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July 23, 2025 · 3 min read
Raising funds is hard. And as a non-technical founder, it may feel intimidating, but it’s entirely possible, and many have done it successfully. The key lies in preparation, clarity, and leveraging the right resources. Here are five essential tips to help you get investment-ready in the next six months, plus real-life stories to inspire your journey.
1. Validate the Problem: Investors want proof that you’re solving a real problem. To achieve this, you’ll need to talk to potential customers and gather feedback (don’t worry about a large sample size just yet). The data you get from the potential customers would be used to demonstrate that there’s a demand for your solution. Even without a tech product, a validated idea can go a long way in convincing a potential investor.
The image below is a detailed breakdown of Airbnb. Including a breakdown of their revenue channels.
2. Build an MVP/Prototype that works: Even if you’re not technical, having a Minimum Viable Product, or at least a clickable prototype, shows investors you’re serious.
Daniel Ek, co-founder of Spotify, partnered with engineers early on to create a minimal product that delivered fast music streaming. Before scaling, they had a simple but powerful demo that wowed investors by showing the product’s potential, even if it was limited in scope.
If you’re non-technical, working with a partner like SixBerries can help you build that early product with speed and clarity.
3. Know Your Numbers: You don’t need to be a walking database, but there are some numbers you should know by heart. Your TAM (Total accessible market), potential revenue value, customer acquisition cost, company worth, and the % you’re offering. Knowing your numbers would always boost your confidence.
Melanie Perkins, the non-technical co-founder of Canva, pitched over 100 times before landing her first major investor. What stood out? Her deep knowledge of the market opportunity and a clear path to revenue. She could articulate how many users they needed, what it would cost to acquire them, and how they’d monetize at scale.
4. Assemble a Balanced Team: You don’t need to code, but you must show you can build a strong team. Bring in advisors or collaborators with tech or product backgrounds. Investors bet on people as much as they bet on ideas.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, didn’t build the product herself. But she partnered with a strong tech team and ex-Tinder engineers who could execute her vision. Investors felt confident not just in her leadership, but in the team’s technical capabilities.
You don’t have to know how to build it—you just need to show that someone on your team can.
5. Tell a Compelling Pitch Story: Make your pitch memorable. Focus on your “why,” the size of the opportunity, and the impact your product will have. Use simple, jargon-free language to communicate how your startup is solving a real-world issue.
Ifeoma Nwobu told the story of Sendstack while pitching to investors gathered at the Norrsken Accelerator 2023.
