U.S. Venture Capital Investors coming to Australia? Believe the hype.
A recent article in StartupSmart.com.au featured the story of a U.S.-based venture capital firm, Azure Capital Partners, who traveled from San Francisco to hold investment talks with several Aussie tech startups. According to the article, an Australia-based investment by this VC firm is “highly likely” in the near future. Is this story just a one-off.. read more →
Australian Venture Capital: the worst of times – or best of times?
The Australian venture capital fundraising environment is tough right now – according to recent numbers from the AVCAL 2010 Yearbook, total Australian VC commitments were down by half during 2010, with Australian VCs raising $168 million in new commitments during the year. In keeping with the experience of most other countries around the world as.. read more →
10 things that VC investors want to see in your business plan (part 1)
Every technology start-up needs to have a business plan. This document serves as a road map for your business – strategy, goals, measurable milestones, and the overall picture of what your business is and where you want to go. One of the most important uses of a business plan is to use it as a.. read more →
Why is it so hard to raise venture capital funding?
Most entrepreneurs who have gone through the process will tell you that raising venture capital funding for their start-ups was one of the most difficult things they have ever experienced. The process of getting venture capital financing can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Many start-ups that fail do so because they failed to get.. read more →
Portfolio approach to VC investing – is Australia already doing it the “right way?”
One of the challenges with venture capital investing, from an investor’s standpoint, is that the investments are just so incredibly risky. Reliable statistics are hard to come by, but one rule of thumb is that out of every 10 VC investments, three will fail spectacularly, four will earn a decent but unimpressive return, and only.. read more →
The State of Venture Capital in Australia and Southeast Asia
The Australian economy is increasingly interconnected with those of Southeast Asia – countries like China, India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Much of Australia’s economic growth during recent years has been fueled by international trade with these other Asian countries. How does Australia’s venture capital climate compare to other SE Asian countries? What are the latest.. read more →
People Power: How your Company Personnel Affect your Ability to Raise Venture Capital
When a technology company decides to raise venture capital, there are many factors at work in whether their VC fund raising will be successful. Products, marketing strategies and the basic operations of the company matter, of course, but one often overlooked area is the company’s personnel. Are your people ready to help your firm raise.. read more →
5 Company Problems to Resolve Before Asking for Investment
Venture capital is a risky business – for the company being invested in as well as the venture capital investors who put their money at risk. The reason that venture capital investments are so risky for investors is because they are investments in small, unproven companies. The companies’ products are often the first of their.. read more →
Taking a Portfolio Approach to High Risk Venture Investing
Venture capital investments can be extremely risky. Many venture capital investments never pay off; some of the companies that VC funds invest in fail completely. However, with great risk comes the potential for great reward – venture capital investors are in the game because they are prepared to risk losing some money in exchange for.. read more →
Top 20 Reasons Why Investors say “No”
For technology companies seeking to raise venture capital, dealing with prospective investors can be an eye-opening experience. Investors have their own sets of questions and concerns. It’s a different type of challenge to build a relationship with an investor than it is to attract and retain a customer – investors are going to have a.. read more →