Securing funding is one of the toughest hurdles that startups need to overcome. While there are several options to choose from, Andreas Birnik, partner at global venture capital fund Antler, shares three ways for startups to catch their attention. 

And, it’s all back to basics.

1. Don’t underestimate networking power

As cliché as it may sound, Mr Birnik says networking helps ensure the right people to know who you are.

“We do a lot of inbound references from trusted advisors and key people in our network. So one very good way is if you believe you are a top talent, is to have people refer you who are already in our network.”

2. Demonstrate your skills

Mr Birnik said that once you’ve got the inside running as an individual candidate, the next step is to demonstrate that you have what it takes to become a successful business founder.

Think education, career track record and diversity of skills.

“If someone’s only held easy roles, they might not be ready for how tough it is to work in a start up….We want to see a good educational background, a good career track record, and evidence they’ve acquired a lot of key skills.”

3. Focus on scalability

Mr Birnik says they prefer startups with a nimble tech idea, rather than a capital intensive project.

“We’re really looking for teams that can build highly scalable companies without using too much op-ex or cap-ex.”

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