I have a very solid start up I'm working on right now, Currently saving up to get the site setup. But this is just a foundation, to thrive I need it to be recognized by the public, and organizations in it's field. How can one get or make his/her idea known to investors? It's unique and would be the first in Nigeria, probably Africa. And only sites close to, but not exactly like it exist in US and maybe other countries (I might be wrong, but at least from my research on google, I've found none so far). I have the outline set, planned it.. and projections of possible drawbacks too have been made, along with likely solutions. But I'm scared to launch the site, and advertise with the little I have, because I do not want someone else with more money to come and bury my idea with a duplicate. (As you'll know in Nigeria, once something good is launched, a month later 2 clones have been set up with over 500 google searches on how to start the same, and over 20 freelance posts requesting for a clone to be made).

I also need tips on how to share the ideas with investors, when I find, as I still wouldn't trust them not to hijack the idea and venture on their own.

I'd rather wait 3 years saving up than risk seeing my idea flourish with someone else. But as the saying goes. best time to act is NOW!

So please, how do I reach out to investors(either exact or just related) that helped out startups like iroko, jobberman, jumia, konga, carmudi, etc.


I know iroko founder has SPARK. but I do not want to limit myself to one source, and The site isn't ready yet. Just the idea. But if I could get help with setting up the site too, I wouldn't mind, as saving up can take few months. But rome wasn't built in a day, so if I must have the site first. It's no problem. But I need funding for awareness to the public and the organizations in the field nation wide... to some extent at least.


So please fellow NLers, How can one reach out to investors, with a start up (idea)?

No one? Any little tip would help

You can check this website www.angelstartups.com.ng it may help you.

Bro, I've been in your shoes before, and know how it feels, now lemme clear you on some things
1. No one, I repeat, no one is gonna still your idea, in fact you should worry more on execution and not idea cos do you know why? eeeh lemme tell you idea is trash, it's worth nothing. Ever seen a market for startup ideas? no, so that tells you that there are no worths attached to ideas. My advice to you at this point is to unwind a little, share the idea to people get feedback from them and see if there is a market for your product or service, tweek it according to what people say.
2. Getting investors to invest at this stage is very difficult cos they are afraid of the uncertainty of your product, and most times, you have to bootstrapp until you reach a reasonable milestone. For example, SPARK will not invest in your business unless you start generating over N100,000 a month in revenue.
3. Finally, my advice to you is to share your idea with some people, find out if it solves a need, tweak your designs according to the feedbacks you receive, in order to get your MVP(minimum viable product), now source your target customers or users before launching, you can do that inexpensevly without spending a dime through social media, forums etc and let's I forget, starting getting active on social networks, follow and like the people you perceive as your target audience and tell them about your product, so that when you launch, you will have early adopters. Now at this point is where the journey begins budget low cost targeted advert medium and follow up your customers at this point, you will find out that you may not even need the funding anymore. And let's I forget, whatever you do, pray and commit it into the hands of God, you will surely succeed. Good luck and remember me when you get to the top.

ogalandlord:
You can check this website www.angelstartups.com.ng it may help you.

uchdollar111:
Bro, I've been in your shoes before, and know how it feels, now lemme clear you on some things
1. No one, I repeat, no one is gonna still your idea, in fact you should worry more on execution and not idea cos do you know why? eeeh lemme tell you idea is trash, it's worth nothing. Ever seen a market for startup ideas? no, so that tells you that there are no worths attached to ideas. My advice to you at this point is to unwind a little, share the idea to people get feedback from them and see if there is a market for your product or service, tweek it according to what people say.
2. Getting investors to invest at this stage is very difficult cos they are afraid of the uncertainty of your product, and most times, you have to bootstrapp until you reach a reasonable milestone. For example, SPARK will not invest in your business unless you start generating over N100,000 a month in revenue.
3. Finally, my advice to you is to share your idea with some people, find out if it solves a need, tweak your designs according to the feedbacks you receive, in order to get your MVP(minimum viable product), now source your target customers or users before launching, you can do that inexpensevly without spending a dime through social media, forums etc and let's I forget, starting getting active on social networks, follow and like the people you perceive as your target audience and tell them about your product, so that when you launch, you will have early adopters. Now at this point is where the journey begins budget low cost targeted advert medium and follow up your customers at this point, you will find out that you may not even need the funding anymore. And let's I forget, whatever you do, pray and commit it into the hands of God, you will surely succeed. Good luck and remember me when you get to the top.

Thank you both. I'll go through the site and also work on getting opinions and review on the idea. I'll also set it up based on feedback gotten, and once a min of 100k in revenue (like SPARK needs) begins to come in monthly, I'll search for investors. And like you said, I may not require help actually by then.

Yaa dats tru uchdollar, op its not abt ideas oo, its just deadly execution! No one thinks abt an idea first, its probably in another pson head somewhere in the world. Truth you have to tell people everyonen ur gateman, ur mom, ur friends everyone, and get their opinions.

You just have to start whether with lil capital or not, start. Its not actually v easy to replicate ideas easily. As promising as facebook was, it took google anoda 4 years to start their own version. Believe it not v easy to replicate ideas unless d barrier to entry is very small. Start quickly, make sure the idea can generate money, then you can start pitching. You can also try ventures4africa.biz