Entrepreneurs often focus on how they can prepare for an investor meeting. They have their business plan in order, make sure all financial documents are in place, and practice the key points of their pitch deck. Interviewing an investor is a two-way exchange. The questions you ask an investor provide you with a wealth of information about their approach and expectations when working with startups.

Standard Investor Questions

Investors are interested in how you know your business model, as well as what you think of as a market opportunities your company has. They’ll also want to know how you’re planning for growth, which metrics matter to you most and how you can create value for their investment. Your answers to these simple questions will provide a foundation for a deeper discussion later on during the interview.

Process and firm-specific questions

Doing your research on the investors and their investment practices before Financial Transactions meeting them is crucial. You can modify your approach to ensure it meets their requirements, and increase the chances that they will invest in your venture. Knowing what investors are looking for in terms of return and the typical timelines for deals will help you to align your approach with the goals of investors. Understanding how they’ve dealt with turbulence in their portfolio companies could give you insights into how they collaborate with founders in tough times.