Steps to Growth Capital

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Site Index

• Steps to Growth Capital Self-Study Guide
• Investor-Readiness Skills
• New Tech Case Story
• Fast Track to Growth Capital
• Readiness Assessment
• Resources

Steps to Growth Capital Self-Study Guide

Overview

• Getting Started
• What Is Growth Capital?
• Are You the Kind of Company Investor Want?
• Steps You Should Take
• How to Use This Guide

Step 1 - Identify Your Financial Needs

• Introduction
• Develop Your Business Plan
• Analyse Your Current Financial Situation
• Forecast Your Financial Needs
• Determine Working Capital Requirements
• Determine Fixed Assets and Other Costs
• Test Your Projections
• Action Items

Step 2 - Know Your Financing Options

• Introduction
• Understand Conventional and Risk Financing
• Know Your Options
• The Pros and Cons
• Explore Capital Structures
• Choose the Right Capital Mix
• Consider the Entrepreneur and Investor
• Action Items

Step 3 - Show Your Investment Potential

• Introduction
• What Investors Want
• Prove Your Potential for Growth
• Analyse Your Company
• Analyse the Business Environment
• Put a Price Tag on Your Business
• Discounted Cash Flow Value
• Calculating Discounted Cash Flow
• Exit Strategies and Exit Values
• Action Items

Step 4 - Demonstrate Your Management Capabilities

• Introduction
• What Investors Look For
• Describe Your Track Record
• Prepare Report Cards for Investors
• Access Your Managers' Abilities
• Strengthen Your Management Team
• Determine Your Competitive Advantage
• Action Items

Step 5 - Build an Investment Proposal

• Introduction
• Why the Investment Proposal Is Important
• How to Get the Investors' Attention
• Why the Executive Summary Is Important
• What Should be in the Proposal
• How to Build a Winning Proposal
• What Legal and Regulatory Issues to Consider
• Action Items

Step 6 - Identify Potential Investors

• Introduction
• Decide Which Investors to Target
• What Type of Investor? What Type of Investment?
• Founders and Angels
• Corporate and Institutional Investors
• How to Look for Investors
• Where to Find Investors on the Web
• Match Investors' Criteria
• Assess Other Attributes
• Action Items

Step 7 - Meet Potential Investors

• Introduction
• Reach Out to Investors
• Plan for the First Meeting
• Make It a Two-Way Meeting
• Use the Meeting and Presentation Planner
• Manage the Meeting Like a Pro
• Understand the Due Diligence Review
• Action Items

Step 8 - Negotiate the Deal

• Introduction
• Be Prepared to Negotiate
• What's on the Table
• Arriving at a Price
• A Sample Term Sheet
• How to Handle a Negotiation Session
• Understanding the Shareholder Agreement
• Action Items

Step 9 - Close the Deal

• Introduction
• Take a Good Look at the Deal
• Scrutinize Legal and Other Obligations
• Prepare for Due Diligence
• Conduct Your Review of the Investor
• Build Good Relations With Investors
• Action Items

Investor-Readiness Skills

Module 1 - Enhance Your Writing

• Introduction
• Write for the Investor
• Remember the Main Features of Effective Writing
• Exploit the Powers of Persuasive Writing
• Drive Home Your Message With Layout and Graphics
• Capabilities Check

Module 2 - Get the Most Out of Meetings

• Introduction
• Prepare Your Meeting Strategy
• Make Your Presentation Interactive
• Listen Actively
• Maintain Your Composure
• Keep the Meeting Moving
• Wrap Up the Meeting Positively
• Capabilities Check

Module 3 - Improve Your Negotiation Skills

• Introduction
• Become a Better Negotiator
• Use Conflict to Your Advantage
• Understand Conflict Resolution Styles
• Use a Structured Approach
• Capabilities Check

Module 4 - Embrace and Resolve Problems

• Introduction
• Don't Avoid Problems; Conquer Them
• Identify and Define Problems
• Determine Root Causes
• Generate and Select Alternatives
• Implement Solutions
• Capabilities Check

New Tech Case Story

• Overview
• Step 1 - Finding Investors
• Step 2 - Know Your Financing Options
• Step 3 - Demonstrate Your Investment Potential
• Step 4 - Demonstrate Your Management Capabilities
• Step 5 - Build an Investment Proposal
• Step 6 - Identify Potential Investors
• Step 7 - Meet Potential Investors
• Step 8 - Negotiate the Deal
• Step 9 - Close the Deal

Fast Track to Growth Capital

• Introduction
• Financial Needs and Performance
• Financing Options
• Investments Potential
• Management Capabilities
• Investment Proposal
• Finding Potential Investors
• Investor Meetings
• Negotiations
• Closing and Due Diligence

Readiness Assessment

• Investor Readiness Test

Resources

• Websites, publications, and other useful source material