Venture capital (VC) firms have always been considered to be the most desired source of funding for start-ups. VC investments are usually long-term partnerships, are controlled by an individual or a small group, require a high rate of return and a significant percentage of ownership in the funded entity. In addition to financing, VC firms can also provide introductions to strategic partners and customers, as well as introductions to additional investors and significant industry players.
If a company decides to opt for VC funding, one needs more than a great pitch deck and a unique business concept. Here are a few important things to expect and consider:
Know the VC
It is important to understand that when approaching a VC, one needs to understand their objectives. VC funds usually focus on companies that have a high growth rate with high operational costs. Additionally, before approaching a VC, one should assess whether the company fits with the fund’s investment strategy or sphere of focus. For example, certain funds may be sector focused (software, education, hardware, biotech, mobile, etc.). Other factors such as the stage of company (early-stage/seed, Series A, or later stage) and geographic focus are also important to look at before approaching the investor. For example, if you are a Hong Kong-based company with market opportunities in Asia, you should approach a VC that focuses on companies scaling in Asia.
Even though disruptive ideas and successful management teams are definitely favoured by VCs, the following criteria should also be considered when approaching them:
Pitch deck and presentation
It is crucial to have a strong pitch deck to present to the VC that provides a thorough yet concise overview of the business. The presentation should clearly describe and tell the story of the product or service, business model, market analysis, and opportunities, company financials, funding needs and management’s capabilities.
Term sheets and financials
A term sheet is the primary document that the founder sees from a VC when they are considering investing. The term sheet signals that the VC is strongly considering an investment and wants to proceed to the due diligence stage and prepare legal investment documents. Term sheets usually include:
Valuation of the company
The valuation is typically referred to as the “pre-money valuation,” which is the valuation before the new money or capital is invested and is a critical issue for both the entrepreneur and the VC investor. There are many different ways to arrive at valuation amounts. Valuations are usually determined based on:
Due diligence
Founders must prepare well for due diligence, or the process by which investors gather all the information and assess the potential risks involved in an investment. Due diligence may include:
Fundraising can be a long and daunting process that is key throughout the entire lifecycle of a start-up, from early start-stage support through family and friends, VC, private equity, merger and acquisition, all the way up to an initial public offering.
To learn more, join the Startup Impact Summit in the upcoming months, organized by WHub, Hong Kong’s first startup community platform, and hear first-hand from serial entrepreneurs and successful investors, across all stages and industries.