How does one get funding for a start up robot company?

January 31, 2009 by admin · 4 Comments
Filed under: Investing 
famousbots asked:


I’m looking for venture capital money.
I’ve already completed my business plan.
I need $400,000 to open the doors and $8M to get it off the ground and operate for the first two years.

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Part 8: How to Write a Business Plan to Raise Capital - Management

January 30, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Investing 
Len McDowall asked:


This is a continuing series of articles on how to write a Business Plan or Information Memorandum to raise capital, Part 8 discusses the business plan content specifically ‘Management’.

Management

The product or service offered by a company may be excellent but it is people that make businesses successful. Venture capitalists back committed, experienced and well-balanced management teams with, hopefully, a good product or service. Not vice versa!

The emphasis is very much on management teams, not particular individuals. Investors shy away from ‘one man bands’ owing to limitations on the amount any one person can accomplish. They seek a well-balanced management team for two reasons:-

(i) The business will probably survive the loss of a key person and…

(ii) A complement of skills ensures that the important managerial functions -production, sales, and finance, among others - will be attended to.

Accordingly, this section of the business plan provides the key to the potential investor and will figure large in his investment decision.

From the investor perspective management teams can be categorized from the most to least preferable as follows:-

1. All members of the team identified and fully committed to the venture. This is the ideal situation as the team is on board and working together, especially when team members have experience and a successful track record. This is one of the prime reasons that investors are keen to back management buy-outs from parent groups.

2. All the team members are identified but not everyone is on board. This is a typical situation where the existing management recognizes the need for additional and complementary management skills but cannot bring that person on board until funding is in place. The possibility that they may not join is a source of concern for investors.

3. One or more of the team have yet to identified, i.e. gaps in the management team. In these circumstances it is important to recognize the need and indicate how the gap will be plugged. This may include part time staff or outside advisers until a suitable full time person is recruited. The recruitment aspect makes the team less desirable and investment more risky.

4. The ‘one man band’. This is usually an unacceptable situation for investors unless the person has an outstanding track record in developing successful businesses. It may then be possible to build a team around this person.

The best position is to assemble your team before seeking venture capital or at least identify its members. This will significantly reduce the perceived risks and increase the likelihood of successfully finding finance.

The other aspect regarding management which will be of paramount importance to investors is their commitment to the venture - not just in terms of “blood, sweat and tears” but also financial. Investors will expect management to invest personally in the opportunity as an explicit show of faith and commitment. If there is no such personal investment, venture capitalists, who are usually asked to put up most of the cash will be reluctant to do so. If the management is not willing to back the venture themselves why should an investor? The amount of that personal investment differs from case to case, but the sum should be significant in terms of personal wealth.

The main points for inclusion in this section of the business plan are to:-

• Provide a brief synopsis of each manager reviewing career highlights, duties and responsibilities and past accomplishments which demonstrate ability for the tasks required.

• Explain how the management team is to be organized and describe each member’s primary role. If the company is established and has an effective management structure an organization chart shown as an appendix should be included.

• Discuss the board of directors, outlining any non-executive members and their function.

• Provide details of salary packages and any personal investment in the company. Include a list of shareholders in the appendices.

• Identify any weaknesses in the team and how they will be overcome i.e. training, recruitment, outside advisers.

• Explain the strategy to retrain and motivate staff, ie. key executive share options, bonuses, profit sharing etc.

• Describe support provided by professional advisers both current and ongoing.

The content of Business Plans will be further covered in subsequent articles by Len McDowall.

© Len McDowall, Integral Capital Group 23rd October, 2007

www.integralcapital.com.au



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The Fundamentals And Life Cycle Of Venture Capitalism

January 13, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Finance 
Low Jeremy asked:


Venture capitalism is a system wherein a venture capitalist invests money in small and fledgling companies to finance its start up or restructuring with the hopes of greater yield in the years to come. Instead of providing a loan, venture capitalists exchange their investments for a stake in the company often in the form of shares, which they will later unload.

Often, venture capitalists target companies with innovative products and services, which they feel have the potential to become successful brands in the years to come. Other times, people with ideas for products and services seek venture capitalists with the hope of being provided with start-up funds. These are the people who are just starting in the industry and therefore have no access to other forms of traditional financing like those provided by banks and financial institutions.

Often, they will provide the company with about three to seven years’ support. Venture capitalism may seem really fruitful when it comes to generating profits but not all investments that venture capitalists go into pay off.

In fact, most of the companies that they invest on will probably fail to return their investments. Remember that investing in new or troubled business is pretty risky. According to statistics, about 20 to 90 percent fail. They, however, recoup their losses with the companies that do go well. The return of their investments can reach from 300 to about a thousand times over.

Oftentimes, venture capitalists do not only provide money for the company but also managerial and strategic advice. They will often help the company stand on their own feet when they are just starting. Venture capitalists can also help in terms of providing contacts and in opening doors of opportunities.

If you are looking for a venture capitalist, make sure that you have researched the person or the company thoroughly. This is because there are venture capitalists that are more into providing seed money for companies that are starting up. Others concentrate on investing funds for restructuring and expansion.

Those with high growth potentials are good investments for these venture capitalists especially those in fields that are rapidly expanding like Information Technology, Bio-Technology and the Life Sciences. There are some that specialize in buyouts, turnarounds and recapitalizations.

It is important that you choose the right venture capitalist on your project. Do your homework and find out whatever you can about the venture capitalist that you are targeting. Otherwise, you will only be wasting your time and will just be turned down by these people.

A company is formed after someone is able to invent something. Take for example Henry Ford who was able to invent the first vehicle using an engine instead of it being drawn by a horse. This classic example is just one of many. The only difference is during that time; Henry had the funds available so there was no need to borrow from the bank.

But these days, those who want to start something have to borrow money. A student who wants to continue further studies on a project has to be a given a grant from the school. In the world of business, the entrepreneur can go to a bank or get someone to work with as an investor and as a partner.

This partnership is better known as venture capitalism. The cycle looks for simple as an entrepreneur will prepare the details and then submit the proposal to an investor. If after rounds of meetings, everything is sound and both parties have agreed on the details, then the funds are released and the business can begin.

But the venture capital cycle is not just for startups. The same thing can also be done to help expand an existing business. The same details are prepared by the person with the hopes that the creditor will approve the request.

The time it takes to do the research to the moment the business becomes a reality takes months. This is because the entrepreneur will have to do the research first. This means checking on the feasibility of the business given the location and the market, the cost of the machines, sales projections and of course the return of investment.

When this is ready, the proposal is sent out to a list of prospective partners. Some people will respond quickly while there are those who don’t. This is because of the other proposals given by other entrepreneurs. There is usually a meeting that will happen if the documents submitted are promising. This will give the investor an idea of who the entrepreneur is. Some investors feel a good vibe and take it from there while those who don’t will turn down the proposal.

An effective way to make a good impression will be by answering each question instead of stuttering there which does no help at all. It won’t take long anymore after that to hear a response from the investor. The answer is either a yes or a no which could make the entrepreneur happy or strive harder.



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Venture Capital Investments in China Consultant Marketing in China

January 13, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Networking 
m.jeya asked:


Venture capital has been widely studied in the U.S. and Europe, but only recently it has received greater attention in China. As China’s private sector continues to grow, venture capital funds have directed increasing attention to small- and medium-sized technology based firms.

Venture capital in China has many interesting differences from that in Western countries. Venture capital is the term for money invested in young, fast growing companies. VCA members comprise venture capital firms, institutional investors, banks, incubators, angel groups, corporate advisors, accountants, lawyers, government bodies, academic institutions and other service providers to the venture capital and private equity industry.

Venture capitalists are typically very selective in deciding what to invest in; as a rule of thumb, a fund may invest in one in four hundred opportunities presented to it. Funds are most interested in ventures with exceptionally high growth potential, as only such opportunities are likely capable of providing the financial returns and successful exit event within the required timeframe that venture capitalists expect.

Venture capital is most attractive for new companies with limited operating history that are too small to raise capital in the public markets and are too immature to secure a bank loan or complete a debt offering. Venture capital typically comes from institutional investors and high net worth individuals and is pooled together by dedicated investment firms.

venture capital financing investments are generally made as cash in exchange for share in the invested company. Venture capital is a type of private equity capital typically provided to immature, high-potential, growth companies in the interest of generating a return through a;n eventual realization event such as an IPO or trade sale of the company. Please visit online http://www.dynastyresources.net in NewYork city.



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Fox Arkansas Looking For New Ventures

January 13, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Finance 
Low Jeremy asked:


Arkansas is a very diverse state. You have a lot of things going on for this state. The state has a lot to offer to visitors, travelers and even for entrepreneurs. You can see in the state a lot of opportunities for outdoor adventures such as cavern or cave tours and a lot of mountain trails and scenic routes to hike, walk and drive.

And for entrepreneurs, the state opens up a lot of opportunities. Arkansas is rich with small towns that lure not only travelers but can be an investor’s new base of business as well, such as Fox and Charlotte towns.

Venture capital is a great way for small businesses to get the funding they need. Venture capital is more commonly sponsored by the wealthy investors and at times professionally managed investment fund. Government backed Small Business Investment Corporations (SBICs), or their subsidiaries like different investment banking firms, insurance companies, or corporations also act as sources of venture capital.

What these investors do is that they invest their money on companies that are still starting up and seems to have great potential of becoming big and earning a lot in profits.

However, venture capital could be somewhat difficult for small businesses to obtain, without the proper proposal that is. It is always standard procedure for investors to require entrepreneurs a formal proposal where the latter can based a proper evaluation of the business’ potential. Venture capital brings several advantages to small businesses.

Among them include management assistance and lower costs, these above the funds the venture capitalists put into their businesses. However, venture capital is still not the lone answer to all the problems small businesses have especially regarding their capitalization. Venture capital is only one strategy, there are other ways to settle things and improve the capital outlay of a small business.

But since the venture capitalist is investing on mostly speculations, the risks are great. That is why venture capital is also called risk capital. This is why investors study extremely well the proposals of small businesses before approving or giving them their investments.

To top it off, investing on such companies is basically a stand alone thing. The government does not provide any form of protection for venture capitalists whose ventures have become a failure. Still there are a lot of areas where venture capitalists choose to invest. This widens their scope and small businesses can find their place. Most of the investments venture capital look favorably upon includes industries and technology areas.

Every country’s economy has always been enhanced by the growth in its entrepreneurship; done so, with high return of investments (capital venture) at 100% or more. The start of the capital venture in the United States came about when a consequence of a very stiff structural restrictions in their banking system in the 1930s, resulted to deprive them of the private merchant industry that was uncommon to a highly developed nation such as the U.S.

The making of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 paved the way to allow the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to give licenses to the Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) for purposes of providing financial assistance and management to small entrepreneurships especially to beginners in business all over the United States.

Thus, Capital Venture has been professionally acknowledged; although in 1946 its start was gird toward investing at Digital Equipment Corporation by the American Research and Development Corporation (AR&D), founded by General Georges Doriot, first American to promote the capital venture industry. Its tremendous success that made double investment capital in subsequent years elevated the rise of numerous other venture groups, that pushed licensing legal under the Federal laws, aforementioned atop this paragraph.

A number of associations and clubs were founded, and posted capital venture clubs/groups in various states, with respective visions to finance not only small-time business amateurs; but, invest bigger capital on some mining industries, manufacturing some latest technologies, projects in the educational system (schools), health affiliated structures, numerous clinical equipments, and many modern-day demand in novelties.

A close study on Northwest Arkansas concerning project breakthrough in infrastructures and highly trained-skilled manpower on the latest technologies, were aired out to their legislature. The unprecedented increase of population towards 2020 in this side of the U.S need a pressing inflow of financing that will be held as a subject to contend within, the right selection of capital venture investors to subsidize bulk of expense on researches, and to develop better-trained workers for the projects in focus.

Places in subject for these developments include the big cities of Knoxville, capital of Tennessee; Austin, Texas, and Huntsville, on which survey charts outpaced Benton and Washington counties in economic growth during the past 10 years. This has been relayed out by the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group as studies are held in forum on the economic outlook of the NW Arkansas.

The approval of creating the “Arkansas Capital Venture Funds” thru their legislature recently fronts best expectations of the opening of new businesses, and will be highlighted with the coming in of new private capital venture groups.

Pulling together of capitalization to the best advantage may even proceed to a better position to call the attention of the Universities around to increase the development of students on broad “research” that will eventually lead to open high-technology companies that may serve better opportunities on high-skilled, or better-paying jobs.



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China Outsourcing Venture Capital Market in China Investments

January 13, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Networking 
m.jeya asked:


 

New developments in science and technology are bringing about sweeping changes to the world economy. These changes are ushering in a new economy by fostering innovations in business models, business concepts, products and services. Development of the new economy calls for a constant inflow of capital.

Venture capital financing, a specialized form of financing, has come to fill the void. Venture capital firms invest in equity interests in high-tech start-up companies. Venture capital firms make up for a defect in traditional financing channels, which do not provide sufficient funds for high-risk and long-term investments in new technologies. Venture capital financing has given rise to a dynamic system of modern financial products and services by introducing a series of innovations that include professional investment, participation in management, long term shareholding and optimal risk sharing, and the institution of venture capital financing has become indispensable in modern technological industrialization. In fact, it can be argued that a new financial system based on venture capital financing and a new industrial sector based on high technologies form the two pillars of the new economy.

The Chinese venture capital industry started in the mid-1980s when the government decided that it should develop various high-technology industries. The company has performed well due to its adoption of internationally recognized rules and procedures of venture capital business, the strong local government support, the diversity of its shareholders, an optimal configuration of various resources, an excellent investment team, and a first-class R&D group.

The flow of venture capital financing in China is now determined by market forces and follows international trends. This recent development has reduced the systemic risk in venture investing to a lower level. In addition, the Chinese venture capital community has been actively exploring new venture capital paradigms that reflect China’s needs and also the current international environment. Please visit online http://www.dynastyresources.net in NewYork city.



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What are the methods of financing your own business I was thinking VC’s but I need details?

January 12, 2009 by admin · 1 Comment
Filed under: Investing 
nader r asked:


ALSO why do VC’s provide financing at all I mean say you need money for your business and I give it and I want a 51% stake in the company as the venture capital firm but I am PAYING FOR THE WHOLE THING how does this help me?

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How You Should Be Looking For An Investor In The Capital Venture Directory

January 10, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Finance 
Low Jeremy asked:


When people need to enlist the services of a company, that person will usually check for it in the phone directory. It is only after browsing through the names on the list that the individual will be able to get in touch with the firm that can do it.

The same thing also happens when getting help in starting a business. Though the numbers are not in the phone book, the entrepreneur will have to check magazines and online for those who are interested in funding a project so a business proposal can be sent. The business proposal should have a brief introduction of the company, the objective of the venture, the sales projection and most importantly, the timeline for the return of investment.

The entrepreneur will notice that some of those in the directory are leaders of some of the biggest corporations in the United States. This means these people have the experience, which will also come in handy when running the business.

After all, those who decide to go into a venture will have to give 30% of the company to the investor. This is because handing out money is not out of charity or for free and the other party has to get somehing from it making it a win-win for everybody. Those who do it online will first log on to the website and then give certain information. It is only after getting some details that a match can be made with someone who is willing to invest in the entrepreneur’s idea.

There is always a risk in starting any business. If the entrepreneur has submitted a proposal and this was turned down, the person should not give up because there are surely other names in the directory that can be sent a letter that will hopefully like the idea and then fund it.

If the person does not want to work for an employer anymore or just graduated from college and wants to be his or her own boss, , perhaps it is time to start a business. The entrepreneur can go to the bank and get a loan but with the help of an investor, the chances of this growing are much higher given that there is also someone there watching out for hurdles along the way. The choice is of going to the bank or looking for an investor using the capital venture directory is entirely up to the person.

Venture capitalism, a potentially beneficial form of investment for small businesses especially for technologies, industries, dot coms and biotech types of businesses.

For the first part of the year, venture capitalist industry has been going steady and it seems that venture capitalism is alive and well. Biotech, software, media and entertainment investments, telecommunications, and various internet-specific companies seem to be going well.

Despite the risks of venture capital, entrepreneurs still try to obtain approval of venture capital organizations to get hold of some money to finance their growth and development. Entrepreneurs from across the country take advantage of the growth of venture capital investing. Even in Jefferson County in Alabama, venture capitalism could flourish.

It so happens that Jefferson is the most densely populated area in the state of Alabama. There are a lot of potential things happening here and there could be several opportunities for venture capital organizations to invest in businesses in this part of Alabama.

Venture capital is a double edged sword. For the investor it could possible mean great profits if things turned out well. Investors will put their money on a company on the assumption that things will turn out well and that the company will do good in the near future reaping all the profits for them.

The money can be utilized by entrepreneurs for innovative enterprises or research. This works well especially with high technology companies. There is actually a great risk of loosing all the possible profit and as well as all the present investments that the venture capitalist has put forth so far.

So what does Jefferson County has installed for venture capitalists. Jefferson has a limited-form of home rule government. This system resulted to usable land use zoning, as well as better maintenance sewer systems and roads. Garbage disposal and taxation is quite ok too. Five years, that’s how much time capital investment analyses and capital source studies should be conducted. This is just enough time to test your product, service, market and process investment.

This is entirely better for both the entrepreneur and the investors. Particularly, the investor needs to know how stable the company will be. These analysis and studies can anticipate possible scenarios that can help the company and the investor through tough times. With proper planning, it is quite possible for both the entrepreneur and the investor to borrow long term and obtain equity placements, and other related major investments.



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Venture Capital In Arkansas - What You Should Know

January 10, 2009 by admin · Comments Off
Filed under: Finance 
Low Jeremy asked:


It’s a risky business, but still, somebody decided to do it. Venture capital is a sort of financing scheme that funds businesses that have been found to have some growth potential.

Venture capital is also called risk capital. For businesses that have very limited start-up capital, they could go find a venture capital investor. But for the venture capitalist, they still need to weigh the various risks involve.

A venture capital is an investment that is basically provided by third-party investors. This investment is usually used for enterprises that were deemed to be too risky that even the standard market investors or banks avoid putting a single cent on them.

Although this kind of investment would be very advantageous for entrepreneurs that cannot find funding through regular means, some people still avoid venture capital due to the fact that venture capital investors usually have the power to intervene and run the company itself aside from being part owners of the company.

For the venture capitalist, Arkansas might just be the place to look for businesses to invest in. Cities like Charlotte and Fox offers more than what you think. Venture capitalists’ expected high rate of return might be present in such small, sleepy towns. Likewise, for a small business in Charlotte having some venture capitalists will give them a couple of benefits like funding, management assistance and lower costs over the short term.

The local government has been grooming Charlotte to become a great city. Some even dubbed the city as the next Atlanta. The government has been building infrastructures, setting up a better environment for businesses or entrepreneurs. And just like the state of Arkansas, Charlotte is as diverse.

People of all ages and socio economic backgrounds converge in a city where they decided to call home. The city has some huge potential locked away. It’s just up to people like risk taking, business minded individuals and venture capitalist to unearth this huge potential, harness it, and develop it into a full blow and lucrative investment opportunity.

But venture capital also needs some push from local business and entrepreneurs. Venture capitalists tend to act more aggressively if sound proposals are being presented to them. It is therefore important that people in Charlotte start believing in their capabilities and potential and begin reaching out to the wealthy investors across the country. They need to come out and declare that people in Charlotte are ready to play with the big boys of business investments.

The history and development of the state of Arkansas colorful like other American states, a varying mixture of some European cultures. High-peaked settlements along the Mississippi River were intervened by the Spaniards in 1541 by the explorer Hernando de Sotto; however though, the first European settlements near the lower banks of the Mississippi River were the Frenchmen in 1686.

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 sealed this settlement along the famous river to be part of the American soil; now, Arkansas State. A divided Arkansas after the American civil war in 1861 and its seceding from the Union has been a target subject of interest between the North and the South for its vital role being a gateway to the Southwest.

Since that settlements and the succeeding progress of the state and its future promise in economic advancement, Arkansas has proven its’ worth, owning credits in producing the twice elected Arkansas-born Bill Clinton to the U.S Presidency by the turn of the last quarter of the Millennium.

Today, Arkansas is a target of several venture capital studies in all fields of its phases of development. With the assistance of the Arkansas Economic Development one could start or expand business. The present days front the best time for several capital light ventures, when there are options to select from small or minor businesses? A team that caters to specialize on the development and growth of minority businesses gives priority to assist in marketing strategies, product development, and most especially to invite light venture capitalists.

The ADED (Arkansas Department of Economic Development) with its subsidiary body the Department’s Small and Minority Business Staff takes initiatives to look for would-be partners, and seek additional information on all aspects surrounding the Arkansas businesses.

Little Rock, Arkansas Eyed to be A Conference Center Regarding Fostering Innovation Capital

A national venture capital event that will be fostered in 2007 by the NASVF (National Association of Seed and Venture Capital Funds) is heading conference at Little Rock in Arkansas for the purpose of enlightening Venture Capitalists, profit and non-profit organization leaders, technology-based and economic development leaders, representative from venture capitals and seed funds, legal and financial firms, and many others who will take interest in looking into the natural resources of Arkansas. They will be pulled together in one conference, and taking into considerations on innovation capitals that will easily facilitate investment process to local entrepreneurs.

Also, it will open funding, and get better knowledge of the relationships and influential factors in the commercialization of innovative and venture products. The event will be sponsored by the biggest molders of the economy of Arkansas; namely, Arkansas Department of Economic Development, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, and Arkansas Capital Corporation.

A glance into the future wealth of Arkansas’ Economy thru investments is gagged upon general criteria, from heavy or light ventures; and, or, government or private collaborated ventures.



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Selling the stock for company listed in otcbb?

January 10, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments
Filed under: 277 
mamu asked:


I am planning to list my company in otcbb. But i am not sure who will buy my stocks. Has anyone done that before in this forum? Any insight will be very helpfull. Need to know how i can approach market to sell my stocks. Because i don’t think that just getting listed ever get’s sold.

Any What are the chances to succedd?

I am double minded right now whether to go for venture capital or do it my self through taking it public.

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