Let's be honest, a great business plan alone is not sufficient for you to land a deal but it sure helps! For a start-up that is going through the fund raising process the first impression of the company is often conveyed by the business plan. So how do you as an entrepreneur make sure that your business plan makes it past the first screen?
"I want to retain more than 50% of my company so that I and not the investor has control." - This is a common sentiment that I hear from many entrepreneurs. The classic mistake being made here is that the entrepreneur equates share ownership to control. At the time of negotiation, this sentiment boils down to a single number - Valuation! Entrepreneurs end up fighting for this magic number like a lioness protecting her cub and as a result I have seen deals die early on at the negotiating table.
Need Tools for Your Startup?
Need tools for your startup? Tonight at the Microsoft BizSpark Event Tech Ranch Austin will be announcing that our posse has been selected as a Microsoft BizSpark Partner. Through the Tech Ranch technology startup entrepreneurs will be able to get access to Microsoft's full line of products for free. There is an application process- in order to be selected, you will need to establish:
Join the Tech Ranch Partner Network.
Tech Ranch invites value added service providers from the Central Texas community to join the Tech Ranch partner network. The Tech Ranch incubator works with some of the most exciting technology start-ups in America.
BRAINS BOTS AND BODIES
The Emerging Technology workshop at The Singularity Summit was a blast to host. We had a standing room only crowd of 150+, and I had the opportunity to present to and meet tons of interesting people. Thanks to everyone who presented and attended for an awesome day for SciVestor!
I presented the following preso at the morning keynote. Props to ethos 3 for their excellent graphical enhancements.
