Fortunately, these days, there are several opportunities available to entrepreneurs. Some successful business leaders—organizations and the government too—are setting up philanthropic organizations to assist budding entrepreneurs with seed capital. Also, since entrepreneurship is as trendy as Instagram and TikTok, angel investors and VCs are searching for businesses to invest in. So, it has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur if you truly know what you are doing. Although accessing fund is not as easy as chatting on Whatsapp, if you know the necessary steps to take, you can be the next lucky entrepreneur. Here are the necessary steps you need to take to help you access fund.

Step 1-Have a money spinning idea: Ideas rule the world. This of course has become a cliché, but it is the truth. Every successful business you see around you is a product of an idea. The conglomerates with skyscrapers or the small businesses operating from the trunks of cars or garages grew from ideas. So, the first thing you need is an idea; a spectacular one. Or else, it won’t spit money. Although I am from the school of thought that there are no foolish ideas, your idea needs to be unique so it won’t be another me-too idea that will be lost in the crowd.

Step 2-You need a business plan: Quite a number of entrepreneurs don’t believe in business plan and so did not start their businesses with one. But if you need someone to invest his or her hard earned money into your business, then you need a business plan. A business plan is a document that you as an entrepreneur need to properly understand the direction of your business. It is your road map to your destination. Also, a business plan is a universal document that you need to raise fund for your business. When writing your business plan, remember to focus on facts and figures. These two key factors will attract your investors. Your facts must be up to date and figures must be real enough to yield reasonable profit within the speculated time.

Step 3-Start small: It is not wise to carry your idea or business plan around hoping that you will start your business when you get an investor. That way, you will never start. Get up and start small. Don’t wait until you have everything in place; start with whatever you have. In fact, it is not advisable to start big even if you can access all the money in Swiss Bank. Starting small will help you understand your business, the market—customers—and industry. Most businesses that you see and admire all started small; yours won’t be the first. Start small and focus on result. Result is all you need to prove that you have a worthwhile business. Result is what your investors will be interested in.

Step 4-Shop for investors: Yes, you have to shop for investors. It is not like going to a grocery store, but investors won’t come to you. You have to find them. They are everywhere around you. They are your next door neighbor, family member, friends, and colleagues in the office, distant relations and total strangers too. To find investors, you have to learn how to identify and approach them. You have to learn how to sell your business to them. Make sure you have your facts and figures right; that is what your investors truly want to know. And once you find a potential investor, pitch your business so well that it will be too good to resist. And like they say, the rest will be history.