Questions related to receiving capital from external sources.
9
votes
18answers
2k views
Didn't finish grade 12, currently unemployed, but have a great idea for a startup: Where to start?
I think I have an awesome idea for a web startup, but I'm not sure if I have a chance because I'm not a web developer, am currently unemployed, and can't afford to hire anyone to develop my idea (I ...
3
votes
2answers
185 views
Where to find mentors/advisors for garage stage startup company?
I have an idea related to healthcare communications and am trying to find mentors/advisors who would be willing to guide my partner and I towards success. I live in Silicon Valley.
I was wondering ...
0
votes
2answers
247 views
Age of founder > brick wall (in front of?) angel investors/vc's
Legally speaking it isn't a problem that i'm seventeen years old, in my country it is allowed to start a business at 16+. A cantonal judge removed some other boundaries so that I'm now fully ...
0
votes
2answers
95 views
What to offer to advisers / endorsers to make them interested?
The question is about how attract and what to offer to people who you want to be behind your start-up? It's easier with developers and other positions where you can translate their hours to pay at a ...
0
votes
1answer
183 views
What to include in our funding requirements?
We're a small group of IT students and recently we came up with an idea that we're going to pitch with business plan in an event hoping to get feedback and funding from investors. (Ok, I read that ...
1
vote
3answers
262 views
Questions about capitalization
We have created a product which to date has been privately funded. From conceptual to working prototype with more success than expected. It is a B2B product and industry insiders see legitimacy and ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
What rights do I have as a founder of a startup? What happens if I do not accept the VCs terms?
I am a founder of a startup with 10% shares.
We are in the stage of Series A financing.
The valuation of the VC is pretty low according to me.
Also the option pool that VC is demanding from us (common ...
1
vote
2answers
64 views
Funding Cash, Who should contribute to the company's assets?
So let's say we have company ACME.
ACME has 2 people:
John - Founder ( %70 Equity )
Dan - Sales ( %30 Equity )
An investor came up and invested $100k and demands %20 of shares.
Question Time:
...
4
votes
2answers
651 views
What does a seed money deal look like?
I have a personal contact that has shown interest in giving me seed money for a start-up. I am getting my package together to pitch the concept, and have virtually no idea what the investment deal ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Looking for startup grants in the UK
I'm looking for grants and funding I may be eligible for in Wales, United Kingdom.
I'm running a web development startup, and I'm after any sort of starting capital.
Preferably a free grant with no ...
0
votes
2answers
589 views
What do investors look for in a SaaS startup's development plan?
Foreword: Assume that a working MVP prototype with traction exists for the startup.
As of right now, we have a software development plan covering:
Milestone Title;
Est. Development Time;
...
1
vote
1answer
175 views
Example of new shares issued for investment and options pool in one round?
Please check my thinking.
Right now, founders own 100% of 1000 shares.
We're willing to sell 30% of the company to outside investors.
We want to set aside another 10% for an employee options pool.
...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
What happens when I issue shares and nobody buys them?
After launching the prototype and getting some pretty exciting customer feedback over the last six weeks, we want to raise a little investment money.
We're talking with several organizations so far. ...
8
votes
2answers
303 views
How and When to Raise Funds For Your Company
Funding your company is an important part of your startup and expansion strategy. It's a broad topic that has a lot of aspects including: keeping your idea secret, seed funding, angels, venture ...
3
votes
4answers
397 views
My startup is in “concept” stage. Where should I go from here?
I just found OnStartups and I'm looking forward to sharing
insights with you guys. My startup is currently in "concept" stage, and
I was wondering where to begin my journey. I have a great idea, ...
4
votes
1answer
328 views
What are some resources to watch example pitches?
I like to learn by example so I am trying to find sites that are putting recorded pitches up online.
Examples would be:
Shark Tank on Jason Calacanis's This Week in Startups - ...
1
vote
3answers
91 views
How important is a budget when seeking early stage investment?
Once we launch our product, we intended to raise our first round of funding. The preparation has already started, including the budget. I feel that the budget should be highly detailed, realistic ...
-1
votes
1answer
103 views
In the dark on how to get started? [closed]
First let me inform you: I am new to this type of enterprise and in a sense I am looking for all the help that I can get so that I will have a general idea where to start. I have a drawn out plan for ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
What to focus on when pitching, product or underlying platform?
I'm working on launching a startup based on a new computing platform developed by my co-founders. The platform itself is very powerful and flexible, and we envision it being used as a foundation for ...
3
votes
1answer
238 views
What does “warrants for the equity kicker” mean?
I was reading an article in a VC's blog and I found this explanation about venture debt:
"The terms are usually three years, interest only, balloon payment, with warrants for the equity kicker."
Can ...
0
votes
2answers
54 views
Should one join local pitch programme, which will be aired on national TV?
It's something new. There is this reality tv show coming up, for candidates to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, then get funded. The whole process will be aired in national TV several months ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
Why do startups need so much money?
What are startups raising millions of dollars for? I know running a website can get costly, but seriously, millions? I just don't get it. And if you say advertising, I still don't get it, because the ...
3
votes
2answers
223 views
What do you do when your Angel turns out to be a Devil?
Investor are in it for one thing, profit. That's okay if both the founders and the investors profit. What do you do when the "Angels" who have been funding your work kick out the founders and the ...
1
vote
2answers
176 views
Getting Funding for a Tech Startup in Florida
I'm well aware of the vast sums of VC money in the Bay Area, Seattle, and even Boston. I'm located in the Tampa, FL area and am starting my business here. I'm willing to move the business after a ...
5
votes
2answers
217 views
How long to wait for investing?
I'm the tech guy and doing a lot of technical development for the startup.
How long does one wait around for the business people to get funding from VC's and Angels? is there a ballpark of how long a ...
2
votes
2answers
281 views
What are the funding “rounds” equity tradeoffs for most startups?
Searching and reading about funding, I see a lot of people referring to different rounds of funding (related to a given stage the startup is at). Still, I can only find limited information on the ...
2
votes
2answers
233 views
How do I get funding for my app
I am looking for help with start-up for my idea. I have an idea for an app but can't seem to find out how to get funding, without losing at least 75% equity.
Any ideas welcome.
3
votes
10answers
589 views
We've launched, are bootstrapped and have a few thousand $s for marketing, advice?
As requested, here is more information.
Our startup is PubliciTweet. We're like a Constant Contact for Twitter. While in public beta the service is completely free. We are most interested in ...
1
vote
1answer
317 views
How to share the profit in a LLP company?
After successfully building an online business as sole proprietor, I decided register my company as Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) company. Now we are two partners. How will we share the profit ...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
When does the Series A round kicks in?
We are preparing a business plan for our next startup and this time we are planning to raise seed funds of $300K for 12 months with a milestone. We will enter the private BETA program for a group of ...
5
votes
3answers
388 views
Evaluate an offer for a startup advisor
My co-founders and I just began searching for $1.5-2M of funding. We met with someone who has many contacts and friends who are angels or VCs.
After meeting with us, he surprised us by offering to:
...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Beta Download as Achievement?
I just wondering, whether anyone agree if I say that software (beta/prototype version) download number as an achievement for a software product, especially in startup stage.
I know it is not a real ...
5
votes
3answers
304 views
Getting VC funding but one partner doesn't want to dedicate full-time
I would really appreciate your guidance and advice. Great community.
I am a co-founder of a two year old start-up that is finally getting proper VC funding ($1MM injection). Currently, the founders ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views
At a crossroads-Whether to launch or seek more time/funding for more development
I have spent considerable resources on the development of a networking/eCommerce site and have since changed my focus on the core idea for the business to the extent that the website is not 100% what ...
3
votes
2answers
269 views
Evaluating a “Promise” from a startup company for pay raise, benefits, stock options within a specified period of time?
I would appreciate any advice based on a current situation that I am in that I think a lot of people involved in startups (especially developers) find themselves in at some point.
Basically, I'm in a ...
3
votes
3answers
74 views
When pitching to potentials investors, should I let them come to me with offers individually or have a set price?
I am about to put together a investor presentation for my company. I will be presenting to investors individually.The investors are going to be pitched to within a short amount of time.
Should I be ...
3
votes
5answers
302 views
Starting New School Revenue Streams
Hey guys, it's me again. As was to be expected, I've run into funding problems with Idea School.
The quality teachers I'm looking for are worth about $50-60K per year. Now, of course, they ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
How much VC equity stake for a product that is fully built for a mid-stage start-up company?
So I have a site that will accept subscriptions the first quarter of 2011. I have been developing this product over the past year and it is almost complete. I would like to use the VC money to help ...
3
votes
2answers
187 views
Unemployed but with ideas burning a hole in my brain. Where to?
(Incoming wall of text)
I'm a 27-year-old recent college (under)graduate (computer science) who's currently unemployed and having a heck of a time finding a job. I have what I believe is a decent ...
5
votes
2answers
111 views
Business plan with failure scenarios
I am helping a friend with some short to medium term scenarios/ projections for a business plan. I worked out some failure scenarios as in if the business folds in 6 months we will be able to salvage ...
11
votes
5answers
260 views
Can a startup with little expenses really benefit from investors?
My Royalty Free Music business model is designed to have zero expenses other than keeping my domain name up every year. The 'fuel' to my company is musicians' old recordings which I create new music ...
0
votes
2answers
587 views
Burned out. Should we sell our SaaS business or find second round investment?
Hey my name is Chris and my wife and I started a web application in Brazil over 3 years ago.
As most of the individuals in this community understand the difficulties of starting a business(These ...
1
vote
2answers
110 views
Approached by investors from overseas
What types of things do I need to consider if I get approached from a venture fund overseas? I had an early-stage venture fund from Germany contact me looking to learn more about our startup and what ...
7
votes
8answers
1k views
Raising angel money as debt note or equity?
When raising seed investment from angels or family/friends, when is it best to raise it as a convertible debt note and when is it better to sell equity?
1
vote
2answers
139 views
Reputable Angel Investment Sites or Resources? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Looking for a list of angel investors?
I have been starting the preliminary backside coding to a new web project that I am starting. I have seed money that I am using ...
3
votes
1answer
197 views
Plain english translation of these finance terms
What does these mean in plain English, guessing the best way to describe it is by giving theoretical numbers for best worst case instances, though that's just my thought - I'll leave it up to you to ...
6
votes
1answer
190 views
Equity and compensation for boot strapped venture
I have been approached by a friend to help with the business side of a venture that he has developed/bootstrapped. No external funding until now. He has developed a working product with outsourced and ...
5
votes
5answers
446 views
What to do next for my online startup?
Ok so I've left my job, I've got a business plan, I have a blue ocean idea, I've spoken to a few industry people about the idea and they think its a good idea. I have a designed and paid a programmer ...
4
votes
2answers
109 views
Finding available grants for businesses in Canada
What is a good resource for grants available to business in Canada?
Startups are preferable due to the nature of this site, but any would do. Outside of waiting until their announced in the paper, my ...
5
votes
4answers
194 views
Do I have to be physically present in SF to attract investors?
I have been reading articles by Paul Graham on start ups and am currently in the process of deciding where to incorporate. What baffles me is that most tech startups move to SF early on when the ...
