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Networking strategies for investment: How early-stage founders leverage their networks to secure equity financing from venture capital and business angel

Ejaj, Farhan LU and Adungdejaroon, Itthinan LU (2025) ENTN19 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
This thesis explores how early-stage startup founders use their professional networks to acquire equity investment from venture capitalists and business angels. Through qualitative interviews with founders across various industries, the research reveals essential networking practices that lead to successful fundraising efforts. The study highlights how building trust and credibility with network contacts is important through engagement at networking events and digital platforms, and maintaining a balance between close, trusted relationships and broader, diverse connections. The shared values between founders and their investors stand as a crucial element for building long-lasting partnerships. This study exposes the complex aspects of... (More)
This thesis explores how early-stage startup founders use their professional networks to acquire equity investment from venture capitalists and business angels. Through qualitative interviews with founders across various industries, the research reveals essential networking practices that lead to successful fundraising efforts. The study highlights how building trust and credibility with network contacts is important through engagement at networking events and digital platforms, and maintaining a balance between close, trusted relationships and broader, diverse connections. The shared values between founders and their investors stand as a crucial element for building long-lasting partnerships. This study exposes the complex aspects of founders' networking strategies to provide early-stage founders with valuable knowledge and actionable advice for managing the intricate early-stage investment environment. This thesis also contributes to entrepreneurial finance by exploring how various dimensions of the founder's network have a broader effect on getting investment for a startup during the early stage of financing. (Less)
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author
Ejaj, Farhan LU and Adungdejaroon, Itthinan LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Founder's Networks, Equity Financing, Social Capital, Venture Capital, Business Angels, Startup Fundraising, Network Diversity, Network Dimensions
language
English
id
9198107
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 10:00:23
date last changed
2025-06-23 10:00:23
@misc{9198107,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores how early-stage startup founders use their professional networks to acquire equity investment from venture capitalists and business angels. Through qualitative interviews with founders across various industries, the research reveals essential networking practices that lead to successful fundraising efforts. The study highlights how building trust and credibility with network contacts is important through engagement at networking events and digital platforms, and maintaining a balance between close, trusted relationships and broader, diverse connections. The shared values between founders and their investors stand as a crucial element for building long-lasting partnerships. This study exposes the complex aspects of founders' networking strategies to provide early-stage founders with valuable knowledge and actionable advice for managing the intricate early-stage investment environment. This thesis also contributes to entrepreneurial finance by exploring how various dimensions of the founder's network have a broader effect on getting investment for a startup during the early stage of financing.}},
  author       = {{Ejaj, Farhan and Adungdejaroon, Itthinan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Networking strategies for investment: How early-stage founders leverage their networks to secure equity financing from venture capital and business angel}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}