Largest network of Venture Capitalists. Get Funded.
Join Go BIG | Business Funding | Startup Forums | Startup Jobs
www.gobignetwork.com/Venture-Capital
Manage your private business loan like a professional. Learn how!
www.VirginMoneyUS.com
Professionally written plans designed for venture capitalists.
www.MasterPlans.com
Find venture capital firms, startups & transactions. Free Trial
VentureDeal.com
CWA has over 850 VC firm & 90 Angel Network contacts. Affordable Prices
www.capitalwestadvisors.com
Learn how Venture Capital Works. Prepare to Pitch Investors
howventurecapitalworks.com/VC
VC-Worthy Business Plans, Venture Capital Placement and Consulting.
Growthink.com/VentureCapital
Facilitates the growth and development of emerging technology companies by advising early-stage, high-risk companies and providing the necessary assistance to make technology-based ventures succeed.
www.ic2-ati.org
Expertise in consulting, international finance, and venture capital through affiliated companies. Focus within the venture group is the creation of funds for investments in emerging and developmental stage companies.
www.carlsongroup.com
Helps managers and companies in the Southeast by providing start-up capital, business plan development and strategic planning. Also manages a private equity, venture capital fund.
www.claytonassociates.com
Provider of investment capital, technical expertise and management support to startup and development-stage companies whose products stem from biomedical and digital technologies.
www.convergentventures.com
Focused on health care, information technology and other proprietary technologies in start-up, early stage and emerging growth companies in the Great Lakes Region.
www.edfvc.com
Venture capital for early stage and promising businesses in Upstate New York.
www.exponential-ny.com
Largest network of Venture Capitalists. Get Funded.
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www.gobignetwork.com/Venture-Capital (Paid)
Private equity firm that provides entrepreneurs and executives with capital, experience and resources, to build businesses.
www.petersonventures.com
Provider of resources and information for early stage to assist in the maturing of the business and business planning.
www.startech.org
Private corporation based in Washington, DC that finances early stage growth companies in the telecommunications industry
www.tdfund.com
Manage your private business loan like a professional. Learn how!
www.VirginMoneyUS.com
Professionally written plans designed for venture capitalists.
www.MasterPlans.com
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VentureDeal.com
Guide to Raising Venture Capital
Managing the first meeting to make sure you get a secondAttracting the right Venture Firm can make a significant difference in the probability (and magnitude) of your success. In order to do so, it is essential that your first meeting leads to a second, and eventually, to an investment.
There are four fundamental issues to keep in mind when approaching a Venture Capitalist for the first time:
1. Manage your time effectively
2. Construct a presentation with a logical sequence
3. Engage in an open dialogue about the business
4. Establish a concrete plan for follow-up
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Establish how much time is allocated to your meeting and manage your presentation accordingly
Ask this up front, and recognize that you will have to budget for questions along the way and at the end of the presentation. Moving your presentation along and managing your time will demonstrate that you are in control of the meeting. It is usually a good sign when a Venture Capitalist asks you and your team to stay longer.
I recommend:
Microsoft for advice on creating better presentations.
Your presentation should be unique to your business, while following a logical sequence
I have found that the following presentation order works well:(1) • Summary Slide(2) • Management Team Background(3) • Market Opportunity(4) • Product / Service Offering(5) • Financials and Deal Mechanics.You can increase or decrease the number of slides in your presentation depending on which parts of the presentation you would like to emphasize.
I recommend:
organizing your slides to reflect an Executive Summary of your business plan. To learn more about business plans, go to Business Plan Pro from Palo Alto Software or BusinessPlans.com. The Start up Venture Toolbox also has some helpful information.
Approach the meeting as a formal conversation
The Venture Firm you are meeting with is exploring whether or not the business is compelling but also whether or not you and your team would be good people to work with. The most efficient way to do this, in a limited time, is for the Venture Capitalist to ask you open and direct questions. Do not get defensive. These questions are an attempt to understand how you think through problems and recognize opportunity. Engage your audience, be forthright and establish a foundation for trust between you and your potential investor.
I recommend:
Browsing some common questions with investors.
Ask about the plan for follow-up
Don’t leave the meeting without knowing what comes next. Ask the VCs about their process, if they require additional materials from you, and when you should expect to hear from them. Then hold them to it. A highly interested investor will keep the interaction going, requesting materials, speaking with customers and scheduling follow-up meetings. Radio silence is as good as a ‘no’.
I recommend:
Entrepreneur for learning more about the process.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- The purpose of a first meeting is to lead to a second. Sophisticated investors rarely make a decision on the spot.
- Look at the meeting as an opportunity to attract an additional partner in your business. Think about what attributes you desire most in an investment firm / Board member.
- Keep your presentation concise and logical in its progression. A well organized business overview will make it easier for you to manage your time.
- Encourage questions and interaction. Get the potential investors curious and then solidify the follow-up with actionable next steps.
