Why you should invest in 2021

We are witnessing a unique time in modern history. Be it in a socio-economic, political or environmental context, 2021 is blurring the line between developed and developing nations. The desire to tackle topics like climate change, waste pollution, health, privacy, or inclusion is no longer a nice thing to do. It has become a need, and in this race, every nation is equal. 

As a result of struggling economies, we are experiencing the rise of our inherent drive to build a fairer and more sustainable world for all. 2021 brings a wave of global renewal, built on values such as collaboration and stewardship. Community is the new black.

Interest in environmental, social, and governance investing is gaining in popularity, with good reason. A sustainable investing mindset sees wealth creation as a collective exercise and a look at the portfolios of tech gurus like Elon Musk reveal that they too understand the value of impact investing. Everyday, more people now look for ways to support ventures that create paths toward a healthier planet.

As of March 2021, the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investing included 3,038 signatories. The majority of these joined in the past four years, while many had been already committed many years prior. Across the world, responsible investing assets have grown to USD 30 trillion as of 2019 (KPMG) and may reach USD 53 trillion by 2025 (Bloomberg). 

With asset management leaders like BlackRock announcing they are making sustainability the “new standard for investing”, this trend is expected to soon become the global norm. For the first time, perhaps in millenia, we are seeing signs that wealth creation is aligned to the good of the collective.

Responsible investing is a sign of global citizenship, it’s about investing more than money. It’s about investing time, care, and consideration into the world that surrounds us. And this is accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

As members of our society, our role is to ensure that today’s and tomorrow’s generations can thrive. At BIC, we view responsible investing as an intrinsic part of creating positive change. 

Shape the world you want to see. Invest in 2021.

8 Top Tips on How To Win The Pitch

Our team recently had the opportunity to be a guest-speaker at this year’s International Leadership & Innovation Festival 2021, where BIC spoke about what investors look for in early-stage startups. Our panel speakers included the founders of ANGIN and UMG Idealab, two of Indonesia’s active investment players based in Jakarta. A key talking point in the conference was the impact of COVID within the start-up environment. The general view was that the current constraints are an incredible opportunity to build the businesses of tomorrow. To entrepreneurs, there is always a “pandemic-like” scenario. The road to success has never been easy, there is no perfect landscape. We believe that entrepreneurs who can make their business work during COVID times will see even more success when the world returns to normal. Of course, access to funding is vital when considering growth and money will come from making a good first impression with investors. Here are some of the key considerations that investors look for during the pitch. Make yourself shine.

HOW TO WIN THE PITCH

1. Keep It SHORT
Investors want to see you can explain your business in a clear and simple way. Keep you pitch crisp and powerful and give more time for questions. You can always have back-up slides to do deep dives. Otherwise, focus on the overview and key info.

2. Know WHY You’re Special
Most entrepreneurs have great ideas but fail to explain that clearly in presentation. Let your audience see you’ve looked at the competition, focus on what makes you unique and why that matters to customers.

3. Learn Your NUMBERS
This is one of the most important parts of your pitch and since you’re presenting to receive funding, you need to show investors that you know all the important numbers for your business. This is often a big let-down, so take time to learn them.

4. Be REALISTIC
Many entrepreneurs dream of skyrocketing revenues. While dreaming big is important in starting a business, it’s best to model against rainy conditions. Run your numbers in the worst-case scenario (eg. COVID climate) and dial-up from there.

5. SELL Your Team
Apart from positive returns, investors look first and foremost at the team. Prove to investors that you are the right leader and that you have the best team for the job. Investors fund teams, not companies, so focus on the value your team brings.

6. Believe In YOURSELF
Pitch for funding is an achievement on its own. It means you have created enough of a business so far that you can actually present it to others. Remember what you did to get to the pitch room and channel that feeling. Be proud, stay humble.

7. Embrace TOUGH Questions
This is where you are being tested. Show investors that you can handle any question without breaking a sweat. This will tell your audience that you can manage stress well in your business and can deal with time-pressure problems on a clear head.

8. Be Funding READY
This is the last point and a big decision factor. Show investors that funding is the main thing you now need to grow the business, and that you will spend the money wisely. Explain where you’ll need help and be ready for the next step.

RECAP

Take some time to understand your pitch from an investor’s point of view. Great companies bring great ideas to life, not the other way around. Show investors you have done your best to prepare for what is coming next. Prove that you are worth the risk. We are in the middle of a new wave of global creation and to us, the perfect time to build the future is now. The world is becoming more sustainable, so build a business around the greater good and don’t be afraid to ask for help or to make mistakes. It’s how humans learn and how we progress.

Small steps lead to big achievements. Believe in the process. Keep pushing.

Think you’re ready to take the next step?

Apply for funding with BIC, we’d love to hear about your project.

[GET FUNDED]

It Begins With The People and The Land

The birth of something new can be an uncomfortable mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

One sees the potential of an idea entering the world, but what it becomes, only time tells.

So much can go wrong, and it often does. Yet, we persevere, motivated by the belief that the outcome will be worth the sweat.

It’s what entrepreneurs face every morning when they wake and what we too have felt at BIC for the past few months.

Lately, we were all reminded how fragile the balance of society can be. Indeed, the consequences of radical change create ripples that travel beyond our grasp. It would seem that only from such offsets do people come together to find solutions to a new generation of problems, or perhaps new solutions to the original problem. How can we continue to progress on such a small planet?

Our minds have long left the confines of this sphere and we often forget that our existence is reliant on how we treat this blue spec we call home. People are tied to the land and our relationship with it, as well as each other, defines the quality of life we get to live.

We created Bali Investment Club to be a catalyst for sustainable change. Alone, we cannot face the world’s problem. Together, we can achieve anything. This idea is what fuels our every action, from the organisations we support to the way we engage with you, our followers.

The below numbers reflect your contribution to the Club’s mission thus far, and when we pulled them yesterday, we were frankly overwhelmed. What to say beside thank you. Thank you for speaking with us. Thank you for liking our pages. Thank you for believing in BIC.

It is with immense gratitude that we begin our journey in Indonesia. We chose these magical islands as our home for we believe that the next wave of global growth will come from emerging nations.

This month, we place our attention on Bali and will back organisations that are creating tangible impact within the sources of life itself; water, sustenance, delight. Our first portfolio offering will soon be available to you.

In the meantime, we invite you to already start investing in the world around you. This too, begins with the people and the land.

 

BIC Founding Partners