What's a startup's must-have before trying to raise investment?

Question

✍️ For a super early-stage startup, these are:

✔️ Pitch deck; 
✔️ elevator pitch; 
✔️ branding;
✔️ project website; 
✔️ social networks (in the brand identity); 
✔️ preferably a large detailed document with project description, user stories, competitor analysis, market validation, market analysis, tam sam som, strategy to achieve PMF, metrics already in place if any, description of funders and team, existing or potential partnerships, project roadmap like business plan by points and timelines, calculation of how much you want to raise, description of risks, 10 reasons why you will become a unicorn and/or why someone from GAFAM will buy you; 
✔️ if there is an MVP, a short video demonstrating how it works; 
✔️ if no MVP, a 1-2 min video explaining how it will work.

What do you think about it? 🧑‍🔬 Criticize, suggest, let's put together a comprehensive list for those who are just breaking into the startup scene 🚀

Din Relik · Accepted Answer

Great recommendation👌

Eugene Lipski · Answer

@din_relik you're on point, mate, cuz u know, haha :)

Slim Geransar · Answer

Agreed super helpful checklist. I also think you need authentic passion for your project. I took a screenshot of your post. Thank you for sharing

André J · Answer

@eugene_lipski Yepp. Chicken or the egg problem for sure.

Eugene Lipski · Answer

@sentry_co Absolutely right! But in order to get customers, you need to show them some value, and for that you need a product or at least a presentation of the product

Arz · Answer

Great checklist Eugene! Saved me hours of research :p

André J · Answer

Customers. That's all you need.

What's a startup's must-have before trying to raise investment?

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