Category Archive : INSIGHTS

Venture Capital Investors Will Want You To Follow This T.I.P.: A Team, An Idea And A Plan

Entrepreneurs who want to raise finance for their business will have to begin with an outstanding business idea in order to convince their investors to raise finance for them.

You should not focus on one aspect only. Entrepreneurs need to understand what the investors really want, especially if you are into venture capitalism. Here is a T.I.P. for you: You need to have a TEAM, an IDEA, and a Business PLAN.

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1. Your TEAM.

The best business ideas come from a team that can execute the plan and actualize the goals. You can have greater convincing power if you have a talented, experienced, and team instead of being a lonely entrepreneur.

You should also consider your team members to have some form of financial commitment. In other words, you should consider family and friends as your first investment pitch. Investors simply want to know that when the hot, steamy stuff hits the fan, each of the team members have more to lose than just their time spent and energy.

2. The IDEA.

Investors in Venture Capitalism are looking for a sure return on their investment that is substantial enough to compensate for the many other losing ventures they will back. Venture Capitalism involves high risk of failure especially for start ups, and they want to hear a business idea that shouts significant growth potential.

You may want to ask yourself, is your business idea big enough? Can your idea be turned into a franchise? Or, Can your idea last long enough to be a license, Can you find ancillary products or strategic partnerships for your new product idea?

3. Your Business PLAN.

Entrepreneurs should be able to give a detailed and smooth presentation of how the IDEA will become a business opportunity that is worthy of investment. Lay out a clear strategy of how you and your TEAM will actualise your current strategy. Make sure to demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities in the market.

Always remember that you don’t have to be alone in venture capitalism. You can start by contacting the investor directly and inquiring what they want to see. They can give you priceless recommendations during your initial meeting.

You also have your friends, family, fellow entrepreneurs, and mentors who would be willing to listen to you, advise you, and give feedback as you gather your TEAM, develop IDEA and formulate PLAN.

These people and the T.I.P. can help you decide whether to push or pass on the investment. You will get the chance to refine your approach and be ready to finally deliver your pitch.

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What Is The Difference Between Investment Management And Wealth Management?

Investment management and wealth management – it is easy to be confused by these terms, especially since they are often misrepresented. What do they really mean, what are the key differences, and which might be best for you?

What is wealth management?

Wealth management looks at an individual’s finances as a whole and how they can be managed to achieve their long-term financial and personal goals. In addition to handling clients’ investments, wealth management encompasses a wide set of services, such as legal planning, insurance, accounting, and financial, charitable giving, and tax advice.

There are higher minimum asset thresholds, and one can expect to pay higher fees for the more comprehensive service. Although a good manager could justify this through the savings their service provides.

Advantages of wealth management

As wealth managers offer many of the services of an investment manager, their clients gain the same benefits. However, the additional services on offer mean that wealth management can provide further advantages.

Coherent Strategy

As wealth management looks at all aspects of clients’ financial affairs, it aims to provide a custom-made strategy to realize their objectives. For example, by combining different services, a wealth manager can find the best path to paying off a mortgage or planning for retirement, whilst avoiding tax inefficiencies or undue risk.

This holistic approach attempts to understand and predict how different areas of an individual’s finances interact and organize them appropriately.

Simplicity

A wealth manager can provide a single focal point for all financial matters. Rather than having a wide assortment of advisors, a wealth manager may replace the need for a separate financial planner or investment manager, for example.

Their breadth of knowledge also means that they can act as a guide for those less familiar with the practices and technical language that often surrounds financial services.

What is investment management?

The primary role of the investment manager is to advise on, organize and grow clients’ investments.

After discussing a client’s financial goals and acceptable risk levels, an investment manager assembles a portfolio of investments appropriate to their requirements. They then will keep clients updated on the state of their portfolio, offering recommendations and implementing changes.

Advantages of investment management

Investment management services sometimes require a minimum investment and come with a fee – generally a small percentage of the assets under management. However, they can offer numerous benefits.

Reduced Risk

With an investment manager constructing a diverse portfolio, assets are less vulnerable to fluctuations in individual investments. With hundreds of smaller investments likely spread across different industries and asset classes, if one performs poorly, others are likely to compensate.

Convenience

If the client desires, they can acquire a wide range of investments with the minimum effort, making it ideal for time-poor individuals. As the paperwork and day-to-day running is taken care of, much of the stress of investing is removed.

Higher Returns

One of the biggest advantage is that you can gain the knowledge of the professionals. The best investment managers often have a wealth of experience and worldwide networks which can help them spot the best opportunities and reach better results.

Investment managers also have abilities that most individual investors do not. For example, they can increase their buying strength by pooling together several clients’ assets, with each benefiting from the greater yields.

Which is best for you?

Which service is most suitable will largely depend on your net worth and the type of assistance you require. Whilst a wealth manager offers more services than an investment manager, it is generally only available, or necessary, for the most affluent clients, with the wealthiest even receiving fee discounts.

Therefore, if you simply wish to see your investments grow, without the difficulty and risk of handling it yourself, gaining the services of an experienced investment manager could prove fruitful. However, for those with a higher net worth and a complex financial situation, the comprehensive methods of wealth management may be the best solution.

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5 Benefits Of Financial Technology

Financial technology (also referred to as FinTech) is the use of innovative technology to deliver a wide range of financial products and services. It is intended to facilitate the multi-channel, convenient and fast payment experience for the consumer. This type of technology is effective in many different business segments, such as mobile payments, investment management, money transfer, fund-raising and lending.

The rapid growth of financial technology has been very beneficial for consumers worldwide, such as the ability to serve customers that were not previously attended to, a reduction in costs, and an increase in competition.

Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits related to financial technology:

Better payment systems – this type of technology can make a business more accurate and efficient at issuing invoices and collecting payment. Also, the more professional service will help to improve customer relations which can increase the likelihood of them returning as a repeat buyer.

Rate of approval – many small business ventures are starting to use the alternative lenders like those involved in financial technology because it has the potential to increase accessibility and speed up the rate of approval for finance. In many situations the application process and time to receive the capital can be completed within a period of 24 hours.

Greater convenience – the companies involved in financial technology make full use of mobile connectivity. This can significantly increase the number of people who can access this type of service and also increase the efficiency and convenience of transactions. With consumers given the option to use smartphones and tablets to manage their finances, it is possible for a business to streamline its service and provide a better all-round customer experience.

Efficient advice – many of the latest systems rely on robo-advice to give people guidance on their finances. This can be a very quick and low-cost option to get useful information on investments, as well as to limit a person’s exposure to risk. However, this type of service won’t be able to give the most in-depth advice that would come from a professional adviser.

Advanced security – Using the latest security methods is necessary to ensure more people are confident in using this type of financial service. The need to harness the latest mobile technologies has resulted in a major investment in security to ensure customer data is kept safe. A few of the latest security options used by those in this sector include biometric data, tokenization and encryption.

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Women-Owned Businesses: Here’s How To Take Your Business To The Next Level

If you’ve launched a small business or dream of becoming a business owner, the task may seem daunting. The good news is, helpful resources — and funding sources — are available to support you as you plan, start and grow your business. Here are tips specifically for women and women of color business owners, that will help take business operations to the next level.

Build your brand image

To make an impression in today’s digital landscape, it’s crucial for your brand to be clearly defined and communicated. If branding is not your expertise, it’s worth the investment to hire someone to bring their experience and market know-how to creating your brand and developing a strategy to communicate your brand effectively.

Knowing what your brand means and how your product or services fulfill your vision will help your business stand out from the competition.

Optimize social media

To generate positive word-of-mouth, offer exceptional services and rapid communication. It’s also vital to take advantage of today’s digital landscape by maximizing your social media presence. Create relevant content and positively engage with your audience on their favorite platforms to build brand awareness — and a loyal following.

Develop a social media strategy and content creation calendar focused on how your company engages with your customer base.

Embrace the digital transformation

If your small business hasn’t yet mastered ways to accept digitized payments online or in-store, now’s the time to get on board. According to data from the latest Visa Back to Business Study, more than two thirds (68%) of the female consumers surveyed said they anticipate shifting to being completely cashless within 10 years.

In the U.S., e-commerce has grown significantly in the last year and that trend is likely to continue in the future. Relatedly, 3 in 4 (76%) of women-owned businesses surveyed in the Visa Back to Business Study agreed accepting new forms of payment is fundamental to their business’s growth.

To help your customers pay for goods and services using their computer or mobile device, Visa offers a variety of resources and digital tools.

Constantly pursue funding opportunities

Beyond discovering resources via the Small Business Administration at sba.gov, be on the lookout for ad hoc programs focusing on women and people of color to help you get needed funding. For example, visit websites like IFundWomen.com and BlackGirlVentures.org for information, tips and pitching opportunities.

Right now, Visa is partnering with Black Girl Ventures to help provide hyperlocal grants and mentorship, plus access to partners, products and marketing to help drive growth to minority-owned small businesses. If you live in Atlanta or Detroit you can sign up to participate in upcoming pitching opportunities here.

This partnership builds on Visa’s commitment to support entrepreneurs in cities with the highest concentration of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. — Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C.

“Through this partnership, Black Girl Ventures and Visa are able to assist entrepreneurs at a time when they need it the most and provide a megaphone to each of these community’s most pressing needs,” said Shelly Omilâdè Bell, founder and CEO, Black Girl Ventures.

For more information on how Visa is supporting Black women-owned businesses, visit the She’s Next Homepage. Or to learn more about the programs Visa has made available for small business owners to succeed, visit the Visa Small Business Hub.

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This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It’s always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.

Business Line Of Credit Overview: Is A Business Credit Card Right For You? How Can You Apply?

Whether you need money to help with your new business, to purchase equipment, obtain a supply of cash to keep up with ongoing expenses, etc., you can always apply for a business line of credit. Whether or not you will be approved, however, will depend on a number of factors ranging from your credit score to your experience and industry.

There are always alternative options, including small online lenders, crowdfunding, bank loans, and so forth. A credit card is a good choice if you have a high credit score and need to know that the money is there should there be unexpected expenses, or you need any type of recurring expense. Also, what will you do if your type of business is affected by the ebb and flow of seasonal changes? A business credit card is also great for this type of situation.

What are the requirements? How do you know if you have a good chance of being approved for a business line of credit? In addition to your own credit score, a lender will look at factors such as the strength of your business, time in business, annual revenue, your ability to secure the line, and so forth. It might even come down to you having to put up collateral in order to qualify. If you can do so, you will increase your chances of being approved significantly.

Proofs Required Business Line of Credit

Your company must prove that you have revenues and that you can be profitable. They want your profitability and revenues to justify the size of the business line of credit for which you are applying. If you are unable to prove your profitability, then the collateral will come into play.

Even if you are approved, you must decide if this is REALLY the right option for you. What are the repayment terms? Is the interest really high? Again, there ARE alternatives. Also, keep in mind that your credit score will take a small hit for each and every business line of credit you apply for, so think carefully before you begin. Don’t just go around applying for everything. On the flip side, don’t just apply for the very first company credit card you come across. Take the time to compare your options and only apply for a few that offers the terms and conditions that are more favorable to you.

If you have at least average credit and need money as quickly as possible, then you might want to check with Alliance Group Capital Corp. AGC offers all types of funding solutions for companies of all sizes. There is a good chance you will qualify for a business line of credit.

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Working Capital Loan: Guide To The Different Types Of Working Capital Funding For Businesses

Every business, at some point, requires some form of financial assistance. If you find that you simply need more money to fund your company’s day-to-day operations, then you will want to apply for a working capital loan. The sooner you can get an approval, the better, as this kind of loan helps pay for a business’ short-term operational requirements. Companies that rely on seasonal profits or cyclical sales tend to need capital to help out during periods of reduced activity. Retailers, for example, generally sell more products during the 4th quarter around holiday season than at any other time. Manufacturers have sales that correlate to the needs of the retailers who buy from them.

The great thing about a working capital loan is that the funding is immediate. This kind of loan is also easy to obtain for the most part, and allows company owners to efficiently cover up any gaps in their capital expenditures. It is also a type of debt financing that doesn’t require an equity transaction. This means that you, as the business owner, will still maintain full control of your company.

There are a few different types of working capital loans, with the most common being “working capital short-term loans”. These provide the business with a lump sum that must be paid back over a shorter period of time, usually within 18 months. You might also want to apply for a working capital line of credit, which will give you access to some funds that you can use whenever you need to.

Other Options Besides a Working Capital Loan

Other options include invoice financing and merchant cash advances. With the latter, you get an advance sum of cash which you will be expected to pay back by allowing the lender to take a certain percentage of your company’s credit card sales. It’s the costliest kind of capital a business can get, but it’s also very easy to get approved for. If you haven’t established a good credit rating, you really might have to consider this.

As for invoice financing, it is a solution for companies whose working capital depends on customers paying invoices. If the customers have been late, these companies have difficulty finding the cash they need for the daily operations. So the invoice financing helps the business owners gain access to capital immediately.

If you are interested in any type of working capital loan, the best place to look into is Alliance Group Capital. They are committed to offering financial solutions to help small and medium sized businesses grow.

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Business Lending Companies An Overview Of The SBA, Online Lenders, And Other Options

There are funding solutions for all types of businesses, although the more established businesses in good financial standing have the most options. Business lending companies vary from SBA-associated organizations to “angel investors”. The most common types of lenders are obviously traditional banks, but that might not be the right option for you.

If your company is just kicking off, you’ll need to look into start-up loans as well as crowdsurfing solutions (if you are able to come up with a good viral campaign). There are also internet-based lenders that are always looking for new businesses with good, innovative ideas.

SBA loans aren’t for everybody, but you might want to consider them if you think you’ll be able to qualify. It’s not true that the government gives them away as start-up loans. It is true, however, that they have different credit underwriting terms, standards, and several other factors that set them apart from traditional business loans.

Keep in mind that the Small Business Administration does not actually give out money itself- it has a menu of offerings through the firms it partners with. Whether you are looking for funds to help you get started with a small business, to recover from disaster, or for expansion purposes, there might be an option for you through the SBA.

Business Lending Companies Online

There are businesses who would prefer to go through the online funding offers – especially those that aren’t as strict with their requirements. For instance, most lenders will check your personal and business credit history to evaluate your amount of lending risk. If you don’t have a good, strong credit history, you’ll have to start cleaning up your debts and getting credit repair services to help you improve your score as quickly as possible.

No matter which business lending companies you are considering, you’ll need to have a solid business plan. This plan should include detailed short-term and loan-term goals. If you have a financial advisor or certified public accountant, have them to review the plan to let you know if it is financially feasible and if everything looks good.

Consider your cash-flow cycle and expenses as well. The cash-flow cycle includes payments and the flow of cash – both in and out. The expenses obviously refer to the amount of money you need currently and will need in the future in order to meet your financial goals.

Regardless of what kind of business you have and what kind of funding you are after, don’t overlook Alliance Group Capital Alliance Group Capital offers equipment financing, working capital, small business loans, and more. You can easily get a free quote and (possibly) a quick approval.

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Top Financial Tips for Millennials

Are you a millennial who feels overwhelmed trying to manage your finances? Are you getting the most out of your money? Financial literacy is not often taught in schools and they don’t do a great job preparing their graduates to manage their finances. So when you’re out of college and start real life, it can be a little overwhelming and it is easy to get yourselves into debt and other financial trouble.

Most millennials are currently in their 20s and 30s – a time when many young people are ready to make major financial decisions in their lives, like home ownership, long-term investment activity, etc. If you’re currently a part of this generation here’s your crash course on what you should do to improve your financial wellness:

Take online financial courses
Since most young adults have the propensity for technology it is suggested you take a few basic online courses in economics, accounting, and any other financial topics that may be of interest to you.

Embrace Technology
When it comes down to managing your money there is probably an app. To help you do that. These apps. Can categorize your spending habits and help you manage your spending. These insights can help you save money each month and then transfer that money directly to your savings. Online financial apps can help you make a workable budget for your lifestyle and ultimately change your net worth.

When it comes down to managing your money there is probably an app to help you do that. Mobile apps like Clarity Money can help you track any wasteful spending habits. Digit and Stash can recommend where you can save money each month and then transfer that money directly to your savings. Online financial apps can help you make a workable budget for your lifestyle and ultimately change your net worth.

Examine Your Current Bank Accounts
Are you paying fees? If so, for what? Monthly maintenance and minimum balance fees should never be a fee on your account statement. Free checking accounts, are available, especially at credit unions and these accounts will help you keep more of your own money in your pockets. So don’t settle for anything else.

Build Your Credit and Understand the Impact of your Credit Score
Early on, you may only have a student loan or a credit card on your credit report. But now it’s time to start building your credit. Ask your credit union about a Credit Builder Loan to help jumpstart your credit. And if you already have some active loans, make sure you’re making payments on time every month. You’ll need that good credit history when you want to make big purchases in the future like a car, rent an apartment, or get a mortgage for your first home.

It’s also important to know that if you are planning on opening up a business your personal credit may be the defining factor in your ability to access necessary working capital.

Repay Debt Tactically
Since we are on the topic of credit, a lot of young adults have credit cards with very high interest rates. Focus on paying off those debts first! If possible, transfer those balances to a lower-rate credit card. It’s much easier to pay down debt when more is going toward the balance.

Track everything to obtain your whole financial picture
Just as businesses manage their cash flow, individuals need to do the same by tracking their income, expenses, assets and liabilities. There are many online tools to help you like Mint, Quicken and Personal Capital.

Build an Emergency Fund
Unplanned/unfair/unfortunate events can happen in the blink of an eye. You may get in a car accident, have unforeseen medical expenses or lose your job. That’s why it’s important for everyone to have an emergency fund. The best way is to set up an automatic savings plan where you pay yourself first by depositing a portion of your paycheck into a separate savings account. If you forget it’s there you won’t be tempted to spend it.

Create a Long-Term Savings Strategy
An emergency fund is a short-term strategy, but you also can’t forget the big picture. Does your employer offer a matching 401(k)? If so, be sure to take advantage of that opportunity. It’s fundamentally free money, and it’s an investment in your future.

Get yourself a financial mentor
Even though there is an overabundance of information and apps on the Internet to help with your financial security, it is far superior to pick the brain and bounce questions off a trusted friend or colleague. Their pertinent insights will most likely be tailored to your specific requirements.

Use these financial tips listed above to get your finances on track while you’re still young. You’ve got a bright future ahead – so start now and stick with it. Your financial well-being will thank you! Although these tips are targeted at millennials, they’re useful for all ages.

There are many resources to help you make smart financial decisions. all U.S. Credit Union can be a resource when making big decisions or contemplating a loan or new credit line. Money desktop, which is included for Free as part of Jazz Banking, can categorize your spending habits and help you manage your spending. Even if your only goal at the moment is to pay your bills and save a little each month, utilizing things like money management apps like Money Desktop illustrate to you how far your money can actually go. For more money saving approaches find us online at https://alluscu.com.

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How To Create A Pitch Deck That Stands Out

The pitch deck, also called a pitch slide deck or a slide deck, is often the very first thing you will use when you interact with an investor. It is one of your most important tools in many ways. Your presentation of the pitch deck, along with the content, can assist the investor to decide whether or not to go evaluating your business opportunity.

The following example summarizes the main information that should be comprised in the original pitch deck. Don’t forget the “10/20/30 rule of PowerPoint”, which is 10 slides, 20 minutes, and font no smaller than 30 point.

Title – Include your organization’s name, your name as well, and information to

contact you. The audience can read the slide. Then they can sum up what you do. For example, you can sell software that can say something like, protecting the environment. You can open with what your company does. Basically, you want investors to think about the possibility of your company and also the size of the market.

Problem – Describe the pain you are relieving. The object is to get everyone to buy in. Evade looking for a resolution that is searching for an issue. Lessen or remove quotations of advising studies about the future size of the market.

Solution – When you are creating a pitch deck, it is important that you clarify how you relieve this pain and the meaning you make of it. Ensure that the audience clearly comprehends your value of proposition and what you are selling. Do not go into an in depth technical explanation. Supply just the core of how you relieve the pain.

Business Model – Discuss how you make money and who pays you. Also, explain your gross margins and your channel distribution. A unique, untested business model is a scary proposition. If you have a revolutionary business model, discuss it in terms of well known ones. This is your chance to mention the name of organizations that are already using your service or your product.

Underlying Magic – This is the part of your pitch deck design where you get the chance to depict the secret sauce, magic, or technology that is behind your service or product. Aim for more schematics, diagrams, flow charts and less text on the slide. Objective proofs and white papers of concepts are very useful right here.

Marketing And Sales – Explain how you will reach your marketing leverage points and how you will reach your consumer. Try to convince the audience that you have an efficient go to market strategy. Convince them that it will not break the bank.

Competition – Supply an entire view of the realistic competitive landscape. It is better to have too much than too little.

Management Team – Depict the main players on your management team such as, the board of advisors and the board of directors. Include your major investors as well.

Financial Projections And Key Metrics – Supply a three to five year forecast. This contains dollars and also key metrics, such as, the conversion rate and the number of customers.

Current Status, Timeline, Accomplishments To Date, And The Use Of Funds – Explain the present situation of your service or product, what the future looks like, and the money you are trying to raise and how you will use it.

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Confessions Of A Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists are often called Vulture Capitalists and until you read the book: Confessions of a Venture Capitalist, Inside the high-stakes world of start-up financing by Ruthann Quindlen; well you probably will never understand how they got that slanderous title. In the book Ruthann explains what it was like working in Silicon Valley in a Venture Capital Company prior to the dot com bubble burst.

If you are considering getting venture capital for your startup company then perhaps you should read this book. After all would you like to sit down for a cup of coffee with a venture capitalist who has been in the industry for years before you go in pitch your business plan? In the book they describe how venture capitalists will work with many companies at one time expecting that one or two may make it to a huge payout. The rest they expect to either break even or lose money and they will eventually dump.

The world of venture capitalists is about return on investment in a very short time period and they are not looking for just making a profit they are looking to make 10 times or more the money they invested. There are many venture capital firms and often they bet on the jockey and not just the horse. A business idea or concept may be very good, but if the entrepreneur is unworkable the venture capitalists will have to pass. Please consider all this in 2025.

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