| Topic Name: |
Entry-Level |
| Message Name: |
It is not impossible |
| Date Posted: |
10/13/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
Is it possible to raise 30 Mil in first round funding with no VC help? Any opinions would be appreciated. |
| Message: |
It is not impossible but you better have a sound business plan. That means a proven and demonstrated market, solid management background and CONNECTIONS. If you don't have connections then your plan heads out the door faster than it walked in. Remember there are only a select group of firms that can handle that size of a deal and those firms are obviously the most competitive. Your best bet is to hire a respected Investment Banker who will walk through the VC door with you. I hope that helps you out. Your best bet is to find firms that invest in the $5-10 MM range and get them really excited about your company and then have them put together a syndication of investors for the remaining $20-25 MM.
Secondly to add my two cents about entry level VC. I started my career of in the Venture Capital World. I am not of Ivy background, my undergrad degree can from a school across the river from one. My recommendation is to go to barnes and noble or your school library and find a book with a list of VC firms in it. From there email, call and mail your resume. Be persistent, the squeeky wheel gets the oil. I started as an intern, and when my firm realized I was getting interviews with reputiable consulting and IB they made an offer. If you get an interview show that you are driven. I did this by getting to work before anyone else in the offic even though I had a 2 hr. drive each way. Secondly I worked hard and late, took initiative and learned from my mistakes. I hope that helps you out in your search. Good luck, it is very competitive and thier is degree of snobbery when it comes to schools, but once you break into the club the rest is easy.
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