| Have you ever wondered how some companies find | | | | seminars are great vehicles for venture capital |
| funding while others, possibly yours, barely hold their | | | | relationship building. Attorneys, consultants, business |
| head above water? Often, the key to success during | | | | brokers and accountants also offer contacts with |
| the delicate start-up years is having the right amount | | | | venture capitalists. When seeking funding, |
| of capital to launch development and marketing | | | | relationships are key and competition is high. First, |
| efforts. Once a company's well established, funding | | | | identify a small number of companies or individuals |
| can support even stronger growth and expansion | | | | holding similar goals to your company's. Make sure |
| initiatives. Venture capital acquisition can help. Venture | | | | you agree when it comes to business growth, |
| capital is funding provided to budding new, fast-track | | | | geographic positioning and investment scope. |
| companies by other professional investors. | | | | Venture capital assessment demands a great deal of |
| Venture capitalists review several companies, | | | | time and energy, from presenting a well-developed |
| choosing just a few to invest in based on | | | | business plan and executive summary, to educating |
| management credibility, long-term growth potential | | | | your investors about your goals, budget, industry and |
| and business integrity, among other things. These | | | | growth potential. Remember to communicate with |
| venture capitalists may use funds from high net | | | | your contacts on a regular basis, nurturing the |
| worth individuals, foundations, corporations, pension | | | | relationship and keeping them informed of progress |
| funds or their own personal capital equity to help | | | | and news. Above all, stay optimistic, learn from your |
| support the success of new business ventures. Their | | | | mistakes and adapt your strategy. |
| various investments in start-up companies collectively | | | | The following organizations can provide a wealth of |
| represent an investment portfolio, thus reducing | | | | information for those researching venture capital |
| overall risk. These investors focus on acquiring a high | | | | avenues and sources: |
| rate of return in a five to seven year period. | | | | - The National Venture Capital Association, |
| While many venture capitalists are generalists, or | | | | - The Center for Venture Education, |
| supply funding alone to a broad range of specialized | | | | kauffmanfellows.org |
| sectors, others offering expertise in one or more | | | | - Emerging Markets Private Equity Association, |
| key roles within the company. Seed investing refers | | | | empea.net |
| to funding provided before a real product or business | | | | - Venture Capital Task Force, - Private Equity Central, |
| is even created, or when a company is at the very | | | | privateequitycentral.net |
| early, ground-floor development stages. | | | | - Wall Street Journal's Start-up Journal, |
| Venture capital sponsored fairs, panel discussions and | | | | startupjournal.com/partners/kennedy. |