Tag Archives: investment

Ep. 189 – Seed Funding: Angel Investment Criteria, Part 6

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-2Startup valuations involve a special kind of calculus for everyone involved, and it’s not uncommon for first-time founders to be overwhelmed. Tiny differences in an investment proposal from an angel investor can have a huge impact — often millions of dollars or huge percentage differences in total equity — in the final agreement. Even when the investment cash is taken into consideration during the valuation can easily turn a seemingly fair deal into a non-starter.

In this episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about the nuances of “pre-money” and “post-money” valuations, and how they can ultimately change the entire nature of an investment relationship. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 188 – Seed Funding: Angel Investment Criteria, Part 5

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-1Angel funds and other early-stage investors know the odds. For every one company they back that is a breakout success, five or six others will most likely fail, taking their investment cash with them. Two or three other companies they invest in may break even. If those angel groups want to see a profit when it’s time for them to exit, the companies they invest in need to be primed for serious growth.

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan explains the investor’s side of the equity agreement, and why their business model means focusing on high-growth startups with plenty of potential buyers in the wings. Tom is joined by guest co-host and producer Natalie Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 184 – Seed Funding: Angel Investment Criteria, Part 1

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-2Angel investors generally have a focus. Sometimes their focus is on a geographical area or customer demographic, other times it’s on a market niche or specific industry. Some groups even go as far as distinguishing between true startups and other early stage companies. Because these groups don’t want to waste time talking to founders whose businesses don’t fit within the scope of their interests, they almost always make this information easy to find. This means the first step for finding angel investment money is often finding the right angel group to talk to.

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan talks about investor criteria using a group that’s close to home, local angel investment group Asheville Angels. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 178 – Seed Funding 101: Common Methods

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-1Raising money is a roadblock most early stage companies will encounter sooner or later. It can be a confusing topic, with a wide variety of competing models and expert opinions muddying the waters. To understand how fundraising works — particularly the “seed stage” funding that’s relevant to most startups — we need to get back to basics.

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan outlines the fundamental stages of fundraising, discussing what they mean in purely practical terms for first-time entrepreneurs. Tom is joined by producer and co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 177 – Seed Funding 101: Overview

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SIBP-Blog-NEW-5When you work with a wide variety of startups and early stage companies, it’s not the differences in business models or industries that stand out most. What stands out most are the similarities. As they grow, every business goes through roughly the same stages of development. No place is this phenomenon more evident than when it comes to fundraising.

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan launches a new series discussing the fundamentals of fundraising. As always, Tom is joined by co-host and producer Jason Pyles. Continue reading →