Venture Capital For Dummies

Secure venture capital?Easy.Getting a business up and running or pushing a brilliant product to the marketplace requires capital. For many entrepreneurs, a lack of start-up capital can be the single biggest roadblock to their dreams of success and fortune. If you're an entrepreneur looking for hands-on guidance on how to secure capital for your business, Venture Capital For Dummies takes you step by step through the process and gives you the edge you need to succeed.* Nothing ventured, noting gained - get up-to-speed on venture capital basics, find out if working with a VC is right for you, and understand alternatives to VCs* Mirror, mirror on the wall - find ways to become attractive to venture capitalists, position your company (not the product), cultivate relationships, and provide an exit strategy* It's a deal - grasp the ins and outs of structuring pre-VC deals, leading the risk conversion, telling your valuation story, and negotiate your terms* Pitch it - discover how to pitch to investors, from planning the pitch to making the presentation -- and everything in betweenOpen the book and find:* How a venture capital fund works* What venture capitals look for* Ways to get into the venture capitalist mindset* Advice on creating an online persona for your company* Tips for making contact with investors* The importance of cultivating relationships* How to position your company to appeal to investors* Ten ways to lose the deal (and how to avoid them)Learn to:* Find and secure venture capital for your business* Gain traction to prove your company's potential to VCs* Target and achieve key milestones for early-stage businesses