How to Get Investors Excited About Your App
Building an app isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about proving that your idea is a real business opportunity. If you’re planning to raise funding, you need more than a pitch deck. Investors want to see an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that shows traction, market fit, and growth potential.
So, how do you create an MVP that gets investors excited?
What Investors Look for in an MVP
When reviewing early-stage startups, investors focus on a few key factors:
1️⃣ Market Validation – Does Your App Solve a Real Problem?
Investors don’t fund ideas—they fund solutions to real problems. Before spending money on development, ask:
Who is your target audience?
Have you talked to potential users to validate the problem?
Do you have data that proves people want this app?
How to prove this to investors:
✅ Show customer interviews, surveys, or feedback.
✅ Highlight competitor gaps and how your app fills them.
✅ Demonstrate early traction (signups, pre-orders, or waitlists).
2️⃣ A Clear Business Model – How Will This App Make Money?
Investors need to see how your app will generate revenue. Even if you’re pre-revenue, they expect a well-thought-out plan.
Common monetisation models:
💰 Subscription-based (SaaS, premium membership)
💰 One-time purchase or pay-per-use
💰 Marketplace model (taking a percentage of transactions)
💰 Ad-supported (freemium with in-app ads)
How to prove this to investors:
✅ Show competitor pricing and why your model works.
✅ Provide projected revenue based on real user data.
✅ If pre-revenue, highlight your customer acquisition strategy.
3️⃣ Traction – Proof That Users Want Your App
Nothing excites investors more than seeing real users engaging with your MVP. Even small numbers can make a huge difference.
How to prove this to investors:
✅ Signups: Show how many users have registered.
✅ Active usage: Demonstrate app engagement (e.g., daily active users).
✅ Early sales: If you’ve already made money, highlight that!
If you’re just launching, consider running a waitlist campaign or testing your idea with a landing page MVP before development.
4️⃣ A Strong Founding Team – Can You Execute?
Investors aren’t just betting on your app—they’re betting on you. They want a team that can execute and adapt.
How to prove this to investors:
✅ Show relevant experience (business, marketing, or industry knowledge).
✅ Highlight advisors or mentors who bring credibility.
✅ Demonstrate commitment—investors won’t fund a side project.
How to Build an MVP That Investors Take Seriously
Step 1: Start with a Lean MVP (Only the Essentials)
Don’t overbuild. Investors want to see an MVP that:
Solves the core problem for your target audience.
Has just enough features to prove demand.
Can be launched quickly to start collecting data.
Example: Instagram started as a simple photo-sharing app before adding filters and social features. Your MVP should be just as focused.
Step 2: Design an Investor-Ready User Experience (UX)
Investors care about the user experience. Even a basic MVP should:
Look professional and polished (clean UI design matters).
Be easy to use (confusing apps lose users fast).
Have a smooth onboarding flow (first impressions count!).
Tip: Even if you’re still validating, a high-quality prototype (Figma/InVision) can be a great way to impress investors before building a full product.
Step 3: Track Key Metrics from Day One
Investors will ask: “How do you know this is working?” Be ready with data.
Key metrics to track: 📊 Signups & retention rates 📊 Engagement (how often users return to the app) 📊 Conversion rate (free to paid users, if applicable)
The more data you have, the stronger your case for funding.
Final Thoughts: Build Your MVP Like an Investor Would
Investors don’t just invest in ideas—they invest in proven potential. If you want funding, your MVP should demonstrate real user demand, a clear business model, and early traction.
🚀 Need an investor-ready MVP? At Rubber Margins, we build high-quality MVPs that help founders secure funding—fast.
📞 Book a Free MVP Strategy Call to get started!