How to Raise Capital to Grow Your Business
Whether you are just starting as an entrepreneur or the president of an existing mid-sized company, you have one common need: capital. As an entrepreneur or a current mid-sized company, it may seem a daunting task to obtain funding. If you consider your situation and choose the suitable method, it does not have to be challenging to obtain additional initial investment capital. Venture capital, angel investors, Reg A+, and equity crowdfunding are all good resources to obtain capital.
Venture Capital
Venture capital is a great source of funding for startup companies that have proven their model, with the potential for growth. Venture capitalists seek stocks or shares of a company in exchange for financial investment. Venture capitalists look for younger companies on the fringes of a breakthrough in technology or concept. When you choose to utilize venture capital to grow your business, be prepared to have your books open and your activities scrutinized. Venture capitalists often have significant involvement in the operation and growth of your company due to the nature of their monetary contributions. They have a stake in your business and want your business to succeed because your company is their investment. Venture capitalists usually enter into long-term investment situations. Additional consideration should be given to the fact that venture capitalists typically require a higher rate of return on investment.
Angel Investors
Angel investors are related slightly to venture capitalists in that they generally look for successful companies with great potential and have significant amounts of money to invest. However, the angel investor is different from the venture capitalist in that the angel investor is often willing to invest in entrepreneurs starting a new business. Angel investors are generally people who have been successful in business and want to help young entrepreneurs. Sometimes angel investors are friends or associates with a strong desire to help their associates succeed. Angel investors often give their time freely to assist with the business and generally accept losses without repercussions. The angel investor is typically interested in the entrepreneur’s cause or business idea and, thus, has a personal interest in the success of the business.
Crowd Funding
Crowdfunding is a fast-rising method for growth capital to start a new business. Social media has delivered the perfect vehicle to set up an account and ask people for money for your startup business. Crowdfunding is a good method for entrepreneurs with new startups. Crowdfunding has also become a good source for mid-sized companies looking to grow their businesses. There are many crowdfunding sites available ranging from Kickstarter and Go Fund Me for lower monetary contributions, to Equity CrowdFunding in the range of $100k to $3 million, on platforms such as CrowdFunder, Equity Net, and CircleUp. Crowdfunding requires a great pitch for your business and complete transparency. Be prepared to answer countless questions and undergo rigorous scrutiny as to why your company should receive this type of funding from investors.
RegA+
Regulation A+, also known as “Title 4” allows main street investors worldwide to invest up to $75 mill per year in mid-stage companies and low risk mature startups, either as easily promoted equity offerings or as a Simple IPO(TM) in which a company can become publicly traded at low cost and with a simple low-cost reporting requirement.
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Rod Turner
Rod Turner is the founder and CEO of Manhattan Street Capital, the #1 Growth Capital service for mature startups and capital using Regulation A+. Turner has played a key role in building successful companies including Symantec/Norton (SYMC), Ashton Tate, MicroPort, Knowledge Adventure, and more. He is an experienced investor who has built a Venture Capital business (Irvine Ventures) and has made angel and mezzanine investments in companies such as Bloom, Amyris (AMRS), Ask Jeeves, and eASIC.mid sized companies to raise
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