Photo from Shutterstock

Originally Posted On: https://berkshire-inc.com/investing-in-startups-to-grow-wealth/

 

Investing is always a great way to grow your wealth. You can choose to invest in stocks, bonds, or even to invest in businesses themselves.

One type of business that you can invest in is startups. Startups provide you with the benefit of getting in on the action early so that you can make large amounts of money farther down the line.

If you’re interested in learning to invest in startups, this guide is for you. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about investing in businesses that are just starting out.

Why You Should Invest in Startups

If you’re thinking of becoming a funder, good for you! Investing in startups is a great choice. Here are a few of the key reasons why people choose to invest in startups.

Startups Have Huge Growth Potential

It’s true that large stocks in the S&P 500 tend to be less risky than startup investments. However, they don’t have very much room for growth. In contrast, startups are growing businesses and give you the opportunity to really boost your wealth.

You Can Support Personal Connections

Whether a friend or family is starting a business or you’re helping someone else in your network, supporting a startup is a great way to build and foster connections. It can be a huge networking opportunity and a great way to support people who are close to you.

It’s Fulfilling

This might seem like a simple reason for investing in startups, but it’s certainly an accurate one. When you choose to invest in a startup, you are choosing to participate in something exciting. It can give you a great sense of fulfillment as you support people you know in their business ventures.

The Risks of Investing in Startups

While there are plenty of reasons why funding startups is a great investment strategy, it’s important to be aware of the risks, too. Let’s discuss a few of the risks associated with investing in startups.

Many Startups Fail

While investing in startups is certainly exciting, it’s important to know that many startups end up failing. This can be because of a poor product-market fit, internal issues, or marketing struggles. Being prepared to lose your investment is part of the reality of investing in startups.

Startups Aren’t Liquid Investments

Unlike many other stocks, when you invest in a startup, you can’t sell your stock easily if you change your mind. Instead, your money is likely to be tied up for the next five years or so. If you need liquid investments, a startup is not the best choice for you.

Growth is Slow

The first few years of a startup’s operations typically involve losses. That means that you might not see a return on your investment for years. If you’re planning to invest in startups, you’re going to need to have a lot of patience.

How to Invest in Startup Companies That Offer a Good ROI

Part of making smart investment decisions is knowing what companies to invest in. Here’s how to choose which startup companies to invest your money in.

Choose a Team That’s Passionate

This should go without saying, but you want to choose a startup where the founders are excited and passionate about what they’re doing. If they’re not, they could quickly lose steam and fail to even get their business off the ground.

Select Something Innovative

The concept behind a startup that you choose to fund should be innovative. It should be something that hasn’t been tried before or that is proposing a new approach to an old problem. Ask questions about why now is the time to create this product and why this product makes sense.

Make Sure There’s a Large Market

A great idea isn’t going anywhere without a great market. You need to make sure that there’s a big market for the product you choose to invest in. Otherwise, the startup isn’t likely to succeed and you won’t see any kind of return on your investment.

Tips for Choosing to Invest in Startups

To help make your startup investments a success, you should keep a few things in mind. Following these tips will help ensure that you can get a positive ROI on your investment.

Consult a Financial Professional

Before jumping right into startup investments, be sure to run your plan past a financial professional. This can help ensure that you’re making a solid investment decision. Your financial advisor will be able to offer advice and guidance as you invest.

Don’t Invest Large Amounts

One mistake many people make when investing in startups is to invest large sums of money. You should only invest about 5% of your portfolio in startups to make sure that you aren’t creating too much risk.

Be Prepared for Losses

While no one wants their business to fail, you need to remember that losses are a harsh reality of investing in startups. Don’t invest money that’s required for a mortgage or other critical payments. Instead, use additional resources that you are prepared to lose in the worst-case scenario.

Invest in Startups Today

With this simple guide, you’re ready to invest in startups and begin making a solid ROI. You’ll be prepared for any situation and will know what to expect from your choice to invest in startups or crowdfunding opportunities.

So, now that you know how to invest in startups, it’s time to get to work. Give Berkshire International a call and we’ll show you how to find startups to invest in so you can grow your finances!