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How to Find Investors and Business Partners: What Both Sides Should Prepare

Chashe Tea Club · 24 Oct 2026 · 阅读中文版

Short answer: whether you are a project owner looking for investors or partners, or an investor looking for projects, step one is to be clear. Project owners should explain what they do, how far they have got, what resources they need and where they will go. Investors should explain which sectors, stages and cooperation models they are interested in. Then both sides verify each other's company and make sure they understand where revenue comes from and who carries the risk. If you hear "high return, zero risk, decide today", pause and verify.

1. Project owners: prepare a clear introduction

Investors and potential partners see many projects. The ones they remember are usually the clearest. Prepare:

What you do: one sentence on the product or service, target customers and market;
Where you are: idea stage, prototype, or stable customers and revenue;
What you need: capital, channels, technology, premises or local operations;
Where it goes: which parts of the business the capital or resources will fund;
How you want to work: equity, revenue share, loan or resource exchange.

Let facts speak and keep adjectives to a minimum. Every figure should stand up to checking; leave out anything you are not sure of.

2. Investors: be clear about yourself too

Looking for projects also needs a clear introduction:

Sectors and regions you focus on;
Preferred project stage;
The types of resources you can bring, such as capital, channels or management experience;
Your preferred cooperation model and level of involvement;
Your decision process and rough timeline.

Stating your preferences cuts out pointless conversations and lets well-matched project owners come to you.

3. Where to look

Trade fairs, forums and pitch events;
Chambers of commerce, industry associations and alumni networks;
Introductions from customers, suppliers and partners;
Online business communities: post your project and let interested parties respond.

At Chashe, you can post the project first and exchange contacts only when both sides are interested and agree, so you are not flooded with sales pitches before any real conversation. See Post your project first, share contacts later.

4. Four questions to ask about any project

Especially when a project promises "high returns", ask:

Where does revenue come from? Is the business model clear?
Who carries the risk? Is that written into the contract?
Can licences and title documents be verified by a third party?
Are the returns clearly above what is normal for the industry?

Every investment carries risk. Any pitch that puts "high return" and "zero risk" together deserves caution in itself. For projects involving financial services, check the relevant licences through the official channels of the local financial regulator.

5. Verify the other side

Check the company and its shareholding; see How to check if a company is real;
Look at past projects, and ask mutual contacts or chambers about reputation;
Move money through company accounts; be wary of requests to pay personal accounts;
For significant investments, have a local lawyer and accountant carry out due diligence.

6. Before partnering, write down the rules

Many partnership disputes are not caused by bad people but by things that were never spelled out. Before signing, agree on:

Form, share and timing of contributions;
Each side's role, responsibilities and decision rights;
How profits are shared and losses borne;
New investment, share transfers and exit mechanisms;
How disagreements will be resolved.

Cross-border partnerships also raise questions of foreign ownership rules, tax and moving funds in and out, so consult local professionals.

7. What to discuss at the first meeting

There is no need to hand over everything at the first contact. Discuss direction and cooperation model first, and exchange contacts once both sides are interested. Before sharing sensitive information such as financials, customer lists or technical plans, sign a confidentiality agreement. Investors should also respect the project owner's pace rather than asking for every document on day one. A short note after each round, with key points and next steps, helps both sides decide whether to continue.

8. Checklist

Project introduction is clear: what, how far, what is needed, where it goes, how to work together;
Investment preferences are clear: sector, stage, resource type, cooperation model;
The other side's company and shareholding are verified;
Revenue sources and risk allocation are clear and in the contract;
Licences and title documents are verified by a third party;
Contributions, roles, profit sharing and exit are agreed in writing;
Professionals have been consulted, and there was time to think before any major decision.

Closing

Whether you are looking for capital or for projects, a clear introduction and careful verification are the starting point. Chashe only provides a space to connect; it does not recommend any project or promise any return. Please use your own independent judgement. Have a need? Come to Chashe. Have resources? Come and connect. Join the Chashe group