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MenuWhen sending out a teaser for seed money, if we manage the process ourselves instead of using an investment banker, will we be taken seriously?
We are an engineering services firm that is in beta testing on software. To date we have self funded, but we are thinking about seeking investment to get us to the next level, as well as an experienced investor who can help us avoid landmines.
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Since you mentioned you're raising a seed round, I strongly suggest not using an investment banker. At the seed stage, VCs are investing in you more than your business—putting a banker in the middle will do you a lot of disservice. IBs are typically used for Series B and beyond.
I also noticed that you call yourself an engineering services firm—typically services companies don't make good VC fundable businesses. If you have a product that you can spin off and raise money for, that might be more attractive. Happy to chat in more detail about the fundraising process if you wish.
There are so many ways to generate funds.
I can't imagine people looking for bank funds these days.
I can think of likely a dozen ways off the top of my head.
Here's just one.
1) Open a Credit Karma account.
2) Follow their directions for boosting to 800+ credit score.
Note: I just did this. Took 60 days to go from 647 to 800+.
3) At this point, acquire business cards (they don't show up on your personal credit score), focusing on cards providing balance transfers at $0 initial fee + 0% interest for 15-18+ months.
4) After you apply for 2x cards (which you'll get easily), then keep applying for cards until your Credit Karma account shows 2x "hard inquiries". Once these show up, check Credit Karma account every month, till 1x hard inquiries disappear.
5) Then continue #4 over + over, till you have however many $1,000,000s in credit you require for self funding.
This is way better than messing with banks or other capital sources, as you're in 100% control + you keep 100% of your company.
You're welcome to book a call for other capital generation suggestions.
No sure anyone can properly answer this without first getting more information - as the famous investor quote goes: "I trust in GOD, all the rest need to show data"
Anyway, assuming you've validated your idea, and know how to give a great pitch, then of course investors will take you seriously. You just need to come very prepared (with your numbers, background research on investors, how much you want & in exchange for what* etc).
* It's not enough to know that you want $200K for 10% (for example). You need to prepare in advance for alternative numbers and be able to think fast. For example: if they offer $230k for 12% - is this better or worse (you have 30 seconds - and this is an easy one)?
I've successfully helped over 300 entrepreneurs, and would be happy to help you with the validation (if not done yet), the pitch deck and the pitch itself.
Well done for creating a startup. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Hi,
Good question. I agree with several others that you should not use an investment banker to raise seed money.
Have you done any market/customer validation of your software. This is really important before you start raising money from outside investors. Investors will ask.
I am working with other start-ups (including my own) on how to raise money without bringing in outside investors. The best case scenario is talk potential customers to do a proof-of-concept, feasibility project.
I am happy to talk through the various options with you if you set-up a call.
In agreement with others, you should not get an IB involved at this stage. Seed investors (or super angels - since you did not say how much you are raising) are sensitive to fees being spent from the proceeds. They want everything possible going into the business, not 3rd party pockets.
However, you should also think about the process differently. You need to focus your presentation on getting meetings, not the investment first. You will learn more in the meetings that will improve your story and fundability.
As others have mentioned, you need to have market validation that your product is interesting. Smart investors (versus the legendary "dumb money") that you seek to assist the company with more than just capital will want to see team, technology, and traction.
Yes, to an extent but once you get bigger you will need an investment banker to get to that next level. All depends on the goal for your business.
It sounds as though your company is pre-revenue so I'm not sure what value you are offering an investor, even at seed stage. As for composing your company summary, it is imperative that you learn how to present your company to investors. You would be better served by creating a small group of experienced advisors to assist with benchmark challenges, strategy and investment prep.
Related Questions
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How much equity is typically taken by investors in a seed round?
From my experience I would not advise you to go with Venture Capital when you're a start-up as in the end they will most likely end up screwing you. A much better source for funding would be angel investors or friends/family. The question of how much equity should I give away differs for every start-up. I remember with my first company I gave away 30% because I wanted to get it off the ground. This was the best decision I ever made. Don't over valuate your company as having 70% of something is big is a whole lot better than having 100% of something small. You have to decide your companies value based on Assets/I.P(Intellectual Property)/Projections. I assume you have some follow up questions and I would love to help you so if you need any help feel free to call me. Kind Regards, GiulianoGS
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Pitch Decks: Where can you get the most design bang for your buck?
I heard of a startup that recently launched called http://sketchdeck.com that has become pretty popular for fundraising decks. Happy to do a dry run of your pitch with you in a call.TW
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How do startups figure out their pre-money valuation when when talking to investors before their company is making any money?
I'm both an active angel investor and entrepreneur who has recently raised capital. I'll start with what is standard in Silicon Valley and then apply various multiples and discounts where relevant. For an angel or early seed round, the current going rate is $3m-$5m pre-money via a capped note or priced round. Priced Rounds typically most often use the "Series Seed" docs and Convertible Notes typically are 18-24 month terms with a 15% discount. I don't mean to be argumentative but Marco is incorrect that valuation can be avoided by a capped note. And in general, there is no way to avoid setting a valuation except via an uncapped note, which is almost unheard of. Setting your cap and discount will have a significant impact on your cap structure, the same (and in some cases) worse than a priced round. This $3m - $5m range is what I'd call current market value in the valley for "ideation-stage" capital. This is that there is a team in place, typically some form of MVP and in some cases some very basic market data supporting the general thesis of the raise. In the other market I'm familiar with (Canada), the range for the same stage of capital is $1m - $3 with most being in between $1m and $2m and most preferring priced rounds over notes. These rounds rarely have a real lead since the raise is typically $500k or less, so if you price it reasonably, most (good) angels will accept the terms as is. The low and high end of the ranges are discounted and pushed by the credibility presented most often by the team (done it before, worked for a notable company, had some relevant success) or strong evidence of the thesis being correct. It's also the Founder's option to price the round at the top end of reasonable or provide what you might consider a discount, depending on the kind of investors you are courting. So while this is what I'm seeing as "current market conditions" there is price elasticity in any market. The best way you know if you've priced it right, is if people are buying. Any angel investor should be able to give you a conditional answer after the first meeting (subject to playing with the product, reading terms, meeting the rest of the team). Any angel investor in ideation stage capital who can't give you a yes, no or subject-to yes in the first meeting is not worth pursuing IMO. Any investor who can't close within 3 meetings or conversations won't close (9 times out of 10). Happy to talk to you about the specifics of where you're at, what might help you improve your odds and generally get you closer to the point where you're ready to raise.TW
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Among platforms for startup funding, AngelList is the 800 pound gorilla. Does it make sense to use simultaneously other platforms like Gust, etc?
Short answer: Of course! Many angel groups require you to submit through Gust because it offers a consistency and makes reviewing applications easier. But not all use Gust same as not all use AngelList... I haven't met an angel who frowns upon using multiple platforms. I would encourage you to leverage your twitter and Facebook or Instagram to meet angels and get in their radar (don't hassle or stalk) just try to get exposed a bit to them by being part of the same meetup group, follow the same blog, membership... Subscribe to their own blog.. And when you submit funding request considerations do please send a follow up email or a call or basket of fruits if you have contact them before.HV
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What metrics are investors looking for in a fashion/clothing/apparel startup?
Team is more important than the startup itself. Investors prefer invest in the Jockey over the Horse. There may be n number of reasons for not getting through the funding rounds. If your startup is able to provide 10x return I can invest straight away. However, I will look at the team first and foremost and then I will look at the management skills and then I will come to other metrics like traction and scalability.DS
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