| When an investor is looking at your business they | | | | teaming up with allow for rapid expansion and |
| are obviously looking for the basics: an executive | | | | optimal eye candy for people that are interested |
| team that has worked with other companies in | | | | in placing capital with your company. Having some |
| your industry at the exact stage you are at now | | | | big names in your corner with the label 'strategic |
| with a solid track record of success, an active | | | | partner' just sweetens the pot. Companies thrive |
| advisory board that is eager to help and has a | | | | and dive on relationships. |
| solid comprehension of your industry, a board of | | | | If you are considering raising capital with a |
| directors that acts as your company's strategic | | | | Regulation D exemption like 504, 505 or 506 (also |
| think tank and action center where the tough | | | | referred to as a Private Placement Memorandum) |
| issues get dealt with and questions get answered. | | | | chances are, your company will be funded by |
| Investors also want to see that you are in a | | | | angel investors, private investors and other |
| growth industry and that all involved have the | | | | private equity money sources. Having a powerful |
| discipline to step out of the emotional ups and | | | | partnership base is like adding a blanket and warm |
| downs of a start-up or company seeking capital | | | | milk to your business plan and PPM when handing |
| and look at the business objectively. | | | | if off to the investor, it's soothing and comforting |
| All this said, the one aspect to creating a salivating | | | | to see that you're not alone but you have some |
| group of investors is your massive and powerful | | | | big names helping you on the road to success. |
| strategic partner database. These partners are | | | | Are you thinking about taking your business |
| able to enhance your company is ways of | | | | public? The same thing goes. The public wants to |
| distribution, sales, contracts, legal, tax etc. The | | | | see that you are in bed with big names who can |
| partners that you team up with are often build | | | | step in and help your company out of a tight spot |
| off of and initiated by the rapport of your | | | | and that you can co-op advertisements and |
| executive staff, board of advisers and board of | | | | promotional campaigns together. Raising capital is |
| directors. Your corporate attorney and accountant | | | | easier when you are moving forward with |
| should also contribute heavily to helping you build | | | | establish partnerships to ease the weight of the |
| strategic alliances with like-minded companies in | | | | load and stress that comes with a growing |
| their client base. These companies that you are | | | | company. |