Many entrepreneurs begin attending pitching and networking events only when the time for raising money has come. This is not the boldest move to make. Fundraising is tough. It is challenging, competitive and can take a lot of time. Start the process of turning the odds of securing funding in your favor much before you actually need the money. If you want to be well-prepared and to have advantage over the competition, start attending pitching events long before you need to raise money. The benefits are many and here you will find three of the most important reasons why you should attend pitching events even though you are not currently fundraising.

Relationship with investors

Many entrepreneurs begin to look for connection with investors when they are ready to raise money. But soon they find out that getting the attention of the investors is not a piece of cake. It is a long process, which can last many months – from building the relationship through starting the negotiations to signing the final documents. Don’t let this waiting period to slow down the growth of your business and begin to establish relationships with the investors long before you start fundraising.

Pitching events are attended by many investors, who are looking for the next startup with great potential. But they also look for talent. Investors are curious to meet passionate and talented entrepreneurs, who are just starting. Imagine if you have solid relationship with the investors long before you pitch them – you will be well-recognized among the crowd and your pitch will definitely stand out.

The entrepreneurship support system

Networking events are the best places to meet with fellow entrepreneurs. It is important to establish good relationships with people, who, like you, are facing the same challenges and obstacles. It gives you tremendous opportunities to learn new things, to get inspired, to gain new ideas. Communities are powerful. By attending pitching events, especially international ones, and events where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs you are to expand your horizon and look at the possibilities from another angle.

Discover talent

Finding the right co-founder for your business is difficult. Even more difficult can be to form the best startup team. There are many things that should be considered – from hiring the first startup employee to finding the people, who complement each others’ skills and work in perfect symbiosis. Many startup-minded people are attending pitching and networking event because they are fascinated by the innovative ideas and the values of many starting companies. These talented people are eager to start working for a startup in order to learn and to contribute to great ideas. If you want to discover talented people – pitching competition is the right place to look for.