1. During the past decade, the size of seed rounds has remained stagnant and number of deals have decreased. To the untrained eye, it seems that there is more competition for seed dollars. Below the surface, however, startups are recycling founders experience. The reason why the number of deals has decreased is that teams are better prepared, are more financially savvy, have access to better-priced support, waste less time and resources, are using other forms of funding PRIOR to seed rounds, and are pivoting or deciding to get out earlier -at the pre-seed stage. (Founders will jump into exploring new opportunities).

Founding teams are recycled

2. More firms seeking seed rounds already have sales, expression of interests, and some form of market validation as a result of the circular economy of entrepreneurial mind and action. Firms that seek seed rounds are more advanced than 10 years ago. Founders are using other ways to get funded (as they should! Because seed funding is very expensive!), AND they are also recycling the experience of founding, co-founding, advising, and/or being early employees in previous firms. This is creating a circular economy of entrepreneurial experience. Not just serial entrepreneurs but a large pool of people who have experienced startup development (failed, successful, and everything in between, in so many roles!).

Supplier of funds are recycled

3. More investors are getting into each round, and seed rounds have become more collaborative. More and more small funds, angels and angel groups are co-investing. That means more eyes are evaluating deals (GOOD) but also BAD deals are getting through because the impact of each deal in the overall portfolio is lower, and the FOMO (fear of missing out) can get that signature! Think Theranos (ouch).

TIP: Nobody talks about the herd mentality and there will be some lessons to learn going forward. Because of the cycling and recycling nature of funding, early investors are able to scan deals early, with lower amounts, and, if they want to play in future rounds, they need to get in early and with others: pay to play.

Founders and funders’ recycling is also changing the exits:

4. Exits are being recycled too! Companies are being acquired, taken public, broken into pieces, resold, privatized, re-public’ed, and there are many emerging opportunities for exit. This is actually an area ripe for disruption. Welcome to the world of recycling exits.

And the funding process has become more interesting and complex.

5. As both entrepreneurs and funders become more comfortable navigating many options of funding startups or grownups, new funding options are emerging: there is better knowledge about crowdfunding, cryptocurrencies, hybrids (safes/convertible notes), and SFI-types (can we call this special funding instruments?). Capital suppliers are borrowing mechanisms from SPV, SPE, and SVI. I can’t wait to see what new options sprout of this.

All of these recycling and repurposing has an impact on ROI and capital markets

6. Cycles are longer: It takes longer to climb a larger mountain, especially if, along the way, there have been some quasi-exits, pivots, more and larger rounds. This is having an impact on the way we negotiate funding going INTO the firm, because there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is getting much longer. Combine this with the uncertainty of how investors get OUT. Again, this is an area ripe for disruption and I can’t wait to see new options emerging. With longer cycles, the return on investment decreases, so firms are pushed into finding new and disruptive ways to excite investors and NEW investors who supposedly are more risk-averse and adventurous, but in reality are reckless.

Longer roads need more resources,
But the supply of capital does not exist in a vacuum

7. Public markets are shrinking, and investors -especially institutional investors- are navigating through a rollercoaster of political insanity. Mostly derived from the surprising interest in protecting borders than in having healthy global economies, financial and economic illiteracy is permeating the political arena where decisions are reckless and financial managers are focusing on reducing stupid (gasp) risks instead of creating and supporting new wealth.

Overall, a combination of healthy recycling of talent, capital, and technology is fueling the economy despite mistakes made by politics.

For investors the signals are clear: Get in early, support many startups, learn and collaborate.

For entrepreneurs the signals indicate: Use many forms of funding, use dynamic funding, ask investors for support (not just money), and create dynamic teams.

Oh, and for small business owners that think “small is beautiful”, now, more than ever, my famous quote of 100% of 1 is 1, but 1% of 1000 is more, is more valid than ever. Get in line, ditch the illusion of a “safe” and embrace the “growth” mindset. If we stop growing, we start dying. Small IS beautiful, it is just not sustainable.

For Government and Economic Development Agencies, the puzzle is getting more and more complex… Hang in there!

We really don’t know what we are doing, but we are doing!

Alicia Castillo Holley is an international expert on Wealthing (R) a system to create wealth. She has started 9 companies and one not-for-profit, raised millions of dollars and trained thousands of people. She’s a recognized author and speaker and travels around the world twice a year as a speaker /trainer. http://www.wealthing.com

Working capital loans can be used to help companies pay for their operational costs. The net capital is also defined as the difference between a business’s current assets and liabilities. It’s the amount of money the company has currently as its disposal to pay for daily and immediate expenses. If you are having trouble meeting those financial requirements, then you’ll want to look into business capital loans.

However, there are instances when an organization might have more than enough in working capital all the time, yet it still might not be a good thing. This could be a sign that the business isn’t utilizing its assets to the fullest, and you might want to look for better ways to utilize those assets.

Regardless of why you think this kind of loan might be right for you, it’s important to understand the working capital ratio to help you determine how much money you should request. In terms of financial health, you will want a ratio between 1.2 and 2.0, regarding current assets / current liabilities. If a business has $100,000 in current assets and $80,000 in current liabilities, that means 100,000 / 80,000, which results in 1.25 s the working capital ratio.

If your working capital is below 1.2, then you will want to request the amount of money you’ll need to bring it up some when applying for business capital loans.

Ways to Utilize Business Capital Loans

You can go about applying for business loans in a number of ways. There are installment loans or term loans that are issued to borrowers in a single lump sum, and from there borrowers are expected to pay back that amount itself plus interest in fixed installments. You’ll find numerous online lenders and alternative lenders that are offer a quick application process and competitive rates.

The Small Business Administration also offers a number of loan programs, including capital loans, most commonly in the form of 7(a) loans. A portion of the loan is guaranteed by the SBA, so if you lack the collateral necessary to get a loan on your own, the 7(a) might be a good option.

Before applying, have an outline of how you plan to use the money. Lenders will want you to be as detailed as possible. Also, don’t just think of how your business will benefit with the loan, think of the possible setbacks as well. If you don’t carefully look into the fees, terms and conditions, repayment schedule, interest rate, etc., your company might end up being in an even worse situation ultimately.

Regardless of what type of business capital loans you’re looking for, one lender you might want to consider is AnalytIQ Group. The site offers lines of credit for small business, including those that require working capital, and more. The application process is extremely fast.

To get closer to financial freedom, visit Our Client Center:

Raising money for business can be a very useful and potential litigious activity if not done properly. It is important to keep certain rules/laws in mind so that you and your potential investor(s) are on the same page throughout the entire process. Raising venture capital from business angels or a venture capital firm is no easy task however, but it is possible with all the right ingredients.

Seven Essential Rules When Raising Money from Angel Investors

1. Always have a complete, written, professional business plan.

2. Always tell the potential investor that the worst case scenario is that they can lose their money.

3. Make sure your assumptions section of your business plan is extensive, accurate, and professional.

4. Have a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) prepare your cash flow projections using the NPV (Net Present Value) break-even point.

5. Dress conservatively. Men wear a blue suit, white shirt, and a red tie, for example.

6. Be confident and look them directly in the eye when presenting to U.S. prospects.

7. Have your attorney review any agreement before signing.

When presenting to an angel investor always have your written business plan with you and use it during your meeting with your prospective investor. This is extremely important. When the investor asks to see your business plan, you better have one or you are dead in the water. Not having one is truly a deal killer. If you are empty-handed, you will look amateurish and hurt your credibility. Not having a business plan is like showing up to play football and purposely leaving the football at home. It is your most valuable and most essential tool set when seeking money for business.

Cash for business when you start up and continuous cash flow are two of the most critical factors that determine whether you survive long enough to have a chance to thrive and become profitable. The old adage “cash is king” holds very true here; it is liken unto a beating heart, if it stops, you are no longer living. If your cash flow stops or you run out of cash for business operations, then you are out of business. Often times business angels will agree to provide initial and future funds for business. Future funds for your business are often tied to benchmarks that you will set together when you start your financial relationship.

When dealing with private investors (angel investors), they already know that the worst case scenario is that they could lose their money. If you do not acknowledge this well known fact as being true, they may feel that you are deceiving them, and rightfully so. By getting this out in the open, you become a truth-teller, an honest broker, and as such, more trustworthy.

The assumptions section of your plan is your logic, reasoning, and basis for your conclusions. This shows the potential investor how you think, what you know, and how well you can apply what you know to a business situation. This section is a double-edged-sword. It can be your best friend if you are savvy and know what you are doing, or it can be your worst nightmare if your assumptions are grounded in fantasy instead of fact. The cash flow projections are also a particularly important part of your business plan and should be prepared by a CPA.

The conservative dress mentioned in rule number 5 has been studied and found to increase your ratio of sales closed to number of presentations given. Go with what works, regardless of the urge to dress differently. Be confident and look them in the eye for U.S. prospects. There are other cultures that you should not look in the eye as much, so do your homework if presenting to international prospects and find out their culture norms in advance. This paints a positive picture in your U.S. prospect’s mind, one of confidence, sureness, and honesty.

Have any agreements that your private investor (angel) may offer reviewed by an attorney before you consider signing. Do not fall victim to the pressure of urgency. Take a day to think it over and present it to your attorney. You will look more intelligent to them and will be able to make a much more informed decision.

Business help can be an essential part when seeking cash for business. This is particularly true when it comes to raising money for a new business. Part of your preparation to raise capital is researching, writing, editing, and producing your written business plan. Often times, we as entrepreneurs get so close to our own business plan that we lose our objectivity. In other words, we fall in love with our plan, making it difficult to clearly see any mistakes or flaws in our facts or assumptions. This is why having the objective feedback of another person that is skilled and educated in business is crucial. Seek out the help you need and do it right. I wish you the best of luck in your efforts.

If you would like further help with developing your business plan or would like more information on venture capital, please visit my Amazon Author Page to discover my latest books.

Mr. C. Mark Johnson is a writer, author, and entrepreneur. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business and numerous certificates. Mr. Johnson is also a United States Air Force veteran. He lives in the Southeastern United States and enjoys traveling, trail walking, walking and training his dog, and the martial arts.

The line in the sand has been drawn. You’ve vowed to never step foot back into that office alive again after working the same dead end job for ten years. It’s time to start that business you know for sure will succeed. All you need is to dedicate those sixty hours a week to your own bottom line. There’s only one roadblock. You have no money and the bank has already denied you for several other loans. All is not lost. Seek the help you need from those venture capital firms or angel investors you have heard so much about at meetings.

A venture capital firm is a collection of investors looking to throw their money into the next great idea that will grant them generous returns. With their money, your restaurant, retail store, or latest invention transforms from a day dream into a reality. Several options of repayment, ownership, and terms are discussed between you and your angel investors on how you will reward them for believing in your idea. First, you have to win their confidence.

The most important part of your business is your business plan. Before you approach a venture capital firm, do your homework. Transfer it from your brain to paper. Your goal is to create a business plan that will motivate investors to write your company name on that blank check. Also, in writing your business plan, you will discover how much you know or don’t know about the adventure in which you will embark. Or you may find the concept is not as fabulous as you imagined.

Start with research. Intense study uncovers little known nuances about your new chosen industry and fills holes in your concept. Identify your competitors. Dissect their company products, services and policies. What don’t they offer that you can implement into your business concept? Find a niche in the market that will set you apart from others who may be seeking the same clients, customers and investors you want to attract.

Next, examine the industry trends. Analyze the data. Find out when sales and profits are at their lowest. Are you merging into the gift basket business that suffers during the summer, after mother’s day? Brainstorm ideas you can include in your plan to overcome those industry wide obstacles.

Use your data to make logical predictions of future industry trends. Can you predict a disaster like the “dotcom” failure at the end of the twentieth century? Your potential investor friends will want to be shown the money. Show it to them in standard financial and cash flow statements.

Now, come back to the beginning and write a two-page summary of the company. This will serve as the introduction to your business plan. Some experts call it the Executive Summary. I call it the sales pitch.

Your summary will be the first section investors read about your business. If it doesn’t sell them, then it becomes the last thing they read about your business.

Take your time, do your research and make sure your business plan sells, sells, sells!

Yasheve Miller is web copywriter and internet marketing specialist whose primary focus us to generate leads and convert prospective customers into sales for his client. [http://www.yasheve.com] makes small businesses competitive with branding and marketing campaigns tailored to each individual business.

When is the right time to consider VC or Private Equity for your enterprise? Initially every entrepreneur needs to first see if they have exhausted all other options first. Typically, a company would be low on equity when considering private investors. There are however multiple sources of equity capital, including, Friends & Family, Business Angels, VC’s, Corporate/Strategic Investors, Private Equity companies or The Entrepreneur’s own capital.

For those seeking capital of $500k+ look for VC. For smaller investments, entrepreneurs should seek a Business Angel or Debt Capital. An understanding of the different types of funding stages is therefore useful so see below.

Pre-seed funding is funding that is needed prior to physically construct the enterprise. Usually this funding goes to putting together a good business plan that can impress potential investors.

Seed funding is funding that is required to start building the company. It is possible that some companies could if appropriate skip this funding phase, but seed capital is usually the capital that is required to get the basics for a start-up. Usually at seed stage, a company is not yet ready to open for business, and this funding is usually used to rent office space, real estate, equipment needed to produce the company’s product or service

Seed funding is less commonly invested by VC’s and is not necessarily a large amount of funding. Seed funding can range from $100k-$500k. Rarely does it exceed $1m. Seed capital can also be raised from a Business Angel, Friends and Family or the Entrepreneur’s own funds. Only 15% to 25% of VC’s invest in seed funding.

Early stage funding is usually where VC is sought. A company is usually ready to trade but requires additional capital for salaries.

Later stage funding is also known as expansion/growth stage funding is for companies who are doing well and are seeking to expand.

There are numerous ways that entrepreneurs raise seed capital to get started. These conventional ways include raising debt capital from a business lender, merchant bank or angel investor who are willing to invest seed capital into the business. Other more ingenious entrepreneurs raise seed capital through raising debt capital, sweat equity and funding from friends and family. VC is usually raised with early stage funding, i.e. as above, series A or series B funding. In most cases, VC’s will not invest less than $1 million in a company.

Understand these and you will be off to a good start and be taken seriously.

If you need help or guidance contact AnalytIQ Group

Venture capital firms are different from private investors in that they have raised capital from a number of high net worth individuals with the intent to make investments on their behalf into promising start up companies and expanding businesses so that they can ultimately take the business public via an IPO or sell the business for a substantial earnings multiple. There is not a single business that does not face any type of specific business risk that should be addressed within your business plan. You should showcase, within your business plan, how you’ll deal with an economic recession as it relates to remaining profitable and cash flow positive. The primary difference between private investors and venture capital firms is that these individuals tend to live in areas where there are a number of other high net worth individuals. In some instances, you may be able to finance your business through credit card receivables if you’re already in operation as an alternative to expensive equity capital financing.

Angel investors usually have a net worth of $500,000 to $1,000,000 although this number may be higher in selected metropolitan areas. It should be noted that venture capital firms will typically take 30 days to 60 days to make a decision as it relates to the capital that you need. Most angel investors are prepared to make their investment decision within two weeks of receiving your proposal. In any document that is specific for a angel investor or venture capital firm should have appropriate disclosures as it relates to the risks associated with business which should be drafted by an attorney. When you’re developing your business plan for an angel investor or venture capital firm, it is extremely important that you dismiss your emotions in the product or services that you is that you sell.

We recommend that you have your attorney present during your first meeting in order to make sure that the individual is a legitimate investor or venture capital firm that is willing to make a significant investment into your business. It should also be noted that there are firms out there that can introduce you to angel investors or syndicated individual investment groups when you are seeking private equity capital.

The primary difference between an individual investor and a venture capital firm is the amount of capital that they are willing to provide you with as it relates to making an equity investment into your firm. As such, if you are seeking less than $5,000,000 then it may be in your better interest to work with an angel investor rather than a large scale investment firm.

Matthew Deutsch is a prominent business plan writer. His work has been included in nine books pertaining to this subject. Additionally, Mr. Deutsch has written extensively on subjects regarding entrepreneurship, small business lending, angel investing, and other related topics.

Angel investors do not usually provide loans unless there is a substantial interest rate associated with this type of financing. There are many industries that are less risky and therefore more attractive to angel investors that allow them to provide equity capital to promising ventures. There are a number of strings attached to working with private funding sources that provide capital in both the form of debt or equity capital. Private investors may include hard money lenders that want to generate a high interest rate from property based loans.

Entrepreneurship is the fastest growing new field of study in American higher education. This has been primarily due to the fact that given the job climate many people are looking to crate their own jobs rather than looking to find employment at a third party firm.

If you have a private placement memorandum drafted then you can use to a PPM broker to sell your securities third-party as it relates to raising either debt or equity capital. As it relates to real estate, owner-occupied properties are typically not funded through equity financing. Prior seeking any type of financing, you should become very well educated as to how the process works so that you can get the best deal possible. You need to thoroughly consider whether or not your business is appropriate for the current market as it relates to raising capital. You should take the viewpoint of a type of third-party funding source when you are determining whether or not you need third party investment.

Never give up too much equity in your business to a third party as it relates to working with a venture capital firm, angel investor, or private equity firm. It should be noted that your private funding source should considered to be accredited. An accredited investor has an income exceeding $200,000 per year if they are not married or $300,000 per year if they are married. An attorney should be closely to inform you of the specific laws that are related to raising capital from a private source as you will need to remain within the letter of law as it pertains to these matters. However, you should not spend an exorbitant amount of money as it relates to having the counsel that you need in order to raise capital.

In conclusion, raising capital is an expensive process and it comes with substantial risks. You can anticipate that 3% to 5% of the capital you raise will be associated with costs pertaining to obtaining this type of financing.

Matthew Deutsch is a prominent business plan writer. His work has been included in nine books pertaining to this subject. Additionally, Mr. Deutsch has written extensively on subjects regarding entrepreneurship, small business lending, angel investing, and other related topics.

There are a number of laws that are applicable to raising capital from a third party source. This is primarily due to the fact that the Securities and Exchange Commission has outlined a number of regulations that ensure that angel investors are protected from companies that do not intend to use the funds as they have advertised to a potential funding source. Whenever you are thinking of raising capital, you should work with an attorney that can assist you with developing the appropriate documentation for a potential funding source. It is imperative that you focus substantially on ensuring that you remain within the letter of the law as it relates to working with a third party capital source.

In some instances, you may be required to pay a certain amount of taxes on the amount of capital that you raise from a private investor. However, these taxes are only applied on the state level. You should ensure that your certified public accountant makes you well aware of any and all applicable taxes that you may incur as a result of your capital raising activities.

When you are raising capital from angel investors or a venture capital firm then you may need to have a private placement memorandum. This document will ensure that you are able to create a standard method of how you offer your deal to prospective investors. Additionally, this document will make sure that the investment that you are offering is provided only to accredited investors or sophisticated investors. The Securities Exchange Commission portal has a number of pieces of information that will allow you to learn the difference between these types of investors as well as providing you with an oversight as it relates to the rules that you will need to follow in regards to your capital raising activities for your small business.

In closing, it is always important that you seek the appropriate accounting and legal counsel whenever you are thinking about raising capital from a third party source. This will ensure that you do not fall into the trap of potentially losing your investment funds because you did not properly follow the applicable laws. It should be noted that securities laws are not only federally based but stated based as well. Although this may be an expensive endeavor for your business, the return on investment by having the appropriate advisers in place will ensure that you do not face still fines and penalties that may impact your business in years to come.

Matthew Deutsch is a prominent business plan writer. His work has been included in nine books pertaining to this subject. Additionally, Mr. Deutsch has written extensively on subjects regarding entrepreneurship, small business lending, angel investing, and other related topics.

There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped businesses that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option that owners think of – and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.

In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult – especially for start-up companies and those that have experienced any type of financial difficulty. Sometimes, owners of businesses that don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing on equity investors are other viable options.

But are they really? While there are some potential benefits to bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, owners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a contract with a venture capitalist or angel investor – and it’s too late to back out of the deal.

Different Types of Financing

One problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.

Working capital – or the money that is used to pay business expenses incurred during the time lag until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected – is short-term in nature, so it should be financed via a short-term financing tool. Equity, however, should generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that are repaid over more than one 12-month business cycle.

But the biggest drawback to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you are giving up a percentage of ownership in your business, and you may be doing so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership most often comes a loss of control over some or all of the most important business decisions that must be made.

Sometimes, owners are enticed to sell equity by the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you don’t usually pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor gains its return via the ownership stake gained in your business. But the long-term “cost” of selling equity is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, in terms of both actual cash cost as well as soft costs like the loss of control and stewardship of your company and the potential future value of the ownership shares that are sold.

Alternative Financing Solutions

But what if your business needs working capital and you don’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are often appropriate for injecting working capital into businesses in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by such businesses are:

1. Full-Service Factoring – Businesses sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative finance that is especially well-suited for rapidly growing companies and those with customer concentrations.

2. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Financing – A/R financing is an ideal solution for companies that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the business provides details on all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. The proceeds of those receivables are sent to a lockbox while the finance company calculates a borrowing base to determine the amount the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, it makes an advance request and the finance company advances money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.

3. Asset-Based Lending (ABL) – This is a credit facility secured by all of a company’s assets, which may include A/R, equipment and inventory. Unlike with factoring, the business continues to manage and collect its own receivables and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will review and periodically audit the reports.

In addition to providing working capital and enabling owners to maintain business control, alternative financing may provide other benefits as well:

• • It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and obtain an increase.
  • Professional collateral management can be included depending on the facility type and the lender.
  • Real-time, online interactive reporting is often available.
  • It may provide the business with access to more capital.
  • It’s flexible – financing ebbs and flows with the business’ needs.

It’s important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches – these are capital needs that are not generally well suited to debt financing. However, equity is not usually the appropriate financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help plug a cash-flow gap.

A Precious Commodity

Remember that business equity is a precious commodity that should only be considered under the right circumstances and at the right time. When equity financing is sought, ideally this should be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and thus, absolute control) should remain with the company founder(s).

Alternative financing solutions like factoring, A/R financing and ABL can provide the working capital boost many cash-strapped businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing need – without diluting ownership and possibly giving up business control at an inopportune time for the owner. If and when these companies become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker may be able to refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer the right type of alternative financing solution for your particular situation.

Taking the time to understand all the different financing options available to your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to make sure you choose the best option for your business. The use of alternative financing can help your company grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business – shouldn’t you keep as much of it as possible?

Tracy Eden is the National Marketing Director for Commercial Finance Group (CFG), which has offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. CFG provides creative financing solutions to businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing. Visit http://www.cfgroup.net or contact Tracy at tdeden@cfgroup.net.

Joint venture businesses are composed of two or more companies, groups or individual businessmen or businesses. The join each other to create a much better or a new business line, hence the name joint. Today, a lot of businesses have been joint venturing with other businesses and companies for numerous benefits. Although the benefits are obvious, there are still some disadvantages when joint venturing.

Joint venture has lots of benefits; one of the most obvious is that you can survive financial crisis or depression because your venture partners can absorb some of your financial crisis to retain the company in shape. Usually this venture is being done to eliminate some or totally eliminate the competition to achieve a monopolized market for your business.

Another reason for businesses to have a joint venture is to have a different line or target market. This is to enable the company, usually a much bigger one, to target other market other than their present market. This enables the company to enter a new line of business and learn more about the products that they are going to create from their joint partners. This is very beneficial especially for those companies that jointed with other companies that have trade secrets or patented products and intellectual properties. They can now gain access to this valuable information that could help them and their partners expand their business.

Upon entering a new market, this venture not only allows the other company to enter and penetrate the market of the other, it also helps the other companies’ capabilities with handling the market. This makes the company a much bigger and better competitor if not the best in their specific market. Giving them full and great access and flexibility with their target market.

Joint venture capital also helps the company grow faster. This is because of the number of business lines that they have. This enables them to profit from different markets. For the part of the company that a market fails, the total failure is being absorbed by the entire venture capitalists. This works equally the same by the time they gain profit.

Although there are numerous advantages of joint venturing, there are some disadvantages too. One is that if your business partners were not as productive as your business. This will become a drag for you since you will equally share and endure the drawback of the other business. Another is you will have to share all the information that you have to your partners. And finally, if your business partners are not as effective or work efficient as you are. This may affect the management area of your business and may result to lower success of success. Besides that the power to govern your business is no longer solely to your company, but for the whole joint ventured companies.

Overall, joint venturing is a nice thing to do if you plan on expanding and growing your business much faster and if you intend on having different lines of market. Just a simple reminder, learn more about the partners you are going to have your joint venture. Choosing the right business or company can lead to success and vice versa.

Contact us for more information on a host of additional services.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mabel_Miles/887749

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6131065

Venture capital firms are different from private investors in that they have raised capital from a number of high net worth individuals with the intent to make investments on their behalf into promising start up companies and expanding businesses so that they can ultimately take the business public via an IPO or sell the business for a substantial earnings multiple. There is not a single business that does not face any type of specific business risk that should be addressed within your business plan. You should showcase, within your business plan, how you’ll deal with an economic recession as it relates to remaining profitable and cash flow positive. The primary difference between private investors and venture capital firms is that these individuals tend to live in areas where there are a number of other high net worth individuals. In some instances, you may be able to finance your business through credit card receivables if you’re already in operation as an alternative to expensive equity capital financing.

Angel investors usually have a net worth of $500,000 to $1,000,000 although this number may be higher in selected metropolitan areas. It should be noted that venture capital firms will typically take 30 days to 60 days to make a decision as it relates to the capital that you need. Most angel investors are prepared to make their investment decision within two weeks of receiving your proposal. In any document that is specific for a angel investor or venture capital firm should have appropriate disclosures as it relates to the risks associated with business which should be drafted by an attorney. When you’re developing your business plan for an angel investor or venture capital firm, it is extremely important that you dismiss your emotions in the product or services that you is that you sell.

We recommend that you have your attorney present during your first meeting in order to make sure that the individual is a legitimate investor or venture capital firm that is willing to make a significant investment into your business. It should also be noted that there are firms out there that can introduce you to angel investors or syndicated individual investment groups when you are seeking private equity capital.

The primary difference between an individual investor and a venture capital firm is the amount of capital that they are willing to provide you with as it relates to making an equity investment into your firm. As such, if you are seeking less than $5,000,000 then it may be in your better interest to work with an angel investor rather than a large scale investment firm.

An effective way to receive the venture capital that you need is by selling your business to the venture capital (VC) firms. But of course, you should never approach those venture capitalists empty handed. Keep in mind that VC firms will have to evaluate the viability of your business, first based on your business plan and second from your business pitch. More importantly, VCS are more likely to venture with you if they see these four important qualities in your business: disruptive technology, potential for fast growth, well-rounded business model, and top performing management team.

Supposed that you have managed to meet those four qualification criteria, your next task is to curate the negotiation process between your company and the VC firm. Present your business plan putting more emphasis on the profit generation aspect. Also remember that VCs would only give you that venture capital fund if you are going to share with them a slice of the pie – or a percentage of your equity. Therefore, you have to be wary of the terms and conditions being proposed by the VC firm for that could affect your control over your business in the long run.

The rule of the VCs is simple: If you accept our offer, you can have that venture capital fund. Your goal should be simple as well: Receive a good offer. And to achieve it, here are the important matters that you need to prepare.

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Write your business plan well.

Starting a business is difficult but so is writing a business plan. All the transactions, events, projections, assumptions, and SWOT of your business, you need to put them in writing in such a way that it would convince the VCs to seed money. VCs want their money back doubled, tripled or more in the span of 3 to 7 years. Knowing this, you have to show on your financial projections that you can at least break-even within the first or second year. The rest in your business plan is proving them that your business is worth the investment.

Justify your Capital Spending Plan and their Return on Investment (ROI).

While these money matters are already discussed in the business plan, VCs would want to hear you stating the same facts and figures in your ten minute business pitch. Expect drill-down questions like “Why three years for that ROI, why not two?” or be ready to give your best explanation when they tell you “What you’re asking is too much (or too little).” If you want to receive that venture capital, you have to be bold on your financial bets.

Focus on the growth of your business so they could find you.

Venture capital is a big industry. Venture capital funds are raised by venture capital firms from wealthy individuals, companies and private investors. Today, major players in this market don’t stop looking for startups and small businesses that could give them high returns. If they see your business selling high, they will approach you to offer the venture capital funds. So idea here is this: Make your business shine so that the VCs could easily find and back you.

Sell your business with full confidence.

A real entrepreneur knows his business more than anybody else. Whether you’re a startup or a company ready to launch your IPO next month, you can receive that venture capital if you will sell your business with high level of entrepreneurial skills. Once you’re in front of the VCs, consider it your first and last pitch. So give it all your best to get their best venture capital offer.

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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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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 AnalytIQ Group. They are committed to offering financial solutions to help small and medium sized businesses grow.

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