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TAG: Targets
Seed Round: Smart Money or Any Money?
TheFunded.com Discussion
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-11-14
Tags: Preparation Targets Strategy
How Many VC's to Approach When Seeking Funding?
TheFunded.com Discussion
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-06-18
Tags: Preparation Strategy Targets
Survey: How Many Pitches Have You Gone Through?
TheFunded.com Discussion
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-03
Tags: Preparation Targets Effort
Future Funding Capacity Can Kill Your Business Prospects
TheFunded.com Advice
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-18
Tags: Preparation Targets Resources
Imagine raising capital, having a fast growing business, and then not being able to raise further capital because your existing investors have no "dry powder" to make future investments. These "walking dead investors" may scare off new investors because they do not participate, and they may even block new financing deals to maintain their equity position. Guess what. It happens a lot, and it happened to me.
The NVCA predicts that the number of venture firms will decrease, so this problem is only going to get worse:
"Most respondents believe the industry will consolidate further in 2008 with 57 percent predicting the number of venture firms will decrease next year. Those that remain will be raising the same size or larger funds according to 84 percent of venture capitalists polled. Only 16 percent believe funds will be smaller next year."
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do"id=803488
What do you do" Members, read on...
PRIVATE: Members Only (1653 Characters)Be Cautious with Current Investors in a New Fundraise
TheFunded.com Advice
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-05
Tags: Preparation Targets
Your current investors will often have different motives with a new financing round that you do, so be extremely careful. Maybe they want to get more equity at a good price. Maybe they have internal fund pressure to show portfolio growth with a higher valuation. Maybe they want to gain some more investor control to force a liquidity event. Many times, old investors will pressure a company to raise new capital, and almost always the motives of existing investors in a fundraise is not what they appear to be.
The best advice is to take the time to engage in a proper fundraising process, even if you have "insider interest." Most of all, do not accept an internal offer without at least trying to secure one or two additional external offers. Your existing investors can be counted on to help make some introductions to other funds, and you should encourage them to participate at their pro-rata allocation.
It's your job to get the best possible terms, and there is no question that you are better off with multiple interested parties bidding up the price, even when you are busy growing the business.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyHow Many VC Firms Did You Meet With?
TheFunded.com Discussion
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-03
Tags: Pitching Targets
Over Pitching" is It Possible"
TheFunded.com Discussion
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-10-29
Tags: Pitching Strategy Targets
Don't Compromise on Your Investor Selection (Period)
TheFunded.com Advice
Posted by SevenTimer on 2007-07-14
Tags: Preparation Targets
When you are in the thick of fundraising, you'll likely get put into a position where it is tempting to compromise and accept a term sheet from a less-than-desirable fund or a fund that you have some hesitations with. Hey, you just want to get back to running the business. Maybe the fund makes an attractive offer. Maybe you are burnt out on fundraising. Maybe you need the money. I strongly recommend, from experience: don't compromise on your investor selection.
If you leave a meeting thinking, "what a waste of time," think about having these people waste more of your time as an investor. The questions and insights don't get any better over time, even with domain knowledge. If your gut is telling you that the investor is not that smart, conceited, mean, or devious, they probably are. They will continue these traits when they are on your Board, too. It's not like they switch from "mean pitch mode" to "happy investor mode." The tricky situations are when someone does have their "game face" on in a pitch, so you definitely should do as much research as possible.
I am on my 7th start-up, and I have had a lot of investors. Some are and were horrible. Others are and were great. The one thing that is evident to me now is that, with the exception of one person, the quality of the investor or Board Member is obvious very early on. More importantly, it certainly does not get better, but it may get worse. So, again, don't compromise.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyPick the First Investors Really Wisely
TheFunded.com Advice
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-04-02
Tags: Preparation Targets
Your first investors in the angel round or Series A will set the tone for your business and all of your fundraising going forward in a big way. These investors will be your long-term partners in any future funding event, helping your company secure future rounds, or, in the worst case, sabotaging future rounds through indecision or desire for control. Members, read on...
PRIVATE: Members Only (1833 Characters)