Paranormal | Dept. of North American Phenomena:
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Help for Startups! - A semi-complete list of startup accelerator programs
This is a post I’ve had a running draft of for some time. I’m happy to be getting it out of my draft bin and out onto the web! Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital spoke at DreamIt Ventures this summer. During his talk, Josh mentioned how he expects to see an increasing number of Drea
via blog.shedd.us
Jg
Friday, October 21, 2011
$$$$ Ready !!!!!!!!!!!
--> TECH VIDEOSArizona Business & Money
Venture-capital funding pours in
2011 becoming very good year for Arizona, report says
by Betty Beard - Oct. 21, 2011 08:39 AM
The Arizona RepublicThis year is shaping up to be the best for venture-capital funding in Arizona in four years, according to one of two major reports tracking this.
Arizona companies have attracted $226 million in the first three quarters, compared with only $75 million awarded in all of 2010, said Andy Coumides, a Phoenix-based partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which prepares a quarterly MoneyTree report in conjunction with the Venture Capital Association, based on data provided by Thomson Reuters.
The third quarter drew only four deals worth $6.7 million, but he said that is not unusual because the first two quarters were so productive.
What is significant, he said, is that in the first three quarters, seed money invested in startups and young companies has already exceeded the amounts given in each of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
"It's already a given that it's going to be a very good year and a very strong year for Arizona, even if nothing comes in the fourth quarter," Coumides said.
A separate Dow Jones VentureSource report also shows Arizona companies attracting more investments this year than last year, so far. The companies have different methods of compiling their data.
The Dow Jones report indicates that Arizona firms received $155 million in the first nine months, compared with only $66 million in the first three quarters of 2010.
In the third quarter, five companies landed $89 million, according to Dow Jones.
Kevin McHolland, a partner with Ernst & Young LLP in Phoenix who works with venture-funded companies, said Arizona companies continue to struggle to get venture capital because several years ago the funders began awarding their money closer to home. And Arizona doesn't have a robust capital-investment environment, he said.
Or companies may find it easier to get money for their early stages, such as when products or services are still in the concept stage but struggle to secure funds for later phases.
Not all venture-capital recipients are willing to be identified.
The largest third-quarter recipient, according to the VentureSource report, is AFS Technologies, with $86 million. The Phoenix company provides business automation software for the food and beverage industry.
Three other companies that received funds in the third quarter, according to the MoneyTree report, are:
Southwest Windpower Inc., $2.3 million. This Flagstaff-based company designs, manufactures and distributes small wind systems.
Dicom Grid Inc., $1.4 million. The Phoenix-based company offers Internet-based digital medical imaging that allows medical facilities and physicians to archive, search, exchange, share and act on the data.
Flypaper Studio Inc., $200,000. Also based in Phoenix, this software developer created Flypaper, a product that lets programmers and others create, edit, share, track and reuse Flash and video content.
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Help for Startups! - A semi-complete list of startup accelerator programs
This is a post I’ve had a running draft of for some time. I’m happy to be getting it out of my draft bin and out onto the web! Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital spoke at DreamIt Ventures this summer. During his talk, Josh mentioned how he expects to see an increasing number of Drea
via blog.shedd.us
Jg
Innov8Social - Exploring Social Innovation: 3 Ways Investors Fund Social Entrepreneur Startups...
Innov8Social - Exploring Social Innovation: 3 Ways Investors Fund Social Entrepreneur Startups...: At the Green Startup Legal Discussion on Day 2 of the San Jose Green Business Academy , the attorney panelists covered important legal issue...
Innov8Social - Exploring Social Innovation: Start-Up Accelerator and Incubator Programs for So...
Innov8Social - Exploring Social Innovation: Start-Up Accelerator and Incubator Programs for So...: With the success of Y Combinator there has been a steady rise in the number of accelerator programs available for start-up entrepreneurs. S...
Cop’s business plan a winner - Beloit Daily News: News: rock county 5.0, rock county, beloit, janesville, spanish in your job, llc.
Cop’s business plan a winner - Beloit Daily News: News: rock county 5.0, rock county, beloit, janesville, spanish in your job, llc.: Learning Spanish may be one of the best things Janesville Police
Officer Chad Sullivan has ever done.
Officer Chad Sullivan has ever done.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Business Angel Funding
All business angels are wealthy individuals looking to invest around 10% of their wealth in high risk and high growth early stage companies which they think can give them at least a ten times return on their investment over three to seven years. Many business angels are looking to get actively involved in the companies in which they invest and this means that they typically prefer local investments and investments that they understand, often on account of their own inside knowledge in the relevant business sector. The average size of an angel investment is £42,000 per investor and the average percentage stake acquired is 8%. Though on occasion a business angel will invest alone or invest more than £100,000 in a business. There is an even 50:50 split between angel investments in revenue generating businesses and pre-revenue businesses, though recent surveys suggest the average may be moving in favour of revenue generating companies. The average age of a business angel is 53 years old and 93% of business angels are male. To learn about the important issues in angel funding click here.
Most business angels do not have the time or resources to follow the many thousands of investment opportunities that arise each year. Accordingly, they typically prefer to have someone filter the deals for them allowing them and only to look at recommended deals. Common filters include other business angels, lawyers and accountants, but the most common are the business angel networks. A business angel network is a collection of angels arranged around one or more investment managers whose job it is to source investable deals. The networks all work in very different ways, though most are financed by charges on the businesses raising finance ranging from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds plus an equity strip and options.
If you are looking for angel investment you can directly approach investors, assuming you have or can acquire their contact details. However, the way you approach an investor is crucial. A direct approach in breach of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 is a criminal offence. Click here to download an article explaining this in further detail.
As many business angels avoid giving out their contact details, the most common way to contact business angels is through an investment network. A non-exhaustive directory of such networks along with some well known early stage angel investment companies is set out below:
There is stiff competition in the market to attract angel investment, however, by understanding the key issues you can significantly increase the chance of securing the investment you require. The key issues are:
Knowing who to approach Where you know a number of potential investors you should concentrate on those looking to invest in your sector. In practice it is rare to know the preferences of your investor before making initial contact. Knowing when to make an approach You can only make a first impression once and you should not approach an investor for investment (as opposed to advice) until you are ready. A high degree of investor readiness will ensure you achieve a high valuation and so have to sell fewer shares to raise the same amount of investment. Click here to download business angel funding expert, Paul Grant's guide to assessing your investment readiness. Qualifying for EIS Relief 57% of all successful investments have pre-qualified for Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Relief and 80% of investors actively seek EIS Relief. Click here to download our article on EIS Relief and how to secure it. Protecting confidential information passed to potential investors One of the most valuable assets for a growth stage company is its confidential information. In the course of seeking investment you may have to share it with 20 or more investors, some of whom might in reality be your competitors. You should protect your business and its information. Click here to download this article to find out how. Knowing how to convert investor interest into secure investment On average, 90% of advanced discussions with investors end with the investor terminating the discussions and not investing. The most common reason for this is that the business fails investor due diligence. Click here to download an article on surviving investor due diligence. Doing a deal with investors on acceptable terms The terms of a deal with your investors will probably regulate the way your business works for the next five years. Investors will on average negotiate 40 such deals during the time they are actively investing and will accordingly be adept at securing advantageous terms. To learn more about the key legal issues and terms click here and download our article.
Jg
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Untitled
Raising Capital: 3 Company Examples
I personally know of three company founders who are in the process of raising equity capital for their respective businesses. Two of these companies are revenue generating yet are still very much in the start-up stage. The first (Company A) is a clothing wholesaler serving a niche market with US-based manufacturing and eco-friendly positioning. Another (Company B) is a convenient health food product company which now has a presence in some Whole Food stores. The third company (Company C) is a much larger entity in the stable growth phase.
Since the first two companies are still considered "startups", they are seeking angel capital. Company A has raised $1.5 million from a large number of small angels and one larger investor. Company B has raised ~$100,000 in angel investment but has largely adopted a bootstrapping strategy. Company C, which has largely self-funded growth through operating cash flow, is now seeking a strategic investor, private equity or mezzanine financing.
Whenever business owners or founders tell me they need to raise capital, I ask them, "Why?". "What do you need the money for? What will you do with the money you raise and when will you do this?" I ask business owners these questions to get them to separate the money they need from the source. Too often people get tunnel vision. Separating the source of the funds from the use of the funds helps spark creativity and identification of additional or more targeted capital sources.
Company A now seeks either a large angel investor with strategic ties and contacts in its industry or a strategic investment from one of the larger companies in its industry. Why? Company A wants to increase its distribution channels, raise its industry profile and eventually become the eco-friendly go-to wholesaler in its niche...before other eco-friendly competitors with a US manufacturing base enter the fray.
Company B has relied on their strong banking relationship to obtain a lot more debt than the average startup would typically have access to. It also helps that two of the co-founders successfully sold another company a few years ago. Although the founders are willing to shoulder huge financial risk, they realize they do need some additional equity capital to shore up the balance sheet, so they are seeking a few committed angel investors willing to also put in some sweat equity to ensure their investment is a success. The founders have utilized creative financing, getting friends and business associates to provide services, products and introductions that enable Company B to conserve cash. For example, they are negotiating with a public relations firm to help them get noticed by the companies and individuals they are pursuing and are considering hiring college PR interns.
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Jg
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Untitled
This year's crop of Ottawa firms looking for funding include a mobile gaming firm, a semiconductor company and a biodiesel technology producer.
This year's Banff Venture Forum comes as local venture capital funding sits at its lowest level in more than a decade. Only $31 million has been invested locally this year, down from $229 million in 2006, according to numbers compiled by Thomson Reuters VC Reporter and cited by OCRI.
That's a drop of more than 86 per cent over a time period when national numbers only fell 45 per cent.
Comparatively, Toronto and Montreal have seen decreases of only $11 million and $17 million, respectively, during the same time period.
"Getting financing to take your company to a larger scale is a challenge in today's environment," said Jack Hunt, CEO of Netcelerate Corp., one of the companies attending the forum.
"It's a challenge particularly in Canada, I think less so in the United States."
Netcelerate is hoping to find one or two investors to provide a total investment of $5 million for its next financing round, expected to be in the next 18 to 24 months.
"It gives us the chance to, in a really efficient way, get in front of venture capitalists and other investors from all over North America, instead of going on the road and trying to knock on their door," said Mr. Hunt.
He said expecting to walk away from the forum with cash in hand would be naive, but that he hopes to establish relationships with venture capitalists.
The Banff Forum is one of the largest venture capital events in Canada, with 47 IT, life sciences and clean-tech companies from Canada and the U.S. making presentations.
Michelle Scarborough, managing director of OCRI's Regional Innovation Centre, says investors look at whether a management team can execute an idea and commercialize it, the scope and size of the company's market, competitors and customers, as well as the company's competitive advantage and projected sales.
Ms. Scarborough said investors at the Banff Forum range from early-stage VCs and angel investors that are interested in startupslooking for seed funding, to late-stage venture capital firms with interest in established companies looking for equity-related growth capital.
While startups can still tap into a local pool of angel investors, later-stage companies are forced to go outside the nation's capital, she says.
"Companies that are in the growth stage, that are looking for larger amounts of money, are still going south of the border for that capital and access to people," Ms. Scarborough said, noting that large venture capital firms do not generally have a presence in Ottawa.
Ottawa's advantage is in its innovative entrepreneurs that are developing marketable ideas, she said.
"If (entrepreneurs) continue to stay the course, they will get financed appropriately, and they will be able to make a stand in their market."
Local lineup
Eight of the 47 companies presenting at the Banff Venture Forum are from the National Capital Region. The presentations will be divided into three different industry streams: information technology, life sciences and energy.
The companies are:
Avivagen Animal Health Inc.: Producer of natural products for animals, which have been clinically tested and are used as an alternative to traditional treatments.
BioDiesel Reactor (BDR) Technologies Inc.: Commercializing a proprietary membrane reactor system that produces high-quality biodiesel at a lower cost.
CogniVue Corp.: Fabless semiconductor company specializing in the development of system-on-chip products. The company develops cameras used in vehicles to detect collisions.
CubeWerx Inc.: Develops, markets and sells web services and spatial warehousing software products.
GlitchSoft Corp.: Publisher of games for iOS devices, with plans to expand to the Android platform. It has also developed a virtual marketplace where consumers are able to purchase content elements for its games.
Martello Technologies: Markets a service solution product called MarWatch, which monitors and identifies network problems. The product helps limit the downtime for voice-over-Internet protocol phone systems and maximizes the quality of each call.
Netcelerate Corp.: Provides business phone systems, voice and data services, mobile solutions and business communications using cloud-based infrastructure.
Teldio Corp.: Markets two-way radio solutions to enterprise customers in the utility, education, manufacturing and hospitality industries.
via obj.ca
Jg
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Untitled
This event sells out quickly so it is important that you pre-register. Thank you!
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Venture Startup and Financing SIG: A Night with Lightspeed Venture PartnersPresentation and Pitch Session:
Come listen and pitch to Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Lightspeed is a leading global venture capital firm that manages over $2 billion of capital commitments. The firm closed Lightspeed VIII, an $800 million fund, in early 2008. Over the past two decades, their investment professionals have backed more than 150 companies, many of which have gone on to become leaders in their respective industries. The team invests in the U.S. and internationally, with investment professionals and advisors located in Silicon Valley, China, India, and Israel.
Learn about Lightspeed’s perspective as to what is they are interested in, what they are investing in and how they operate. We will also talk about their approach to working with companies, how they get their members involved and how they are different from other venture capital firms. We will discuss some of the common traits of those companies selected to present to their partnership and those which ultimately were funded.
We will select up to 8 ventures to do 3-minute pitches followed by 3 minutes of feedback.
Note: If you are interested in presenting, please send your executive summary (no more than 2 pages) to John Lee, Co-Chair of the Venture Startup and Financing SIG, at jclee@svb.com no later than Tuesday, October 11. COMPANIES THAT WANT TO PRESENT MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE WE REACH OUR LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES.
Speaker:
Arif Janmohamed, Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Arif joined Lightspeed in 2008 and focuses primarily on investments in the areas of infrastructure, communications, networking, and software.Prior to joining Lightspeed, Arif worked in the Corporate Business Development group at Cisco where he focused on opportunities in the unified communications and SaaS market. Before joining Cisco Systems, he was with Novitas Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm.
Earlier in his career, Arif worked in technical development and product management roles at WebTV (acquired by MSFT), Andes Networks (acquired by SUNW), and Sun Microsystems.
Arif holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a BSc in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada.
Moderator:
John Lee, Director, Entrepreneur Services Group, Silicon Valley BankJohn Lee is a director in SVB's Entrepreneur Services Group. Lee establishes banking relationships with early stage technology companies. Lee also assists early and mid-stage technology companies with raising capital through review and feedback on investment materials and targeted introductions to venture capital firms and other investors. In addition, Lee provides relevant market insights and connections to strategic partners. Lee focuses on the enterprise and infrastructure software and hardware sectors, including cloud computing and SaaS, data management and storage, security, semiconductors, mobile and consumer electronic devices, data centers and broadband networks.
Lee holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Location:
Silicon Valley Bank
2400 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Agenda:
6:30 - 7:00 pm Registration and Networking
7:00 - 8:30 pm PresentationCost:
$35 for non-SVForum members
$20.00 for SVForum membersNote: There is an additional $10.00 charge at the door - if not pre-registered.
Seating is limited! It is very important to pre-register for this event. It does sell-out and we may need to turn people away. Please note: Because of Paypal's new policies, we can no longer accept American Express cards at the door.
via svforum.org
Jg
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
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