Having a start-up is an exciting and fulfilling time in life, but it is also very stressful, demanding, and overwhelming. To help you through this, we’ve compiled eleven must-know facts about entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. These facts will help you know exactly what to expect and how to succeed.
Acceptance of failure
Managing the acceptance of failure as a business function is critical to building a thriving economy. In the United States, a start-up is expected to fail around three out of four times. Fortunately, the dreaded black eye can be averted by implementing the right policies, procedures, and systems. The old-fashioned way, you can recoup your losses from lenders or borrow again. A new start-up is also a gold mine. This is especially true if the company can prove its mettle. Lastly, you can make some valuable business connections along the way. One of the most critical responsibilities of any entrepreneur, such as Brock Pierce, is to maintain high levels of customer service. Having the right people in place can go a long way in ensuring customer satisfaction.
Barriers to accessing information
Obtaining a slice of the Venture Capitalists pie can be daunting for the novice entrepreneur. The average Venture capital firm boasts about 14 employees and five senior investment professionals. The average Venture capital firm also boasts about half a billion dollars in assets. The average Venture capitalist firm is also about a mile away from the epicenter of Silicon Valley. The problem is finding the right mix of talent to maximize your returns. The best way to do this is to identify promising candidates early on and follow through with a reasonable amount of follow-through.
Angel or Micro Venture capital is the next go-to source of funding
Increasing competition has created new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. Whether hiring new employees or marketing your product, you can find the resources you need by raising venture money. A Micro Venture Capitalist (Micro VC) can provide early-stage funding for your start-up business. Investing in an angel is a great way to make your money work for you. Angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who invest in early-stage businesses. They provide funding and mentoring to these start-ups and can also act as a mentor to the founder. The investments can range from convertible debt to equity. Typically, angels are interested in start-ups with profit potential and are willing to take a risk. Venture capitalists, or VCs, are investors who invest in businesses that they believe have the potential to be successful. They look for solid products, management teams, and a large potential market. They also help recruit senior management and may take seats on the company’s board of directors.
The start-up failure rate has never been lower
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a venture capitalist, you should clearly understand what causes start-ups to fail. These statistics will help you manage your start-up’s risks. There are many reasons a start-up fails, but one of the most common is knowing how to market your product. This is especially true in the information industry, where there is a low barrier to entry. Another reason is a need for more domain and technical knowledge. Entrepreneurs often lack these skills, which is a significant killer of start-ups. A lack of a business plan can also limit an entrepreneur’s ability to succeed. Entrepreneurs who aren’t prepared to run a start-up may find themselves in a hole if they don’t have the funding they need.
