How Should I Prepare for a Meeting with Insight Investors?

There are likely dozens of thoughts racing through a founder's head before a first meeting with potential investors.

Ryan Hinkle, Managing Director at Insight Partners, has one piece of advice for those preparing for that initial sit-down: Just be yourself.

That may seem easier said than done, but according to Hinkle in our Scale-Up Hack video "How Should I Prepare for a Meeting with Insight Investors?" there's nothing harder than being something you are not. Trying to present yourself and your business according to what you think investors want to hear won't let your true vision shine through.

As Hinkle notes, founders may spend a lot of time talking about themselves and where they or the business comes from. While it may feel natural to have this sort of context, the real meat of the interaction will occur when you describe your vision. Investors invest in where you’re going, not where you’ve been. To that end, concentrate not only on overall goals, but also specifics, such as the number of salespeople you aim to add per quarter.

The trick is to strike a balance between being true to yourself and succinctly explaining your definition of success, as Hinkle puts it. 

For more insight on how to prepare, watch our video.

Ryan Hinkle Managing Director More By The Author