A Checklist for Composing Cash Flow Projections
When composing a cash flow projection, have the following information handy: CASH ON HAND • Total of all cash on hand, reconciled for outstanding amounts REVENUE All sources • Estimates of cash...
View ArticleIs it Time for an IPO?
It has been at least a decade since going public via an Initial Public Offering (IPO) has been considered a credible exit strategy for startups. But the word was out on Reuters that some of the...
View ArticleA Savvy Startup Always Builds a Great Loan Pitch
Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort, especially early-stage startups that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. A question...
View ArticleFounder’s Stock
In reality, so-called “founder’s” shares are simply common stock, issued at the time of startup incorporation, for a very low price, and normally allocated to the multiple initial players commensurate...
View ArticleHow to Get More Venture Capital
Startups and entrepreneurs need to be realists. You need to accept the fact that the down economy over the last couple of years has changed the way in which venture capitalists (VCs) see the world, so...
View ArticleVariables in Splitting Startup Equity
One of the first tough decisions that startup founders have to make is how to allocate or split the equity among co-founders. The easy answer of splitting it equally among all co-founders, since there...
View ArticleHow to Get Venture Capital Investment
Venture capitalists (VCs) are looking for business, but not from first-time startups. Sure, there is always some seed funding (10% of overall deal flow), but you can bet that this money goes to...
View ArticleWhy Crowd-Funding May Not Work For You
One of the hot new approaches I have seen around the country for assisting startups looking for funding has been “crowd-sourcing” sites or “crowd-pitching” events. These are variations on a...
View ArticleFunding Scams to Avoid on the Internet
Some aspiring entrepreneurs are so desperate for funding, or naïve, that they ignore the obvious signs of scams and rip-offs on the Internet, praying for a windfall. One would think that with all the...
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Follow The Money: How Small Businesses Get Funding
Finding the cash to launch your business or keep it running can be a daunting task. Whether you are reaching into your pocketbook (or someone else’s), borrowing money from a bank or seeking a...
View ArticleViews on Philanthropy (Part 1): Non-Profit Efficiency
My cofounder at Atlas wrote a post a while back about his views on philanthropy. I thought I would reiterate some of his points and share some of my own views and observations on what the social space...
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How To Raise Money For Your Startup
Over the last three years I have seen over a thousand startups in their early stages. I witnessed many of them go from an idea to funding within several months. I have also seen some of them...
View ArticleViews on Philanthropy (Part II) – Room for Innovation
Below is the second installment of my segment on philanthropy. If you’re curious about part one, check out my post on non-profit efficiency. Lesson #2: There’s a lot of room for innovation Another...
View ArticleIs Your Startup Ready for Investor Funding?
Startup fever is in full gear these days. Between the startup IPOs, billion dollar valuations, and enthusiasm in the investment community, there’s a lot of energy around entrepreneurship right now....
View ArticleWays to Attract Your Angel Investor
John was introduced to me from an investor in my new company at the time and John was an old friend of his. I was really nervous when I pitched him, knowing what he could mean to my company. But after...
View ArticleTips For A Perfect Startup Pitch
When you are pitching, consider the difference your product makes, whether it creates an incremental efficiency or whether it completely disrupts the market. Assuming that your offering truly disrupts...
View ArticleLessons on Getting Money – Part 1
Lesson 1: You have to ask If you don’t ask, you don’t get. The money doesn’t miraculously appear. So: Get into the habit of asking. Enjoy asking. Do you like doing this? If not, why not? And what are...
View ArticleLessons on Getting Money – Part 2
Lesson 5: Understand the concept of the “Donor Pyramid” Get people in at a low level, and… Move them up to giving and doing more, and… Get them to become regular and more substantial givers… Then they...
View ArticleReasons to Use an Exit Strategy in Venture Philanthropy
An explicit exit strategy is a vital part of the value proposition a nonprofit should expect from a VP funder. An articulated exit strategy is not just an add-on, but an essential, value-added strategy...
View ArticleLessons on Getting Money – Part 3
Lesson 9: Make a good case Say what you propose to do Say why this is important, how many people will be helped and the difference this will make. Show how it is an imaginative and creative solution to...
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