funding for technology startups (ed french)
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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 [email protected]
Phone 07966 347407
Yuuguu ID [email protected]
Website www.rsgf.co.uk
Blog techgain.net