Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have a great idea that I have been working on for the past few months. I have everything on paper. The problem is I know that investors usually invest in businesses that have been physically started up. I do not have the capital to even start up what I am trying to do as I am a college student and that is my main focus. I don`t have time to work and make the start up money. My question is do investors invest in just an idea? Would I be able to acquire the funds to start it from scratch? Are there any programs that would link me with programmers and all the assets I need for start up?  The idea is well thought out and has been worked on and improved for months. Any assistance will greatly be appreciated. 

Investors definitely invest in just ideas, just needs to be a good one.  Get some customers to sign up (before you talk to investors) to use your service/product once it`s developed.  Then all you need to do is convince the investors that you and your team can carry out your technical plans.

You`ve essentially removed the market risk and just need to relieve the technical and management risks.

It is actually an idea of a very cool social network. No product..the social network does offer a few services. The niche I am going for has very little competition.  

Jbolden,

While some people invest in ideas - most who invest at that stage do so because of the people involved. I`d look to "build" a team around your idea - one that will be attractive to capital sources.

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I’ll have to agree with Robert.

Most investors will invest in people with great ideas, but very rarely do they invest in just an idea. The reason for this is plain and simple; they don’t want to run the business!

I think Robert made an excellent point recommending that you start surrounding yourself with a few people that can help you advance your concept and turn it into a solid strategy.

Another option is teaming up with a so-called business incubator. Google it!

On a side note… Social networking or Web 2.0 is just a big buzzword. Interest in this sector has sharply declined among investors, because it is notoriously difficult to make money off even vastly successful social networks such as My Space or Facebook.

If your idea is indeed radically difficult, please send me a PM and I will try to give you a few more pointers.

I hope this helps.


Mark



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Jackson Steiner
http://www.JacksonSteiner.com

Advanced Document Design for entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and the financial services industry.
http://www.Publications.FastVentures.com

I didn`t realize you were talking a social site, I thought you had a product.  I now have to side with the others.  Your goal is to relieve doubt and it is hard to prove a market exists for these sort of things, so you have to count on having people that have been there and done that.

Maybe consider going to a bank that offers start-up financing. From what I remember, if you get declined, banks will often try to get you approved for a SBA-backed loan. Go into your local bank and ask about it.


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Motivation for Entrepreneurs
Entre-Propel.com

Thanks everyone and FastVentures I sent you a pm. I am just trying to look at all of my options.

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