Value added returns.

You can protect yourself by putting procedures; the purchasing, sales processes and policies will give you that. For a client to not take you for granted you should be well structured as a business. 

Funds rasing however is about partnership principles. Your investor dosnt only need to get back their money but have a share in the value. For instance: for me to give you you should be willing to share; money for money, value for value, money for value or value for money, so you need to look at all angles of the business before you make a final offer and you need to process the feedback you get from the investor.

Financial institutions dont just need their percentage back, they need value added returns.