Locating Venture Capital Firms

Venture Capital Firms come in all sizes and depending on the amount of the funding you are seeking, that will determine the size firm you should contact. Do not contact a 2 billion dollar firm if you only need $1,500,000 since they probably fund deals greater than $5,000,000. Also, you need to determine in what types of companies do they invest. Do they only invest in biotech, pharmaceuticals, technology or manufacturing companies? A Venture Capital Directory or similar listing service is a good place to start.

Hedge Funds are also a great source for raising capital, even for microcap companies with $1,000,000 or more in gross revenues. Learn more about raising capital from Hedge Funds.

It is best to start your search in your own home state. It is rare that an investor will invest in your company without meeting you and your Management Team face-to-face, so this will lessen the travel burden. Also, Venture Capital Firms can usually give some managerial advice, recommend someone to add to your Management Team and help you with strategic relationships.

Click here for a good resource to locate Venture Capital in your State. I will keep adding to this list from time to time. Also, please contact me if you would like to add your firm to the list.

Try to narrow your search to only those VC Firms that you really feel may be interested in funding your company. This should be based on the amount you are seeking and the type of company in which they are typically making an investment.

Most firms have an online format in which you can submit your Business Plan or a condensed version of only pertinent information. Venture Capital Companies are constantly receiving Business Plans and requests for funding from many companies each month. They have tried to streamline the review process and save time or you and them.

Take advantage of the online submittal process. However, do not submit confidential or trade secret information to them at this time. Submit information about your company to any Venture Capital Company that fits your criteria. This will save you significant time, effort and expense.

Venture Capital Firms, also called Private Equity Firms, can fund large sums of money. If your company is a start-up, development stage or existing company here are some tips you should know.