The Shark Tank – Funding a Startup – Other Sources of Raising Capital

Let us say for argument sake that you have already exhausted the Angel & VC route other options to raise capital are available.  

Debt Instruments

If the business opportunity you are pursuing is the purchase/ expansion of an existing business; you may want to consider various debt instruments. Advantages include retaining equity, fixed interest payments and flexible payment/payback terms. Convertible debt is useful for companies that have a high degree of risk but do not want to give up a large portion of equity. The conversion feature of convertible debt is attractive to investors or banks that typically make loans but require equity for their added risk.

 

Joint Ventures

These have become increasingly popular for medical/biotechnology companies in the past few years, but any company can benefit from having a strong corporate partner. Joint venture agreements must be carefully structured to avoid relinquishing major shares of royalties or marketing rights to the partner. Expectations for both sides should be carefully documented.

Corporate Venture Capital

Many public companies have either a venture fund or business development group for strategic alliances and acquisitions, or both. Generally the venture arm of a public company will only invest “behind” a venture capitalist, leaving the due diligence and active management involvement to the venture capital investor. As noted earlier, your networks of advisors are an important referral source to venture financing. Contacts you make with corporate venture professionals are another means to identify the “right” venture firms to approach and could lead to direct referrals. While there are no comprehensive guides to locate corporate investors, most participate actively in venture conferences and local industry organizations and associations.

Happy Hunting.

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