Venture Capital

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VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS BY LOCATION

Africa

South America

30 active venture capital firms in the N.E.U.S.A.

Getting the right advice and right financing

More Venture Capital sources listed by state

Helping entrepreneurs grow innovative companies

Most active Technology VC firms in the United States

400 VC funding sources

Seed and early stage ventures

AngelMoney.com

TopStartups.com

Seed Company Partners

VCs that finance medical device deals

Ten Commandments of Fund Raising
What venture capitalists wants to know about your company
How venture capitalists evaluate you business plan
Financing the Three Stages of Business

Getting your business off the ground

An Option To Avoid Bankruptcy

How To Finance A Business

Building Your Board of Directors
Growing Your Company From Seed
Selling Your Investors

Most Venture Capitalists Prefer to Invest in Defined Geographic Areas
Besides having interest in certain industry sectors, most venture capitalists prefer to invest in deals located in a defined geographic close to their main office for the convenience of ongoing due diligence, an interest in regional economic development, and familiarity with the region in terms of economics. Thus, we have elected to arrange our U.S. venture capital sources by state, and others by country. Those looking to find venture capitalist would be wise to first present their deal to the venture capitalists in their region. Tips on Contacting Venture Capital Sources Before contacting venture capital sources, one should study their web pages to learn what deals they prefer to finance, what deals they have financed, to whom you should direct your deal, their geographic preference, and what information they require on the first contact. Don't send an e-mail attachment on your first contact. Send a plain e-mail. Don't hype your presentation with fancy fonts and colors--it is a sure turn-off. Check your spelling and your grammar. Direct your e-mail to the name of the contact person and briefly describe your deal in no more than 200 words. Don't mass mail your deal. An ending in your cover letter may say something like this: In the event you are not interested in our deal, we would very much appreciate a response from you and also would appreciate a referral to a financial source whom you believe may have interest in our deal. I assure you that if you follow these tips you will considerably improve your chance to at least have your presentation read. Also, you may want to mention that you saw their ad on the Bizfin web site. We are in communication with financial sources daily and the mention of our name could influence a source to look at your deal

TYPES OF VENTURE CAPITAL

SEED
Capital used for incorporating, due diligence, early research to prove out your product, and designing a business plan. Such capital is usually raised from immediate family, relatives, friends, angels, suppliers, customers, and colleagues who will be partners in the business. There are a few venture capital firms who will provide such capital, providing the founders have substantial experience and a previous track record in the deal they are attempting to finance. The amount sought is usually under $100,000.

START-UP
Capital to be invested in deals that have a business plan, management in place, principals have invested in the deal, and perhaps a marketing program is underway, but there is no history of revenues of which to speak.

EXPANSION
Capital sought after a company is generating revenues. The capital is generally used for such items as increasing a marketing program, hiring more sales people, opening branches, advertising, hiring more management, acquisitions, and so on.