Re: Venture Capital Funding

[rtjward]

In addition to a business idea that I am currently implementing which due to the nature of the business will not require any major capital outlay, I have another IDEA! that I feel will require quite a lot of funding (I could not at this stage say how much though). This idea I feel has great potential and I've run it past friends & family and they agree.

In addition to funding, I feel that I will also need management support. This is a classic case of, I have a business idea and I now need advice on how to progress it, where to find venture capital funding which is what I feel I will need. It is, if you like, a bit of a 'dot-com' idea, although the concept itself is not dependant on the internet, though it will be enhanced by the internet.

Not being an Oxford graduate like our Lastminute.com friends and not knowing any bigwigs in the City I need to get in contact with somebody who will

a) Give me their views on my idea.

And if they think it's feasible

b) Take me seriously and will know the people to implement it.

Can anyone help?

[austin]

Check out the post 'Funding for patent' 28/05

I'm a great beliver that anything is possible (even if it takes a lot of work). So if your idea has a genuine market potential and passes the SWOT test then you should start looking at how much capital you a likely to need.

You may be able to get a low interest load of upto £5000 from princes trust http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/ you will also get free advice from a mentor. If you need more than that you need a venture capitalist, or in your case more of a 'business angel'- someone who gives cash+ongoing advice. They will need a lot of reassurance that your idea is worth looking at, so you will have to be very self-confident in your success.

Go to your local business link http://www.businesslink.org
Good luck
Austin

[Warlow]

Here are some web addresses which you need to check out:

- National Business Angels - these are people with bucket loads of cash looking for a home! This organisation have a database and a facility named BestMatch which will put you in touch the person most likely to be interested in your idea
http://www.nationalbusangels.co.uk

- British Venture Capital Association - this site will give you all you need to know about VC's. However, most of them won't look at anything below 1 - 2 million
http://www.bvca.co.uk

- Corporate Venturing UK - a new partenership between the DTI and N'l Business Angels. It's the equivalent of a corporate dating agency where businesses state the type of support they want and they are put in touch with a likely partner. Services include management support, which you mentioned, not just cash injections.
http://www.corporateventuringuk.org

Best of luck

Rob

http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz

[MWhelan]

Where are you based and what Industry are you in?

Regards

Michelle

[BEN]

Theres nowt like an old thread revivel!!

Michelle...doubt these people still use the forum, this post is 2 years old.

Rgds,