Success Tips for Raising Venture Capital

Success Tips for Raising Venture Capital

We often assist clients in preparing their presentations and leave-behind materials for Venture Capital (VC) or angel investors. The below is an outline of a model we use as a basis for both the document and the presentation. Our format is based on feedback from many analysts and investors.

Remember that the material and content represent one component – how you present is vitally important, and will be the topic of another blog.

Executive Summary
• Consists of one- two paragraphs on each of following sections

The Company
• Mission Statement – what the company does, for whom and why
• Summary of Success to Date

Management Team
• Strengths this team has as individuals and as a team

Market Opportunity
• Demand drivers and the market need

The Technology
• Your technology solution and how it satisfies the market need
• Product portfolio & service offerings value proposition for customers
• Third party opinion – validation/quotes from technical and/or industry experts and/or potential customers
• Future Direction

Competition
• Direct competitors (technologies and/or vendors),
• Indirect competitors (technologies and/or vendors)
• Competitive advantages of your technology relative to competition
• Competitive Strengths as a company & basis for meeting competition

Business Strategy
• Strategy overview (how to penetrate market, continue growth and revenue momentum)
• Potential partnerships & alliances (criteria for targeting)
• Sales & marketing plan

Operations Plan
• Management team (elaborate on above)
• Product & Services Road-map & milestones
• Staffing Plan
• Operating Costs / Financing Requirements for next two-three years

Business Potential and Financials
• Market Size and revenue potential (nationally and/or regionally)
• Market Share & Revenues (top-down and/or bottom-up)
• Financial Pro-Forma
• Major Risks and Risk Mitigation

If you have comment on, or can add to the above, do let us know.

Photo credit