The Money Chase has been the death of many good companies. There are a range of reasons why this is so. Some companies simply do not deserve funding - they are not an attractive investment opportunity. Others embark on the money chase too early. They haven't established the business base to justify funding. Still others are run by people who seem to like the money chase better than running the business. All of these reasons and more make embarking on the search for venture funding a perilous business which risks your company and all it may become. This volume is divided into two parts. The first is focused on Angel Investors. These tend to be early-stage investors of high net worth who are investing their own funds. The second part is focused on venture capitalists. These are individuals who generally invest in later stage companies and who are investing funds raised from institutional sources. My purpose in writing this book is to give you some sense of how to approach these two types of investors. I've tried to give you some insight into how they think and how they analyze opportunities for investment. It is my hope that you will come away from reading this book with a better understanding of how to approach investors, how to present to them and how to establish productive relationships with them after they have funded your company.
About the Author: I am a serial entrepreneur, political and social theorist, published author and speaker. A veteran of Wall Street, I have served as CEO/Senior Partner for all of the companies which I founded. My experience includes designing and organizing companies, business/technology management, team building, strategic alliances, negotiating complex arrangements, governance & compliance, resourcing & financing, mergers & acquisitions, management/team/board assessment, coaching and strategic and tactical planning and implementation. I serve on boards of directors and advisory boards, as well as in interim senior management positions. Dr. Smith's expertise includes innovation, governance, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, team building, strategic planning, turnarounds and reorganization. I have been mentoring senior executives and corporations for more than two decades. I got into mentoring after a successful career as a recidivist entrepreneur. I founded and built six companies. The experience of building those businesses brought many good times but I have recently been thinking about all those clients I mentored and the successes that they have had. Some of my fondest memories have resulted from those mentoring engagements. Over the years, I have provided executive mentoring, leadership guidance, organizational support, team and life mentoring. Each is different but the focus has always been the same - working to help my clients unlock their potential and enjoy successes that they never thought possible. I provide mentoring to those who have both the courage and determination to make a truly transformational journey. My approach is heavily influenced by core principles of Zen Buddhism. I don't offer quick fixes or follow the latest fads. If you are willing to make the long journey - if it's time for you to come to know the person you really are and can become - if you intend to finally find the path you should be following - if you want to start living life you were truly meant to live - then perhaps we should talk. Send me an e-mail and we'll arrange a time to chat. DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com