Investors

When You Swim With Sharks, Take Your Calculator

You ought to have your calculator handy when you watch ABC’s Shark Tank, the TV show where wealthy angel investors make on-the-spot investments into small businesses. Last night a middle-aged company owner was offered 3 deals in rapid succession. For me, this was a simple math problem: Which offer gave the owner the best valuation [...]

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Negotiating with Angels: When to Rescue a Funding Deal – and When to Walk Away

You’ve been carefully nurturing an equity investor and now he’s threatening to walk away from the deal. Despite an endless number of presentations, term sheets, meetings with partners and expensive legal documents, it looks like the negotiation is going to unravel. And that could unravel your business too. What’s an entrepreneur to do? You might [...]

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Top 5 Pet Peeves of Venture Capitalists

Venture Capitalists can be a tough group to please. Because they hear hundreds of pitches every year, VC learn to sort the best from the B.S. I had a chance to discuss this topic with Mr. Ed Goodman, General Partner and Co-Founder of Milestone Venture Partners in New York City. During his VC career, Ed [...]

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3.5 Places Where Angel Investors Hide

You’ve probably heard stories of Angel Investors swooping in to help fund a company. In today’s tight financial environment, it almost sounds like an urban myth. But wealthy individuals who invest in private companies do exist. And they are more plentiful than you might imagine. You might already know several. Now, I wouldn’t count on [...]

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Don’t Let Investors Boss You Around

You love being your own boss, but will investors in your company let you keep that job? Taking venture capital – or even just a few thousand dollars from angels – often comes with strings attached. Be ready for investors to ask for a seat on your board of directors – even if you don’t [...]

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Don’t Even Think About Raising Capital… Without These 5 Answers

If you are looking for a loan or an investor, are you prepared to present a rock solid idea to them? Whether you are a start up or a giant company, investors ask tough questions. Fortunately, most questions fall into just a few categories. In fact, if you can confidently answer these 5 investor questions, you’re [...]

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Seed Funding: Raise $1 Million in 173 Easy Steps

Every entrepreneur wants more money to start their business. Knowing how to raise startup money has been a secret art. Now there’s a great road map to seed funding thanks to a guy named Brendan Baker and a young-ish company called AppMakr. AppMakr figured they needed just $1 million seed funding to really ramp their [...]

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Ace Your Investor Pitch: “Say This Not That!”

Few companies are invited to pitch to investors, even fewer will leave with a check. Winning an investment from VC, Angels or PEGs is tough because even a small mistake can sink your chances. In the high-pressure boardroom where millions hang in the balance, there are some things just better left unsaid. Here’s my 5 favorite phrases that no investor [...]

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The Danger with Angels: Investors Who Want Too Much

Everyone wants to use Angel capital in their business. Taking money from individual investors is a great way to fund rapid growth. But beware… angel capital has a dark side too! In fact, I’ve seen company founders kicked out of their own company by an angle investor. Anything can happen. Like Getting Married When you’re [...]

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