Pitfalls to Avoid in Applying for a Venture Capital

Most entrepreneurs know what they have to do when searching for venture capital. But there also common mistakes that you have to avoid when presenting your business. An applicant can be rejected for a number of things.

Most venture capitalists are only required to approve a certain number of business plans they come across everyday. Your business must have a competitive edge over others that will get the attention of the investors.

You have prepared all of your legal documents and practiced your pitch a thousand times only to get rejected. At some point, you won't even know why you got rejected. Don't wonder if applicants get rejected over something trivial. To be able to increase your chances of getting approved you must know what to do and the common pitfalls to avoid when applying for a venture capital.

Don't be too technical. Investors pay more attention to number and figures because they understand them better. Although this may give the impression that you know your business like the back of your hand, the investors may not understand you. Your presentation should be able to communicate well with your audience. You know "Facts Tell, Stories Sell" and emotions sell, ego, greed and fear of loss buys the most of the times.

Don't give false hopes. Overly optimistic projections may ruin your credibility. Investors rely on credible financial projections not expectations. Unless your assumptions on future earnings are back up by credible sources, don't mind bringing them up. It's better to present realistic figures that can be achieved by the business.

Do not provide incomplete financial information. You must present both past and projected financial data. Historical financial information informs your investors what the company has accomplished and communicates future projections. You will need balance sheets, income and cash flow statements.

Sales are not the solution to all problems. Investors are looking for businesses that have potential for long term returns. Earning in small profits that can be collected in a timely basis proves a better survival strategy. Earning large amounts of profits while loosing money at the same time will ruin your business.

Concealing problems of the business is not a good idea. Investors also understand that all business has problems. State the whole story and inform them how you will manage and solve it in the future. Owing up to past and existing problems is better than hiding them. As long as you can present a solution your investors will understand.

Low price leverage. The low price strategy can only be achieved by one leader in an industry. It's not a good sign to your investors if you are relying on a low price rather than the quality of your product or service. Wal-mart is one the few who can manage to capitalize on this strategy. (But how they can is a complex issue.)

Overconfidence in your product is also not a good idea. Your idea maybe unique but you should always remember that the possibility of a competition will always be there. Every business profits from a need and any smart entrepreneur knows that. Your ideas may different but looking at the whole picture you may also be focusing on a need that others are also addressing. 

State the facts in print. All entrepreneurs have a clear vision of what their business is but not all of them are good in putting them in print. It's important to be the author of your own business plan than get outside help that may not be bale to capture your thoughts.

Silard Matrai
SXH Capital

Venture Capital Cycle – How Does it Go?

Venture capital is something that most aspiring entrepreneurs are eyeing. This is because the deal is rather simple – you submit the proposal, firms accept the deal and provide funds to finance it. Compared to bank loans which you need to repay, venture capital is paid by the firms and investors.

But while it may seem easy, the process may be a little complicated as you go along. Here is a simple discussion on venture capital cycle and how it works.

The cycle is basically made up of three stages: raising of funds, investment of such funds, and exit.

Before you can close a venture capital deal, you must first find a venture capital firm. Research on the firms available, and see which industries they are most inclined to. Your proposal must fit their investment criteria, otherwise, everything would just be a waste of time. The usual fields are biotech and greentech. If these are the types of businesses that you wish to enter into, then you are in luck.

The next step is to develop a business proposal. This you will submit to the firm. It is therefore important that the proposal is short but complete and well-researched. At this stage you may seek help from professionals and consultants. Make sure that there are no errors in it. When it is your time to present, be sure to have studied your proposal and the industry where it belongs in order for you to be able to answer questions that capitalists and managers may ask.

Granting that you've submitted a good proposal and was given the 1:400 shot at landing a deal, you have now completed the first stage of the cycle. The next stage is in the investment of such funds.

During presentation, you will be required to present a management team. It is important that this team be composed of competent people who are knowledgeable of the field or industry that you propose to enter. Aside from your own management team, the firm shall appoint managers to help, even impose, policies and decisions in the company. Since these firms have high stakes in the company's success, it is only logical that they interfere with the decision-making process and in effect, have more control over the company than its owner.

During exit, the funds are liquidated and returned to the investors. This usually happens within 3-5 years, even sooner, if the return of investment is very high. An exit may take different forms, such as merger and acquisition, buyout and initial public offering or IPO. While others may have succeeded in earning more than 500% of their initial investment, there are likewise others who failed. Also, a big chunk of the funds goes to the expenses of the firm, such as management fees, consultation fees, and other fees.

Understanding venture capital cycle will make you better, more efficient entrepreneurs. That is why it is important to do some research, read articles, even enroll in a venture capital course. Furthermore, investigate on the trends of the industry that you want to enter into.

No entrepreneur became successful just by mere luck or chance. Any entrepreneur will tell you that you need to study and understand what you're doing in order for you to be successful.

S.Matrai