funding for technology startups (ed french)

Winning Venture Capital

Ignite Leeds 2009

Edward French, 22nd January 2009

• Ed French, Investment Director, Enterprise Ventures

• Team specialising in backing early-stage companies and

teams

• Done around 40 technology investments~ half software

• £40m under management in technology funds

• Deals from £50k-£2m

What is Venture Capital?

• VC provides capital for a share of the business (usually 25-50%)

• VC joins the team and helps

• Everyone makes money ... OR .. Not

– Some businesses fail

– Some businesses survive but don’t make money

– A few businesses pay back all the capital

When should you start talking to a VC?

“Early” “Well prepared”

Why might my business be rejected?

Too similar to other

products/services

Too much

(technology/market)

risk

Opportunity too small

How much money should you ask for?

The least that will

work

What you need and a

tiny bit more

Aim higher than you

need

VC’s like to back companies with no competitors?

How long might it take?

3 months 6 months 12 months

Conclusion...

9

10

Contact Details

Edward French

Email Edward.french@enterprise-ventures.co.uk

Phone 07966 347407

Yuuguu ID edwardmfrench@gmail.com

Website www.rsgf.co.uk

Blog techgain.net