Whole Network Most Recent TOP10 Entrepreneurship Events Technology Venture Capital

 

10 questions to ask your vc

Filed in archive Entrepreneurship by tj on January 24, 2005

Dispatches has the right questions what to ask you VC:
"
  • How big is your fund?
    There is no point trying to raise $1 million from a $1 billion fund.
  • How much is left in the fund after commitments and reserves for follow-ons are accounted for?
    Is there enough "dry powder" in the fund to support your company's needs over time?
  • When do you intend to go out fundraising?
    In other words, are you going to Disappearlinks for six to 12 months immediately after making an investment in my company and joining my board of directors?
  • When you fundraise and tell the story of your three most successful investments, how will you describe how value was created for LPs?
    The answer to this question will give you some insight regarding how you might be expected to create value. For example, if the firm's biggest success came as a result of increasing valuation multiples through the consolidation of a fragmented industry, your company's strategy of creating value through innovation and organic growth might not be a great fit.
  • Who is on your firm's investment committee?
    Depending on the firm, your primary contact may not be among the small group of founding partners who may be making key investment decisions.
  • What was your firm's advertised IRR when you raised your last fund?
    If the firm raised its most recent fund based on an advertised trackrecord of, say, a 60% internal rate of return, you might want to question whether your plan's forecast of, for instance, a 30% IRR is really going to maintain your investor's interest over time.
  • May I get a copy of the "book" you sent around when you raised this fund?
    What promises did the general partners make to their limited partners when they raised their last fund? How might those promises impact the fund's relationship with your company?
  • What do you think the exit will be on this investment? Do you think it will be a financial buyer or a strategic buyer?
    You are going to be asked this question. It's only appropriate that you find out up front what the expectations of your investors are regarding this critical issue.
  • As you think about how to shape the company so that it is optimally positioned for that exit, what three things do you think need to be done in my company?
    The general partners are measured against their ability to deliver value to their investors. By what metrics will you be judged?
  • What was your firm's biggest disaster as an investor? How did the investment go sideways?
    There is a difference between a bad result and a bad investment. Does the investor know the difference? How did they behave?


Advertisement


Permalink: 10 questions to ask your vc
Tags: venture  capital  entrepreneurship  questions  fund  venture+capital  please+enter  economy+finance 

Trackback: http://www.creative-weblogging.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.pl/4696



Advertisement


Advertisement


CW ToolbarInstall
RSSrss   | See all blog subscribe options
Googlegoogle   |   What is RSS?
Yahoo!yahoo
AddthisAddThis Feed Button
BloglinesBloglines
Newsletter
Advertisement - Book yours here.

Use our search feature to look for other interesting posts

Just this blog Whole network
Advertisement -
Book yours here..


 
Advertisement
Book yours here.



  • Testimonials

  • 'After visiting your site, I feel that your articles are very enriching and aspiring, and I learnt a lot after reading your articles on entrepreneurship...'

    Asia, Singapore

    'I really look forward to reading content from your site. You really do a great job of keeping yourself and (your readers like myself) ahead of the pack.' Asia, India

    '...very inspiring! Really like your site!' Europe, Netherlands

    'BTW I m addicted to your website :)' Europe, France

  • Other blogs in the same channel in the Creative Weblogging Network

Advertisement -
Book yours here..






Advertisement - Book yours here..
 
Tagcloud: Creative Weblogging Entrepreneurship Events Global Economy Jobs Politics Sponsored Post Technology Venture Capital