How to Find Investors for Your E-Commerce Startup
E-commerce investing has matured significantly. Post-pandemic, investors are more selective but still active in the space. What e-commerce investors want to see: differentiated products or unique value proposition, strong unit economics with healthy margins, efficient customer acquisition, and clear path to profitability. Key metrics: gross margin above 50% for branded products, CAC payback under 6 months, repeat purchase rate, and inventory turnover. Types of e-commerce investors: consumer-focused VCs like Forerunner, retail-focused strategic investors, angels with DTC and retail backgrounds, and growth equity for scaling brands. Finding e-commerce investors: look at who funded successful DTC brands, attend retail and consumer conferences, connect with investors through founder communities, and use AngelBacked to filter for consumer and retail focus.