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How to
Raise Seed
Funds & Venture
Capital (VC)
in Ireland
You want funds
to grow your
business?
Some things to
think about…
Investors have
expectations
even Business Angels
are not Santa
Investors want their money
back with a considerable return
for them
The higher the risk, the greater
the return expected
First of all, consider if you really
want to grow? There are
consequences to growth …
Having an equity
investor on board
means:
You will no longer make all key
decisions yourself
You will no longer make all key
decisions yourself
You have to account
for company performance
to someone else
You will no longer make all key
decisions yourself
You have to account
for company performance
to someone else
One day you are
expected to “exit”
(sell your whole business)
Why do it?
It’s all about the
money.
If you want to grow a
large company, this may
be the way to do it.
Because even owning
only 5% of €100m
company (€5m)
is better than
100% of €0.5m
company
(only €0.5m)
100%

5%
In some cases, it may be
possible to grow without
external funding.
But to do so you’ve got to be really, really
outstanding amongst top competition to
make that work!
Are you ready for
investment?
Top 3 requirements for a
company to be successful
at fund raising
One:
Large Market,
Access.
A Large Growth Market
must Exist
and you must be capable of
accessing that market
Two:
Customers,
Scalability.
Customers are the
ultimate validation
Business awards and column
inches are great, but someone
has got to pay for
your ‘stuff’ –
otherwise it literally
has no value
Your sales process
needs to be scalable
And not
dependent on one
person or a small
number of people.
Three:
A Great Team.
Teams build successful
companies, not technology
Delivery on the business plan will
be the responsibility of the team.
Money is a commodity.
Knowledge is not.
Do you have expertise and
track record that is not
easily replicated?
Money is a commodity.
Knowledge is not.
Do you have expertise and
track record that is not
easily replicated?
Your team should bring
experience and expertise.
Money is always just money.
(Although Ts & Cs apply)
Before you leave the
building to find an
investor be clear on…
Spend.
What are you going to spend
the money on? Specifically.
Not vague things like
“salaries” and definitely not
“contingency”
Spend.
What are you going to spend
the money on? Specifically.
Not vague things like
“salaries” and definitely not
“contingency”

Solvency.
How are you going to remain
solvent until you have the
funds in?
Spend.
What are you going to spend
the money on? Specifically.
Not vague things like
“salaries” and definitely not
“contingency”

Solvency.
How are you going to remain
solvent until you have the
funds in?

How Much.
How much money do you
need as capital investment
and when?
Spend.

How Much.

What are you going to spend
the money on? Specifically.
Not vague things like
“salaries” and definitely not
“contingency”

How much money do you
need as capital investment
and when?

Solvency.

ROI.

How are you going to remain
solvent until you have the
funds in?

What returns are going to be
generated by this
investment?
Raising funds is like running
a race.
Most of the time that it takes
to win a race is spent
in the training
beforehand.
Raising funds is like running
a race.
Similarly, an investor
proposition takes
time to develop, fine
tune and rehearse
before you approach
investors
What Stage
Are You At?
Start-Up
Capital

Seed
Capital

Series
A

Series
B

Start-Up capital is the first capital for a
business at concept stage.
This finance is normally provided by friends, family and
founders. It is a very high risk investment at this stage.
Start-Up
Capital

Seed
Capital

Series
A

Series
B

The business has a proven product, has
identified their market and may have
early revenues.
It’s still a high risk investment and the business is now
seeking a model for repeatable, scalable expansion
Start-Up
Capital

Seed
Capital

Series
A

Series
B

Development capital for businesses with a
proven market, product / market fit
The company is developing and refining their Customer
Acquisition Costs, and investment risk is now mainly in
the area of business execution
Start-Up
Capital

Seed
Capital

Series
A

Series
B

Expansion funding for established
companies, with no execution risk and
known Customer Acquisition Costs.
Ideally a business will partner with a
VC from the outset who would be
able to fund them through multiple
rounds, all the way through to exit.
How to win:
AWESO
ME
Develop an
Investor Proposition
VCs only invest in 2 out of
every 100 pitches.
Your investor proposition needs to demonstrate
that your company is capable and likely to
provide a return for your investors.
Getting into Gear
Investors probably make up their
minds in 20 minutes…
Investors probably make up their
minds in 20 minutes…

…but may take a few months to
tell you (in a formal term sheet)
Investors probably make up their
minds in 20 minutes…

…but may take a few months to
tell you (in a formal term sheet)

That’s why it’s important to have a
clear story before you meet
investors. First impressions count.
The process is just as important
as the outcome when developing
investor documents.
It is all great training
for your pitches.
The more you know, the more
confident you are and the more
investable you become.
You need to be comfortable
with what you don’t
know, as well as what
you do.
There are some
documents you will
absolutely need.
Documents you will need,
And I can help you perfect:
1. Forecasts
(3 years Profit and Loss Accounts, Cash Flow,
Balance Sheets)
We may build a business model to simulate how
your business works – spreadsheets which
translate your strategy and tactics into numbers.
The work that goes into specifying how you plan
to expand is what is key.
Documents you will need,
And I can help you perfect:
2. One Pager

What your company does
and why it’s investible

3. Slide deck

To summarise your investor
proposition

4. Investor
Memorandum

A type of business plan,
giving all key information
for an investor
Other areas that
need work…
Corporate
planning

Investor
messaging

Identify big issues: tax
corporate structure,
accounting, finance and
legal.

Jargon busting and
translation into “what
does this mean for
us?”

(You might need
specialist advisors)

(I can help you to
master the lingo)
Closing a Deal
Investors want to own a % of
your company for their
investment. This is dependent on
what the company is worth to
them.
€2 million for
25% stake
€2 million for
25% stake

Means your
company is
worth €8
million
There isn’t a one size-fits-all
formula for calculating the value
of a company.
So you should ‘shop around’ to
find the deal that works best for
all parties.
The clock is ticking.
Push for the truth early
on and waste no time.
Ask about their
process, their funds
and their timelines.
A few more things
to think about…
Future
expansion.
Can this investor fund
future equity financing
rounds?
Future
expansion.
Can this investor fund
future equity financing
rounds?

Term sheet.
How are you going to
remain solvent until you
have the funds in? What
are the consequences of
the terms?
Future
expansion.
Can this investor fund
future equity financing
rounds?

Term sheet.
How are you going to
remain solvent until you
have the funds in? What
are the consequences of
the terms?

Due diligence.
Investors will (should) do a
deep audit of the
company’s legal, financial
and operational segments.
Future
expansion.
Can this investor fund
future equity financing
rounds?

Term sheet.
How are you going to
remain solvent until you
have the funds in? What
are the consequences of
the terms?

Due diligence.
Investors will (should) do a
deep audit of the
company’s legal, financial
and operational segments.

Two way street.
You can do due diligence
on your investors by
checking with other clients
Pfft, this
sounds easy…
I could do
this myself
Can you do all that
stuff yourself? Really?
Maybe, some of it.
But even if you can…
Is it a good use of
your time?
You need to be
closing customer
deals & keep
momentum
going in building
the business
You aren’t going to
raise equity many
times, but when you
do, it is literally worth
doing it right
That’s where
I can help!
ins ire)
us dina
Co traor
len isor ex
He v
(sta

p ad
rtu
We have helped Irish
companies to raise over

€30 million
My associates and I have
over 50 years combined
experience in corporate
finance, fundraising and
delivering tech company
growth.
(From the inside as well as being advisors)
Warning:
I will be honest with you
and I will challenge you.
The focus is on winning
and this requires
commitment and hard
work from you too!
FIVE Things
I can help you with
Calculate and capture your value
proposition in investor documents
Calculate and capture your value
proposition in investor documents
Source appropriate investors and assist
with Enterprise Ireland as needed
Calculate and capture your value
proposition in investor documents
Source appropriate investors and assist
with Enterprise Ireland as needed
Manage the funding round and support
you through pitches
Calculate and capture your value
proposition in investor documents
Source appropriate investors and assist
with Enterprise Ireland as needed
Manage the funding round and support
you through pitches
Negotiate terms and guide you through
closing the legal documents
Calculate and capture your value
proposition in investor documents
Source appropriate investors and assist
with Enterprise Ireland as needed
Manage the funding round and support
you through pitches
Negotiate terms and guide you through
closing the legal documents
Oversee due diligence, close the round
and bring in the funds
Get in touch today!
Click here to talk to me on Twitter
Click here to connect on LinkedIn

@

helen@xbs.ie
Or call me +353 (0) 86 325 5665

www.xbs.ie

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How to Raise Seed Funds and Venture Capital (VC) in Ireland

  • 1. How to Raise Seed Funds & Venture Capital (VC) in Ireland
  • 2. You want funds to grow your business?
  • 5. Investors want their money back with a considerable return for them
  • 6. The higher the risk, the greater the return expected
  • 7. First of all, consider if you really want to grow? There are consequences to growth …
  • 8. Having an equity investor on board means:
  • 9. You will no longer make all key decisions yourself
  • 10. You will no longer make all key decisions yourself You have to account for company performance to someone else
  • 11. You will no longer make all key decisions yourself You have to account for company performance to someone else One day you are expected to “exit” (sell your whole business)
  • 13. It’s all about the money. If you want to grow a large company, this may be the way to do it.
  • 14. Because even owning only 5% of €100m company (€5m) is better than 100% of €0.5m company (only €0.5m) 100% 5%
  • 15. In some cases, it may be possible to grow without external funding. But to do so you’ve got to be really, really outstanding amongst top competition to make that work!
  • 16. Are you ready for investment?
  • 17. Top 3 requirements for a company to be successful at fund raising
  • 19. A Large Growth Market must Exist and you must be capable of accessing that market
  • 21. Customers are the ultimate validation Business awards and column inches are great, but someone has got to pay for your ‘stuff’ – otherwise it literally has no value
  • 22. Your sales process needs to be scalable And not dependent on one person or a small number of people.
  • 24. Teams build successful companies, not technology Delivery on the business plan will be the responsibility of the team.
  • 25. Money is a commodity. Knowledge is not. Do you have expertise and track record that is not easily replicated?
  • 26. Money is a commodity. Knowledge is not. Do you have expertise and track record that is not easily replicated? Your team should bring experience and expertise. Money is always just money. (Although Ts & Cs apply)
  • 27. Before you leave the building to find an investor be clear on…
  • 28. Spend. What are you going to spend the money on? Specifically. Not vague things like “salaries” and definitely not “contingency”
  • 29. Spend. What are you going to spend the money on? Specifically. Not vague things like “salaries” and definitely not “contingency” Solvency. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in?
  • 30. Spend. What are you going to spend the money on? Specifically. Not vague things like “salaries” and definitely not “contingency” Solvency. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in? How Much. How much money do you need as capital investment and when?
  • 31. Spend. How Much. What are you going to spend the money on? Specifically. Not vague things like “salaries” and definitely not “contingency” How much money do you need as capital investment and when? Solvency. ROI. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in? What returns are going to be generated by this investment?
  • 32. Raising funds is like running a race. Most of the time that it takes to win a race is spent in the training beforehand.
  • 33. Raising funds is like running a race. Similarly, an investor proposition takes time to develop, fine tune and rehearse before you approach investors
  • 35. Start-Up Capital Seed Capital Series A Series B Start-Up capital is the first capital for a business at concept stage. This finance is normally provided by friends, family and founders. It is a very high risk investment at this stage.
  • 36. Start-Up Capital Seed Capital Series A Series B The business has a proven product, has identified their market and may have early revenues. It’s still a high risk investment and the business is now seeking a model for repeatable, scalable expansion
  • 37. Start-Up Capital Seed Capital Series A Series B Development capital for businesses with a proven market, product / market fit The company is developing and refining their Customer Acquisition Costs, and investment risk is now mainly in the area of business execution
  • 38. Start-Up Capital Seed Capital Series A Series B Expansion funding for established companies, with no execution risk and known Customer Acquisition Costs.
  • 39. Ideally a business will partner with a VC from the outset who would be able to fund them through multiple rounds, all the way through to exit.
  • 40. How to win: AWESO ME Develop an Investor Proposition
  • 41. VCs only invest in 2 out of every 100 pitches. Your investor proposition needs to demonstrate that your company is capable and likely to provide a return for your investors.
  • 43. Investors probably make up their minds in 20 minutes…
  • 44. Investors probably make up their minds in 20 minutes… …but may take a few months to tell you (in a formal term sheet)
  • 45. Investors probably make up their minds in 20 minutes… …but may take a few months to tell you (in a formal term sheet) That’s why it’s important to have a clear story before you meet investors. First impressions count.
  • 46. The process is just as important as the outcome when developing investor documents. It is all great training for your pitches.
  • 47. The more you know, the more confident you are and the more investable you become. You need to be comfortable with what you don’t know, as well as what you do.
  • 48. There are some documents you will absolutely need.
  • 49. Documents you will need, And I can help you perfect: 1. Forecasts (3 years Profit and Loss Accounts, Cash Flow, Balance Sheets) We may build a business model to simulate how your business works – spreadsheets which translate your strategy and tactics into numbers. The work that goes into specifying how you plan to expand is what is key.
  • 50. Documents you will need, And I can help you perfect: 2. One Pager What your company does and why it’s investible 3. Slide deck To summarise your investor proposition 4. Investor Memorandum A type of business plan, giving all key information for an investor
  • 52. Corporate planning Investor messaging Identify big issues: tax corporate structure, accounting, finance and legal. Jargon busting and translation into “what does this mean for us?” (You might need specialist advisors) (I can help you to master the lingo)
  • 54. Investors want to own a % of your company for their investment. This is dependent on what the company is worth to them.
  • 56. €2 million for 25% stake Means your company is worth €8 million
  • 57. There isn’t a one size-fits-all formula for calculating the value of a company. So you should ‘shop around’ to find the deal that works best for all parties.
  • 58. The clock is ticking. Push for the truth early on and waste no time. Ask about their process, their funds and their timelines.
  • 59. A few more things to think about…
  • 60. Future expansion. Can this investor fund future equity financing rounds?
  • 61. Future expansion. Can this investor fund future equity financing rounds? Term sheet. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in? What are the consequences of the terms?
  • 62. Future expansion. Can this investor fund future equity financing rounds? Term sheet. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in? What are the consequences of the terms? Due diligence. Investors will (should) do a deep audit of the company’s legal, financial and operational segments.
  • 63. Future expansion. Can this investor fund future equity financing rounds? Term sheet. How are you going to remain solvent until you have the funds in? What are the consequences of the terms? Due diligence. Investors will (should) do a deep audit of the company’s legal, financial and operational segments. Two way street. You can do due diligence on your investors by checking with other clients
  • 64. Pfft, this sounds easy… I could do this myself
  • 65. Can you do all that stuff yourself? Really?
  • 66. Maybe, some of it. But even if you can… Is it a good use of your time?
  • 67. You need to be closing customer deals & keep momentum going in building the business
  • 68. You aren’t going to raise equity many times, but when you do, it is literally worth doing it right
  • 69. That’s where I can help! ins ire) us dina Co traor len isor ex He v (sta p ad rtu
  • 70. We have helped Irish companies to raise over €30 million
  • 71. My associates and I have over 50 years combined experience in corporate finance, fundraising and delivering tech company growth. (From the inside as well as being advisors)
  • 72. Warning: I will be honest with you and I will challenge you.
  • 73. The focus is on winning and this requires commitment and hard work from you too!
  • 74. FIVE Things I can help you with
  • 75. Calculate and capture your value proposition in investor documents
  • 76. Calculate and capture your value proposition in investor documents Source appropriate investors and assist with Enterprise Ireland as needed
  • 77. Calculate and capture your value proposition in investor documents Source appropriate investors and assist with Enterprise Ireland as needed Manage the funding round and support you through pitches
  • 78. Calculate and capture your value proposition in investor documents Source appropriate investors and assist with Enterprise Ireland as needed Manage the funding round and support you through pitches Negotiate terms and guide you through closing the legal documents
  • 79. Calculate and capture your value proposition in investor documents Source appropriate investors and assist with Enterprise Ireland as needed Manage the funding round and support you through pitches Negotiate terms and guide you through closing the legal documents Oversee due diligence, close the round and bring in the funds
  • 80. Get in touch today! Click here to talk to me on Twitter Click here to connect on LinkedIn @ helen@xbs.ie Or call me +353 (0) 86 325 5665 www.xbs.ie