Flat6 Labs Cairo Cyle 13 Bootacamp Day 3
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This document summarizes a presentation on fundraising fundamentals. It discusses stages of fundraising, including angels and early/later stage VCs. The fundraising process is outlined, including targeting investors, qualifying them, and managing the process. Pitching tools like forwardable emails, executive summaries and decks are covered. The document also provides tips on fundraising tactics, dealing with VCs, and the due diligence process.
Flat6 Labs Cairo Cyle 13 Bootacamp Day 3
- 1. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Flat6 Labs Boot Camp – Day 3 Dave Parker @DaveParkerSEA www.dkparker.com/blog Dave@dkparker.com @DaveParkerSEA
- 2. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Day 3 Agenda ¤ Fundraising Fundamentals ¤ Pitch Prep ¤ Pitches ¤ Tools ¤ Forwardable email ¤ Executive Summary ¤ Monthly Updates
- 4. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Fundraising 101 ● Stage appropriate capital = what’s the right money at the right time? ○ Early – Angels, early stage VCs, ○ Later – Large venture funds ● Control shifts – Board roles, deal terms ● Dilution: every round of funding you will sell 25- 35% of new shares ● Bad boards = bad enterprise value
- 5. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Raising for What? ¤ 18 months of runway ¤ Not too short ¤ To hit milestones ¤ Product ¤ Customers ¤ “Use of proceeds”
- 6. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Angels ● Invest in you and your passion ● Like the market or idea ● Have made money in the sector before ● Something to talk about at a cocktail party! ● Deal type ○ Convertible note with a cap ○ Pro-rata participation (keep my % going forward) ○ Highest risk – least educated (F&F) should be best deal
- 7. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Early Stage = Risk Capital ● Know your numbers, if you don’t have your numbers know your hypothesis (have a position) ● Seed stage VC’s are investing other people's money ○ Charter and Thesis ○ Stage, vertical market, size, geography ○ 10% (+/-) stakes plus syndicates ● VC perspective - Elusive deals need to be found ○ Revenue but Pre-product market fit ● ”Return the Fund” deals that can produce >10X
- 8. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Later Stage = Growth Capital ● Post product market fit ● $10K in marketing spend = Internal rate of return (IRR) of how many days? ● MBA’s calculate returns – cash on cash ● Strategics aren’t valuation sensitive, but will be slow ● Bigger checks – 20% stakes
- 9. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Fundraising Process ● Enterprise Sales Process – landing multiple planes at the same time ● Top of the Funnel ○ Research ■ Crunchbase (cheap) ■ Pitchbook (expensive) ■ Angelist ■ Competitive deals (w/ Exits) ○ Create a forwardable email ■ Ask for approval ■ Follow with Intro
- 10. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Target Investors ● Targets – build a list of targets, look for LinkedIn and/or email introductions ● They have invested in your market/stage in the past ● They have Board experience for your stage ● They can help with strategic introductions ○ Investors ○ Customers
- 11. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 First Impressions Matter ● Targets – build a list of targets, look for LinkedIn and/or email introductions ● They have invested in your market/stage in the past ● They have Board experience for your stage ● They can help with strategic introductions ○ Investors ○ Customers
- 12. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Final Do’s and Don’ts Do ● Keep your eye on the ball – don’t miss your numbers ● Manage the process ● Qualify your investor ● Create optionality Don’t’ ● Get < 6 Month of capital ● Hide the ball on any bad news ● Be too transparent ● Let the investor miss a deadline – escrow example
- 13. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Conclusions ● Broad funnel gives you the most choices ● They will be talking to other investors ● How you interact in the process will indicate the future ● What do you need in addition to capital? ○ Go to market help ○ Product help ○ Know your blind spots ● Time kills ALL deals
- 16. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Tools for Pitching ¤Forwardable Email ¤Executive Summary ¤Presentation ¤ ~11 Slides ¤Monthly Update
- 17. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Forwardable Intro Email ¤ Great blog post from Alex Iskold, Techstars NYC ¤ The associate needs to be able to repeat your message ¤ Make it easy to get the introduction ¤ Avoid buzzword bingo
- 19. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Executive Summary ¤Two pages ¤ ”Don’t Bury your Lede” ¤ Your headlines and opening paragraph tell the story (see slide 10) ¤ It’s designed to get the next meeting, not to get a check ¤ Stay at 10k feet and out of the weeds ¤ Numbers should sync with deck and forecast! You’ll be tempted to get out of sync – be careful!
- 20. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Deck ¤Generally lead with problem/solution format ¤However: ¤ If you have traction lead with traction ¤ If you’re in a complex market, you may want to lead with your team ¤ Have one customer story arch ¤Include contact info
- 21. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Slides 1. Welcome slide – will be on the screen the longest, include your tag line 2. Intro – one slide summary, expanding on “Hi, my name is ___” 3. Idea: Problem/Solution 4. Market – how big is it? 5. Product 6. Traction 7. Team 8. Timing 9. How will you make money 10. IP/Moat 11. Clear Ask
- 22. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Monthly Updates ¤ Every month ¤ Mail Chimp Free Account ¤ Content ¤ What we did ¤ What we’re going to do ¤ Where we could use help ¤ Show steady progress with or without capital
- 24. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Pitching your Idea ¤ Clearly communicating your idea is critical for recruiting a co-founder and capital ¤ Starting strong ¤ What questions do you want the audience to ask when you’re through? ¤ Can I invest ¤ Can I help ¤ WTF?
- 25. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Dave’s Madlibs Pitch Hi, I’m <your name here>, and my company <your Company name here> the problem I’m solving is <insert problem here>. Our product <insert product info here> is designed for our target customer of <insert target customer here>. We make money by <insert method here> and our team is the right team because <insert why you’re awesome here>. I need help with <insert help needed here>.
- 26. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Write and practice your pitch
- 28. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Day Three Deliverables ¤ Pull all of the pieces together and prepare you deck Post Finals ¤ Write your executive summary ¤ Prepare your forwardable email ¤ Setup your monthly update
- 32. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Fundraising Process ● Asking for advice vs cash ○ Who do you know that would like out type of deal ○ What other things would you like to see us complete before we talk again ● Deals that get closed are pulled by the investor, not pushed by you ● Find your lead investors – keep the others warm
- 33. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Tools ● Google Sheets ● https://freebusy.io/ allows you to show your calendar (including multiple Google Calendars) – save the back and forth ($6/month) ○ Accept or rearrange ● Email tracker pro (chrome extension) ● Zoom Meeting – you control the variables (not free, 45 minute limit) ($15/month) ● Use tools that show professionalism, drive the meeting schedule – don’t wait on their assistant
- 34. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 What’s happening with the VC? ● Most filter – sector, size, stage, growth, referral source ● Then Screen at Partner Meeting – looking for consensus ● Then invite in for presentation ● So! You need to make the presentation that the most Junior team member has confidence repeating! Have a lead within the firm ● No one’s writing a check from an Exec Summary or PPT! Get the next meeting
- 35. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Due Diligence Process • Deal Memo – internal memo used to validate why they are leading the round – it will likely be shared with other investors or future investors • Document review post • Data room • Corporate Hygiene • Customer calls – you likely have a few customers, don’t over burden them with random call. • Meet with other investor
- 36. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Your Due Diligence ● Ask to talk to their portfolio company CEOs – ask for a couple of companies they passed on investing as well ● Have a structured list of questions ○ Have they been a good investor ○ Give me an example of a time when they were helpful ○ Give me an example of a time they weren’t helpful ○ Have they done the things they said they would do when they invested ● Not all money is good money
- 37. Copyright DKParker, LLC 2017 Tactics for dealing with VCs ● You want to create momentum or a sense of momentum ● Create a reason to close – not a reason to wait! ○ Good news next month is a reason to wait ○ New features shipping next month is a reason to way ○ Booked revenue is a reason to close = increased valuation ● Not all VCs are arrogant assholes (but many are) ○ Pattern matching – break the mold!