Investor Insights - the secret to fast funding!

🚀 Struggling to raise capital while scaling your business? You’re not alone. Most founders follow outdated fundraising advice—and that’s why they fail.  Today, investor and entrepreneur Callum Laing joins Adam to reveal how the smartest founders attract investment, not chase it. Forget cold pitches and Shark Tank-style interrogations—this episode will reframe everything you thought you knew about raising money. Most founders fundraise the wrong way—pitching cold, chasing investors, and hoping for a yes. But the real game is about attracting investment, not begging for it. In this episode, Adam and Callum Laing—an investor who has raised tens of millions and helped over 100 companies go public—break down why traditional fundraising advice is broken.  Learn how the best founders build investor relationships before they need capital, why trust matters more than pitch decks, and how to flip the script so investors come to you. 🚀 If you're ready to raise capital the smart way, this episode is a must-listen. 🔥 Why You Should Listen: ✔️ The #1 mistake founders make when seeking investment—and how to avoid it. ✔️ How to become the founder investors WANT to fund (hint: it's not about your pitch deck). ✔️ The hidden reality of venture capital vs. family offices—and why most VCs lose money. ✔️ Why raising capital should be your last resort—not your first move. ✔️ How to de-risk your business and make investment decisions without desperation. Learn how to scale and exit faster by applying to join our waitlist for our next cohort to the game changers inner circle business mastermind go to https://bit.ly/business-mastermind-waitlist for more info 💡 Key Takeaways: Investors don’t want to be pitched. They want to find opportunities through trusted networks. Cold outreach is a waste of time. The best deals happen through warm introductions. Raising money doesn’t solve all problems. Often, a lack of funding forces better decisions. If you’re desperate for money, you’ve already lost leverage. Build relationships before you need them. Your personal brand is an investment magnet. Investors back founders they see as credible. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Capital Raising Challenges 03:04 The Importance of Networking in Business 05:51 Common Mistakes in Approaching Investors 09:11 The Role of Trust and Track Record 11:47 Understanding Investor Needs 15:09 The Impact of Economic Conditions on Investment 18:01 Shifting Mindsets: From Desperation to Value Creation 20:52 Building Relationships with Investors 23:46 Creating Products that Meet Investor Demands 26:53 Navigating Economic Excuses in Investment Discussions 29:53 Maintaining Control in Investor Conversations 33:41 Raising Capital: The Board Member's Role 36:32 The Reality of Pitching: Beyond Entertainment 39:54 Building Trust: The Importance of Advisory Boards 41:55 Personal Branding: Credibility and Visibility 46:34 Preparing for Meetings: Control the Conversation 51:30 Understanding Investors: The Importance of Relationships 53:29 Investment Regrets: Lessons Learned 01:01:23 Minimising Risk: The Power of Diversification 01:03:49 Final Thoughts: Building Relationships with Investors 🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️ Subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify Help us to make a bigger impact by buying me a cup of tea 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thebusinessstrategist Tag us and share the show with your network ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumlaing/ https://x.com/laingcallum https://www.youtube.com/@CallumLaing 2 years free GILD Membership ($2,376) by going to GILDMembers.com/?Strong ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Have you got a plan for scale in 2024? If not, take the business growth quiz here: https://howtogrowabusiness.scoreapp.com Apply to our waitlist for our next cohort to the game changers inner circle business mastermind go to https://bit.ly/business-mastermind-waitlist for more info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices