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 between Open 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