Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
1 April 2010
The best way to approach this question is to think about how you might buy a computer or a new television. Not only do you want to know that the device will power on and perform its basic function, but you consider the list of features and benefits across various models, consider pricing differences; look at warranty options; available peripherals, etc.
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
18 March 2010
Is it my paranoia or are there fewer VC firms in the market? With the banks only lending on property mortgages, where can I go for early stage financing?
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
25 February 2010
A couple of our key investors are getting aggressive at board meetings, complaining of slow progress against our business plan. They are demanding that we achieve shorter sales cycles, but from the beginning we made it clear that the business model we were pursuing required a decent runway. Short of outright confrontation, any ideas how to handle the situation?
Author: Doren Ben-Meir on
4 February 2010
We have an investor who insists on providing us with funding on a monthly cashflow basis. It makes me feel like I’m holding out the hat all the time. Is this a standard funding approach or are there better ways?
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
14 January 2010
Awhile ago, I wrote a piece entitled,
Great Ideas and Great Teams. The key messages of that piece were directed at the extent to which the team really understood the target market and how to capture it.
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
7 January 2010
This article first appeared August 13, 2009.
Our shareholders' agreement provides a minority investor with the power to prevent us raising equity capital, despite the fact that they are no longer interested in investing. We have other investors that want to invest but not under the existing shareholder's agreement as they don't want their money controlled by a disinterested third party.
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
17 December 2009
Our business is not yet cashflow breakeven, despite a substantial equity raising two years ago. Cash is running out and we need a further injection to make it through to profitability. Our existing shareholders don't have the funds to follow on and the only deal on the table is offering us a much lower valuation than our previous round. This will significantly dilute the existing shareholders who have taken on a far higher risk. What can we do?
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
26 November 2009
Many entrepreneurs look at the control provisions in venture deals and think twice about proceeding.
Author: Doron Ben-Meir on
29 October 2009
Early stage businesses are often confused when it comes to structuring their board of directors. Some opt for no non-executive directors while others seek to stack their boards with "brand name" appointments that generate publicity.
