FREE 5 Day Mini-course
Get Instant Blog Updates
 Get Success Tips via RSS

Enter your Email




Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz

Follow Me on Twitter
Search This Blog

What people are saying...

Since bumping into you on the web, your tips have been helpful with sending me in the right direction.   And most recently even assisted me in another source of income thanks to you. Together we will succeed!  
Shane Belceto
PersonalDevelopmentSuccess.net
Auburn, WA

“Adam is the kind of Manager that gets the job done. From the moment I met him I beleived him to be a powerhouse. He has confidence and direction. He he is goal oriented and stays focused and on task. I would be proud to have Adam working with me on any project. He has good ethics and moral character.”

Liz Otts, President Florida Business Expo”

“Adam is a young, sincere, and action-taking entrepreneur and entrepreneur supporter. If you need somebody to help you get your business off the ground, he is the guy!”

Michael Simmons

“Adam is a true entrepreneur. He approaches things from a unique standpoint. Always searching to make things more profitable, more streamlined and more efficient. Adam is dedicated, attentive and passionate. He is an asset to anyone who has the opportunity to work with him. I give him my highest recommendation.”

Jimmy Vee, Partner/CEO, Gravitational Marketing

“Adam's business acumen is plainly obvious after spending just a few moments engaged in conversation. He has accumulated a range of skills through his extensive, high-level business experiences uncommon at his age. If you want to work with a serious business superstar, then take a close look at Adam because he can dramatically impact any venture in a positive way.”

Julie Brumlik, Dremu.com

“If you're looking for an innovative and bright person to do business with, two words about Adam: "Do It." Among other things, I've had Adam speak to my business students when I was teaching at a local college and he not only was inspiring to them, but it's evident that Adam is a true entrepreneur at heart.”

Brian Collins, President, The Brainstorm Institute

“Adam is a quick learner with a high aptitude for all matters of business. He is an effective presenter and is extremely reliable and professional. What's best about Adam is his graciousness and ego-free demeanor--he is always approachable and willing to listen.”

Heather Stearns, Technical Writer, Orlando Utilities Commissionts
 
“Adam is a brilliant marketer and entrepreneur, with the ability to tackle a wide variety of tasks across multiple roles. A quick learner and a master networker, Adam's impressive skills will no doubt lead to a bright future in his business career.”

Mike Brodsky, Vice President - Wealth Management, Smith Barney

“Adam Dudley is the consummate strategist for putting together new deals and getting them to fruition. A man of great integrity that I admire, respect and highly recommend.”

Gary S. Mezo Nanobiotech

“Adam is extremely dedicated to his work and is always 100% committed to the task at hand. I've always been very impressed with the results of Adam's work and entrepreneurial talent.”

Steve Mort, US correspondent, Feature Story News

“Adam is a sharply focused executive and a selfless team player who is a pleasure to work with. He's a very creative collaborator who constantly strives for excellence and relevance and brings great value to any project. If Adam is involved, the chances for success are increased considerably.”

Marc Middleton, Founder/CEO, Bolder Broadcasting Inc. and Growing Bolder Media Group

“Adam - is an incredibly professional, with great compassion in everything he does, a self-starter with endless energy. Trustworthy, reliable and personable.”

Steven J. Miguel, CEO, Design2Keys

Your writing is well written and down to earth.  It is good to know you come from a middle-class family.  Gives us hope.  You are a superb example of success.  Thus, with your eloquent writing and sharing your personal experiences, I am indebted to you for the advice and your friendship. Thanks for your friendship and continued help.  Perhaps someday I will know success.  Hopefully I will become a successful entrepreneur...  I will have you, partly, to thank for it.  :)

John Cambell
Future Robotics Mogul

Just a quick note to let you know I appreciate the advise, tips, strategies, freebies, recommendations and insight you've provided to me over the last few months I've been on your list.

I don't know what it is exactly, but certain people I instinctively know I want to white list in my email account.  It's probably a combination of things - like not sending me three sales pitch messages a day (or even one a day, every darn day), or not getting the same message multiple times the same day because the sender doesn't use a duplicate remover software, or maybe its just the lack of hype.

Whatever it is, I white listed you soon after reading a message or two from you AND I also have archived most of your instructional messages for future reference.  Keep it up!

Russ Guthrie
Las Vegas, NV


I wanted to stop by and let you know that I appreciate the information, knowledge and experience you share.

Dennis Murphy
Marketing Consultant


Keep teaching because I love learning!!!

Nick Biagi
Vice President
BCProcessing

« How to use LinkedIn to prospect investors and raise capital for your startup business | Main | A VC would never get caught teaching this secret about pitching investors to entrepreneurs »
Monday
06Jul2009

Top 10 takeaways from the TiE Florida Event: "Venture Capital Current & Future Trends"

Last night I attended "Venture Capital Current & Future Trends," a panel discussion organized by TiE Florida and hosted by Andrew Finkelstein of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. at their the downtown Orlando offices. The Venture Capitalist panelists included Kathy Harris of Noro-Mosely Partners, Randy Poliner of Antares Capital and Rik Vandevenne or River Cities Capital Funds.

Here are my top 10 takeaways from the evening:

1. On the approach

  • The absoulte best way to approach a Venture Capitalist (and possibly any investor for that matter) is through their trusted advisors
  • Referrals from other VC's are also very powerful and you should always ask for them
  • 2. On your pitch and business plan

    • The depth of thought development that the process of writing a business plan requires is worth much more than the physical document once it is completed
  • Stick to the facts!
  • Do not oversell or embelish the good points about your company
  • Prove that you know your competitors
  • Have your personal background straight
  • 3. On selecting a VC to partner with

    • Do your homework...know what each VC firm actively invests in. Is there an obvious match between your company and their firm?
  • If there isn't a match, always ask for referrals to firms that are because the VC community is relatively small
  • 4. On raising money

    • If you are an entrepreneur building a company then you are always raising money
  • Network, network, network
  • It takes unshakable faith in your idea and relentless persistance
  • Remember that VC's have to do it constantly to
  • 5. On what VC's are looking for in a portfolio company

    • Referrals from trusted advisors with domain expertise
  • Entrepreneurs and management teams with track records of success...ability to establish and consistently achieve worthwhile milestones
  • Companies with an unfair advantage and a sizeable market
  • Companies built for the long-term that are capital efficient and prime for M&A
  • 6. On Angel Investors

    • Angels rarely make money because they get crushed through dilution in subsequent rounds of financing
  • You don't get the same level of domain expertise as you do with a VC firm
  • 7. On company valuations

    • Driven by markets
  • Walk in with an idea of what you think your company is worth
  • Do not use a discounted cash flow model because it will be rejected
  • 8. On the current Venture Capital market

    • Investments are trending down everywhere except in California
  • Time to close deals is extended to 120-150 days
  • Less seed and early-stage investments are being made in favor of more conservative growth stage deals
  • 9. On tips for raising capital in 2009

    • Increase the "curb appeal" of your company
  • Get your house in order
  • Consider asking for more than you need
  • Reevaluate your financial and financing strategies
  • 10. On the overall outlook for the future

    • Unsure whether an economic recovery will occur during 2009
  • 2010 more likely for things to get back on track
  • PrintView Printer Friendly Version

    Reader Comments

    There are no comments for this journal entry. To create a new comment, use the form below.

    PostPost a New Comment

    Enter your information below to add a new comment.

    My response is on my own website »
    Author Email (optional):
    Author URL (optional):
    Post:
     
    Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>