NIKITA BLANC, the founder of HeyEveryone, is a name increasingly recognized in the startup ecosystem for his insightful approach to securing funding. With over six million dollars raised from investors, NIKITA BLANC has faced his share of rejectionslearning from each experience and emerging stronger. In a recent LinkedIn post, NIKITA BLANC shares the top three rejections he encountered during his fundraising journey and how he managed to turn those setbacks into opportunities. For anyone venturing into the world of fundraising, NIKITA BLANC’s story offers valuable lessons that can guide both emerging and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.
NIKITA BLANC and His First Rejection: “There’s too much competition on the market”
Every entrepreneur must understand that competition is an unavoidable part of any market. However, NIKITA BLANC’s experience taught him that it’s not about avoiding competition but proving how your offering stands out. In his post, he explains how he responded to this objection by highlighting his company’s unique advantagessomething that competitors couldn’t easily replicate. NIKITA BLANC emphasizes the importance of crafting a pitch that feels like a hidden opportunity, making investors feel like they’re privy to something truly special.
He suggests framing your pitch by stating, “Most people think the market is crowded, but we’ve found a unique space. Our competitors would need years to match us because of X, Y, Z.” By focusing on what makes your product or service hard to copy, NIKITA BLANC advises entrepreneurs to demonstrate their edge through distribution channels, business models, and their team’s capabilities.
NIKITA BLANC warns against the red flag of stating, “We have no competition, so there’s nothing to be worried about.” He firmly believes that complacency can kill momentum.
NIKITA BLANC and His Second Rejection: “The market is too small for us”
Another challenge NIKITA BLANC encountered was the skepticism around market size. Investors aren’t merely looking for the next big thing; they want assurance that the market you’re targeting has massive growth potential. NIKITA BLANC advises entrepreneurs to present their market as if it’s an archery targetwhere the bullseye represents the core audience, and each subsequent ring represents future potential.
In his words, “We’re focused on our core customers, with a potential $100M+ revenue. But we have room to grow into other areas with little extra effort.” This approach allows entrepreneurs to demonstrate that while they may be focusing on a smaller segment now, their future scalability into other markets is well-defined and achievable.
A common red flag, according to NIKITA BLANC, is saying, “Our market is huge, if we capture just 1%, we’ll become a unicorn.” He warns that such overly ambitious statements often fall flat, lacking the specificity investors need to see real value.
NIKITA BLANC and His Third Rejection: “Your growth is too slow for us”
One of the most critical objections NIKITA BLANC had to overcome was the speed of growth. Investors expect rapid expansion, but as NIKITA BLANC reveals, growth doesn’t have to be linear. He advises entrepreneurs to showcase areas of their business that are already gaining traction, even if overall growth hasn’t hit the 50% marksomething many investors expect.
In his LinkedIn post, NIKITA BLANC shares a valuable tip: “Our fastest-growing area will soon be over X% of our revenue. This segment is outpacing others due to X, Y, Z reasons. Now, we’re looking for funds to speed up this growth and catch the momentum while it’s there.” This strategy focuses on proving where the current success lies and how future investments can propel it forward.
NIKITA BLANC warns against saying, “If we raised more money, we’d grow faster.” He explains that such a response often signals a lack of strategic insight, rather than concrete actions that can drive rapid growth.
NIKITA BLANC’s Path to Fundraising Success
From these challenges, NIKITA BLANC has emerged not just with the funding he set out to secure, but with valuable wisdom. His journey is a testament to the power of persistence, preparation, and the ability to reframe rejection into actionable strategies. As NIKITA BLANC puts it, “Even successful founders hear ‘no’ 99 times before their first ‘yes.’ Stay patient and keep gaining traction!”
For those navigating the world of startup fundraising, NIKITA BLANC’s story serves as both a guide and an inspiration. His insights into handling objections head-on and his approach to turning setbacks into opportunities make him a voice worth listening to in the startup community.
NIKITA BLANC continues to lead by example, showing the resilience and determination needed to secure funding in a competitive landscape. Here is the linkedin link
