photo credit: ronbrinkmann There are lots of articles and books written about the formula for start-up success, but start-up mistakes are much more consistent. These common mistakes will take even the best idea into start-up dead pool. Greed Getting rich quick only happens playing the lottery. If you are starting a company for a quick [...]

photo credit: Ed-meister A “Money Finder” is an individual or company who, for a fee, finds willing investors interested to invest in growing companies. The Finder formally links the Investors and Entrepreneurs with the purpose of creating a mutually beneficial financial arrangement. Terms Some terms used here may be unfamiliar. “Intermediary” and “Money Broker”, as [...]

photo credit: Theodore Scott Many say that now may not be the best time to deal with the Spanish market. Property, once one of the most intriguing aspects of Spain, has now become overcrowded and overpriced. But on the other hand, investing in businesses there has started to let its potential shine. There are thousands [...]

photo credit: cwbuecheler Many start-up companies and even savvy business people are not aware of what it takes to find capital to launch their new idea or propel their business forward. There should be no shame in this because if you were an expert on it you would be in business finance and not the [...]

photo credit: star5112 “Get an introduction to the venture capitalist.” It’s good advice. It just isn’t always possible, or even likely. Many outstanding entrepreneurs with equally outstanding financing proposals simply don’t have The Introduction. Unsolicited, and un-introduced, financing proposals are typically tossed into the dog pile or slush fund or circular file. In most venture [...]

photo credit: oneVillage Initiative If you are an entrepreneur with a small technology based company looking to take it to the next level, this article should be of particular interest to you. Your natural inclination may be to seek venture capital or private equity to fund your growth. According to Jim Casparie, founder and CEO [...]

photo credit: JUCCCE When we purchased Rockford Ball Bearing Corporation out of bankruptcy in 2006, the venture capital market was flush with cash. This spring we sought an additional round of funding for our expansion. Venture Capital is never easy to find, but especially during these difficult economic times it is getting harder. New strategies [...]

photo credit: Marcin Wichary Where, oh where, has that business grant gone? Everyone talks about them. Few seem able to actually find them. Some, in fact, claim that business grants are everywhere; some claim they are as rare as a trout tooth. The truth, dear Watson, lies somewhere in between. “Business grants are there for [...]

photo credit: David Boyle in DC We’ve all seen the hype: “We’ll put your plan in front of thousands of investors!” “We’ll write you an award-winning online business plan!” “Only $3,000 for thousands of investors to learn about your company!” I cringe every time I see one of these ads. Vultures are preying on honest [...]

photo credit: rachie lea All businesses start with “the big idea”. The person with the idea often times does not have all of the start up capital that they need to turn this multi-million dollar idea into a reality. The first place that many business owners start to seek funding is from friends and family. [...]