“透視領導力”是《財富》雜志一個在線互動社區，美國創業領域最有思想、最具影響力的商界人士將在此回答關于創業與職業的問題。今天我們的問題是：“向投資人推銷創業想法最好的辦法是什么？”以下為The Tech Map公司創始人兼CEO約翰·伯格的回答。

隨著技術變化日新月異，更多的創業者試圖自己當老板，也就不足為奇了。雖然自己創業可以帶來自由和靈活性，但這是一條充滿挑戰的道路，尤其是在推銷的時候。你知道如何找到合適的人推銷你的想法，并將其變成現實嗎？

僅僅做一些基本的功課，是不可能說服精明的投資人奉上大筆資金的。個人投資人、天使投資人、天使網絡和風險投資人，都必須遵守盡職調查流程。他們希望看到你已經在努力挖掘各種細節。商業計劃書、財務預測和市場分析，將幫助投資人深入了解你的初創公司所在的行業。沒有投資人會說，你準備的公司信息太多了。

其實，尋找投資人并沒有你想象的那么難。否定我的觀點之前，不妨想想你上一次特意跟一位朋友說你要找投資人的情形。這位朋友很可能認識你正在尋找的某位投資人。

通過下面這些方式，你可以找到并且接觸到投資人：

社交團體

Technori和Tech Combustion等聚會組織經常舉辦各種活動，科技界的創業者不妨抓住這些機會。創業者可以在這類場合向當地社區推銷他們的初創公司，表明自己對于聯合創始人、技術工作或者投資人的需求。除了這些公關機會，這些活動還能讓你推銷自己的想法，聽取有助于幫助公司發展的反饋意見。

創業孵化器項目

這種周期性項目致力于為初創公司提供發展和擴大業務的短期機會。創業者可以在這里獲得指導和不同階段的融資。此外，在項目周期內，創業者可以在孵化器現場專心開展自己的項目。Techstars、Capital Factory和Y Combinator都是不錯的選擇。

天使網絡

與孵化器項目類似，天使網絡（如Central Texas Angel Network、Silverton Partners和Austin Ventures等）都有融資周期，初創公司在加入之前必須申請。天使網絡最終將在一個融資周期內聚集最大數量的初創公司，不過如果沒有達到標準也不要灰心。天使投資人可以單獨選擇投資對象，并對選中的公司進行投資。有的天使網絡甚至有導師/辦公時間，你可以去推銷你的公司，收集反饋和咨詢問題。

初創公司要想吸引投資人，磨練推銷藝術是關鍵。利用個人教練，參加演講課程，或者觀看其他初創公司的推銷內容，可以幫助你增強自己的推銷能力，更好地應對漫漫創業路上的各種挑戰。(財富中文網)

本文作者約翰·伯格為Tech Map公司的創始人兼CEO。

譯者：劉進龍/汪皓

審校：任文科

The Entrepreneur Insider network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question “What’s the best way to pitch a startup idea to investors?” is written by Johan Borge, founder and CEO of The Tech Map.

With technology constantly getting faster, it’s no wonder more entrepreneurs are taking a stab at becoming their own boss. And while freedom and flexibility are great, building your own business can make for a challenging road ahead, especially when it’s time to pitch. Do you know how to get in front of the right people to pitch your idea for a shot at making it a reality?

No smart investor will hand over cash until you do more than your basic homework. There’s a due diligence process that individual investors, angel investors, angel networks, and venture capitalists have to follow. They want to see that you have put in the work to flush out details. Business plans, financial projections, and market analysis will help an investor learn more about the industry your startup is looking to break into. No investor will tell you that you have too much information ready about your business.

Investors aren’t as hard to find as you might think. Before you tell me I’m wrong, think of the last time you specifically told someone you were looking for investors. Chances are if you mention to others what you’re looking for, they’ll know someone.

Here are some other ways you can find and get access to investors:

Networking groups

Meetup groups like Technori and Tech Combustionhost events that entrepreneurs in tech, for example, should take advantage of. These events allow companies to pitch their startups to the local community and request anything from cofounders to technical work to investors. Not only are these events great PR for the company, but they also give you the opportunity to pitch and receive feedback to continually help grow your startup.

Incubator programs

These cyclical programs offer startups an intense, short-term opportunity to grow and scale their business. Entrepreneurs get mentoring and various stages of funding, and are typically required to be onsite and work on the project intently for the duration of the program. Techstars, Capital Factory, and Y Combinator are great places to start.

Angel networks

Like incubator programs, angel networks (Central Texas Angel Network, Silverton Partners, andAustin Ventures, for example) have funding cycles and application processes that startups go through before joining. The network will eventually end up with a max number of startups in a funding cycle, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the cut. Individual angel investors have the option to independently reach out and make a deal if they so choose. Some angel networks even have mentor/office hours where you can come in and pitch your business, collect feedback, and ask questions.

Nailing the art of pitching is key if startups want to attract investors. Using personal coaches, attendingspeaking classes, and watching other startup pitchescan help you improve your own and better navigate the challenging entrepreneurial road ahead.

Johan Borge is founder and CEO of The Tech Map.