Startup Capital
How to Quickly Raise Seed Capital
Entrepreneurship is like a 25-level computer game. If all that you can think of when it comes to startup financing is “write a business plan and shop it around to strangers,” you’re stuck at the bottom level. There are 24 more levels above you.
Savvy entrepreneurs know how to create startup funding using various tactics. One of the classics entails using what is called “mobilization capital” obtained from the startup’s own customers. In a nutshell, you get your prospective customers or clients to supply you with the capital required for you to then deliver your product or service.
Here’s a story of a how an educational startup funded its launch using this tactic: Continue reading
How many companies chasing outside capital actually raise any?
To me this is one of the most fascinating questions you can ask about startup financing. The figure I have been hearing regularly over the past 25 years is that venture capitalists invest in about one in ever 500 companies that approach them for funding. It should be added that venture capitalists rarely invest in startups. They prefer later stage companies which have proven themselves in the market place.
The success rate for startups chasing angel investors is even more difficult to dig up. My best estimate is that with credible ventures the odds could be as good as one in 200 to as low as one in 400. I admit that I’m pulling numbers out of the air here but this estimate is also based on 25 years of experience with startups. Continue reading
How to fund your startup
Okay, here we go, world. I am launching a new on-site blog on startup capital. My focus is shifting here from the old typepad blog at Startup Capital. I finally decided to switch to WordPress after years of procrastination and have have thoroughly enjoyed tinkering with it. Now that I have finally mastered the basic, I have decided to go live. Going live will provide the motivation to write on a regular schedule.
So stay tuned for topic relating to funding startups and more.
