A compelling business plan – we’ll cover this in a separate article
Track record of success – if you have a successful business it is much easier to find investment. Showcase your achievements and get third party evidence in the form of profitability, awards, and testimonials. The lack of a track record is why it is harder for startups to get investment. Success of your founders in other fields will help.
Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) – what makes you unique? How are you different from your competitors; preferably in ways that they can’t easily replicate.
Growth and profitability prospects – have a viable plan and, preferably, a pipeline.
Build a strong online presence and network – this is becoming more and more important as people seek validation online or from their network before purchasing or investing.