refine the UI. Market it. Package it. How do I find that money? How do I connect with the people who would <i>understand</i> what I'm doing here?<p>Can I go knock on doors? I will if it wouldn't be a waste of time...<p>EDIT: Might as well let you know what it is. Here's a link to a new version of the site we'll launch soon: http://design.qrimp.com
I am curious who the customers for this are? How come you need 250k if the price tag is pretty big at 500/month or 5k/month? Why do you need 250k?<p>If 250k for to last you 1 year (12 months) =~ 21k /month
or 4 medium business accounts or 40 small biz accounts.<p>If there was some product adoption like you hint at, I can't see why you would be asking for such a small amount of money.<p>I feel like you're hiding something... "Everyone who knows about the product thinks it's absolutely amazing." and "I do have paying customers"... so where is the money? Is your pricing/business model flawed and you've had some people try it really cheap but not willing to pay those advertised prices?<p>Another issue I see is "Customers who can understand it love it." Why don't others understand it? Looking at your site it wasn't exactly clear what it does. Does your mother understand it? How about your grandmother? If you can explain it to them, your target customers shouldn't be a problem.
You should seriously think about finding some advisors before you raise money. The time and expense is well worth the effort.<p>Set up a board of advisors for your company, and try to get 1-3 successful entrepreneurs in your field (or related fields) to serve on it. Give them a bit of equity. Talk to them individually, but also try to get them all in one room at least once.<p>You can reach potential advisors through networking events, through service providers like lawyers, and by just emailing them (repeatedly if necessary). You might want to start by hiring a lawyer or accountant who is connected in the community, and asking for help with intros.<p>Among other things, your board of advisors will help you understand the type of investor that makes sense for you. If you're trying to raise $250K to ramp a business up to a few million/yr, then odds are no one on Sand Hill Rd will be interested. But that doesn't mean it's a bad business -- you just have to look elsewhere for investment.
If you've got a product with paying customers, and a business plan that shows how an additional $250K in capital will bring you X% growth over Y years, you're definitely in a position to pitch to VC/Angels.<p>So, make some telephone calls, and set up some appointments with VC/Angels in your local area. Try to avoid the instinct to deliver the pitch over the phone; just paint the picture in broad strokes, and try to get the meeting.<p>Seriously: what's the problem?
Sorry, you might have "paying customers" and they might think it's amazing but I'm going to have to disagree with you on your perception of good. I don't quite understand what your product is, does or what problem it's solving or who it's even for and there's no immediate wow-I-get-it-ness to it. Custom Software App builder? Why do I need it? Is it even that? Are you building apps for people? Judging by the language on your site the level of sophistication needed to use your product, the person should be able build it themselves.<p>I highly doubt that anyone would give you money and why $250,000? how will that accomplish anything? It just seems like a finger in a wind number. Refine your idea then refine it some more. You're getting high on your own idea.<p>Your website is really off-center when browsed in chrome, try looking at it at 1024 screen.
If you tell us what the product is, there's a much higher likelihood of getting help. In fact, there are people here who might invest. FWIW, I can certainly introduce you to angels/VCs who will take a meeting, but I'd have to know more about your business first. So bottom line: share!
'Knocking on doors' won't work - that's just not how money is raised. Even if it got you meetings, the amount you need is lower than a Sand Hill Road VC invests. You need angel investors or 'seed stage' funds. Happily, there's lots of those. You also need a warm introduction from someone who knows them. This you can get through a little networking.<p>'Venture Hacks' is probably the best online 'how to raise money' resource.
To start any business you have to take risk. You've gotten this far with your idea, the worst that can happen is they say no. But, now you've got experience pitching to VCs.<p>Understand that the fear of rejection is just that: fear. It's part of the risk. Sometimes, rejection can be a damn good motivator.