Raising capital involves telling a story to investors about a company’s past, present, and future. One powerful capital raising storytelling narrative is the hero’s journey, a storyline that involves the company and investors joining forces to overcome a vital market challenge. This article sets forth the key elements of the hero’s journey and discusses how […]
Capital raising is critical for many companies. While fundraising has many challenges, a well-structured and comprehensive plan can significantly increase the likelihood of raising capital on the most favorable terms possible. One key element of the capital raising plan is creating a fundraising roadmap—a detailed guide outlining each fundraising step from setting goals to closing. […]
The capital raising process has many phases, including creating pitch materials and negotiating deal terms with investors. To help increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for entrepreneurs and companies raising capital, this article discusses the benefits of creating a virtual data room, provides an overview of the documents it usually contains, and shares suggestions regarding […]
While financial markets are often not equated with athletics, capital raising has a lot in common with sports: there is a clear objective, the playing field is constantly changing, competition is fierce and mental factors often separate winning and losing. When walking the narrow path between triumph and defeat, a strong, flexible mindset is vital. […]
For companies that are raising capital, one key investor concern is the company’s ability to attract and retain talent to drive the company’s business forward and respond to challenges that arise along the way. This is a significant challenge for companies that are at an early growth stage, because they often do not have the […]
Many companies that search for funding only focus on the amount of capital to be raised. But capital is the economic combination of costs and benefits and at times investment terms and conditions can do more harm to a business than good. This article discusses the economic structure of financial capital and argues that companies […]
Most companies that need capital try to raise it as quickly as possible. This strategy is often based on the view that capital raising is expensive, uses scarce firm resources and diverts the company’s attention away from other important business activities. While this approach may sound reasonable, it often does not lead to the best […]
When is the right time for a company to search for capital? Many companies only look for capital when they are facing major financial challenges, a search that often does not end in success. To increase the chances of obtaining funding on attractive terms, a better strategy is to view capital raising as a continuous […]
As with anything in life, it is easy for the capital raising process to devolve into an inescapable labyrinth of our own perceptions about the strength of our business model, investors and markets, regardless of whether or not those perceptions match reality. At all times on the capital raising path, we must be on guard […]
