Preface: If you want capital investments in your business, you must not only have a history of demonstrative successes; but be patient. It typically takes 3-9 months to obtain venture financing – if you are the one in four thousand businesses that obtain it. It is not easy, and it takes time…and it is important to properly prepare.
Equity Financing Your Business
Equity financing is the form of financing that subscribes an investor(s) a profits interest in your business. Most often equity financing occurs in business development phases.
If you are thinking of obtaining equity financing for your business, the first step is to have a clearly written plan detailing how you plan to make the investment rewarding, e.g. how will your business earn money? Many entrepreneurs begin financing with capital networks of close friends and family. While this may raise equity to launch or develop a business, it may not be prudent. Here’s why: unless you have experience from prior ventures, or your network is business savvy, you may yoke yourself into a stressful situation. If angel investors (which have extensive experience in business financing) won’t risk capital on your business or business plan, think twice before you risk your own valuable capital; or capital from family or close friends on something an angel investor wouldn’t fund.
Networks
The smartest investment you can make in financing your business is to properly prepare. Prepare for the opportunity to sell equity in your business. Most often these opportunities are not easy to locate, and even more difficult to connect with. Then they will want to perform due diligence and negotiate a controlling position. You must be committed. To make this investment, you need an expertly crafted business financing plan, reviewed by qualified trusted advisors. The professional fees to refine and polish a business plan, or a prospectus, and think through your financing today, the work you will need to do tomorrow, and the payoff in the future, are only prerequisite costs.
If you need growth capital or venture capital in your business, you must not only have a history of demonstrative successes; but be patient. It typically takes 3-9 months to obtain venture financing – if you are the one in four thousand businesses that obtain it. It is not easy, and it takes time.
Steps to Venture Capital
However, if you are seeking venture capital, here are few steps to take first. Do your due diligence. It will take time. Research venture and investment funds – what industries and locations do they invest in, what is their strategy, are they a new fund – be specific, and align your business with appropriate venture funds who may be interested in your business; only approach those funds who do the type of deal you want. Understand the risks a venture fund has investing in your business; how can you help them to bridge information gaps, value soft assets, and assess specific market conditions.
Most importantly, don’t venture into equity financing alone, unless you are comfortable conversing with terms like pre-money and post-post money, and negotiating liquidation preferences, terms & conditions and valuation of ownership. Pay advisors who can talk the lingo to join the conversations when you talk potential investment funders.
Payday
Finally, after all your planning preparations, ask yourself this question: Do I really want investment capital? If you answer in the affirmative, follow it up with: Do they want you? Because you will need to convince them that you and your business are the best investment they’ve seen in months, years, or maybe ever. With the proper plan and patience, this is the payday.