The Great Startup Game

How to Use Creative Financing to Launch and Grow Your Startup

2009-09-18T13:36:23-07:00

How I Learned to Stop Waiting for Investors and Start Building Companies

If you're finding it tough to find startup capital why not learn how those Inc 500 entrepreneurs did it? Stop playing the Chump's Game today.

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Angel Investors: South East

2009-09-13T18:16:25-07:00

The Network of Business Angels & Investors of Atlanta, Georgia

The Network of Business Angels & Investors (NBAI.net) is a membership group that provides a safe haven for new accredited investors and seasoned sophisticated investors to socialize and consider qualified vetted private investment opportunities. Launch Funding Network (http://LAUNCHfn.com) is a strategic advisory firm helping entrepreneurs master the art of raising capital and producing events that give stand out companies the opportunity to pitch their investment opportunity to motivated angel investors.

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.

Entrepreneurship: Brits Get Rich in China

2009-09-13T17:23:45-07:00

Brits Get Rich in China

If you enjoy reality type television about entrepreneurs on the make, check out this one hour long British documentary on three British businessmen who go to China to make their fortune. All three are very interesting characters. One is a profane street smart seller of kitchen counters and cabinets back at home who needs to get his costs down by working with Chinese suppliers. Another has been forced to shut down his UK-based pillow factory after basically being driven out of business by low cost competitors. He now tries to re-enter the business by building a factory in China with investor capital. The last man is quite the character. He's a retired British army officer in his 70s who smugly believes everything will go his way simply because he's British, old chap. Wot?! Are you suggesting it won't? To find out who succeeds and who doesn't, kick back and watch this.

Brits Get Rich in China Part 2

Brits Get Rich in China Part 3

Brits Get Rich in China Part 4

Brits Get Rich in China Part 5

Brits Get Rich in China Part 6

Brits Get Rich in China Part 7

The Smart Startup Guide: Creative Financing for Startups

2009-08-29T20:50:04-07:00

This is the first chapter from the creative financing manual The Smart Startup Guide.

AVC Smart Startup Guide

Invest in your copy today and receive a $30 bonus. Click here.

Colorado's Marijuana Economy: An Explosion of Ganjapreneurship

2009-08-27T09:24:40-07:00

I found this interesting on the Atlantic Monthly site. It's a good short read for a break.

What can only be rightly described as an explosion of ganjapreneurship is currently underway in Colorado, sparked by the Obama Administration's new policy announcement in February, which directed federal agencies to defer to state law enforcement on the issue of medical marijuana.

Colorado's Marijuana Economy: An Explosion of Ganjapreneurship

Angel Investors: Angel Investor Capital at its Lowest in 10 Years

2009-08-20T07:51:35-07:00

The NY Times reports that angel investor capital is at its lowest point in ten years. This should come as no surprise to any serious entrepreneur considering the state of the economy and market for IPOs.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP is as vibrant as ever in the American economy, but the capital that finances new companies is still in retreat. Venture capital is running at the lowest levels in more than a decade, and angel investors, who invest in far smaller companies than venture capital funds do, are holding back, too.

The reasons for the cutbacks begin with the recession. Angel investors — typically individuals with more than $1 million who join together to back start-up companies — have seen their net worth decline. And these days, many angels find they need to offer additional support to companies they’ve backed in previous years, rather than take on new commitments.

Then too, payoffs seem farther away. “The exit strategies are more difficult, public offerings are really not available, and acquisitions of small companies by large ones are fewer these days,” said Alfred E. Osborne Jr., senior associate dean of the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a founder of its entrepreneurship program.(source)

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.

Raising Startup Capital: Lessons from a veteran entrepreneur

2009-07-28T11:58:55-07:00

Automotive industry entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin is on the hunt for money for his latest venture. This is an interesting documentary by the son of an aging entrepreneur who just won't quit.

This is the notorius Bricklin. One of the ugliest cars ever built.

Warning: Salty language advisory.

America's Most Trusted Newsman: Jon Stewart

2009-07-23T09:38:30-07:00

The other day the great Walter Cronkite died who I had the privilege of watching on the 6 o'clock news when I was a kid. Everyone knew that you could trust Walter. Then after he retired in 1980 journalism started going downhill slowly. The deterioration accelerated in the 1990s. The situation is so bad today that I can no longer watch MSM ("main stream media"). Now Jon Stewart is the most trusted newsman in the country, and here's an example of why that is.

If we should ever lose Jon, we will be in deep trouble as a nation.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

The Born Identity

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Joke of the Day

Small Business Loans: SBA ARC Loans

2009-07-16T13:31:05-07:00

This is from the SBA. If the new owner is struggling with making payments debt, he might be eligible for an ARC Loan.

Lenders Can Help America’s Small Businesses Recover with SBA’s ARC Loans

By: US Small Business Administration

Lenders play a critical role in the health of the American economy, and are especially vital to small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration is implementing a special, temporary loan program you can use to help struggling American small businesses while reducing your risk during these tough economic conditions.

Under authority provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (signed Feb. 17, 2009), SBA has designed a deferred-payment loan program to help small businesses make payments on existing debt.

Section 506 of the Recovery Act authorized SBA to help viable small businesses make payments on existing small business debt. The America’s Recovery Capital, or ARC Loan Program, is designed to give viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship some temporary financial relief so they can keep their doors open, refocus and get their cash flow back on track. ARC loans are available through SBA-approved small business lenders and have been authorized through Sept. 30, 2010, or until the appropriated funds run out, whichever comes first.

Non-SBA lenders can become ARC lenders. Contact your local SBA district office for information and training. You can find the nearest SBA district office at www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.

Loan structure

An ARC loan is a deferred-payment loan of up to $35,000.
ARC loans will be used to make up to six months of principal and interest payments on qualifying loans for existing viable for-profit small businesses in the United States.
Disbursement period (up to six months) is followed by 12 months with no repayment of the ARC loan principal, followed by a repayment period of five years. SBA pays monthly interest to the bank.

How lenders benefit

Reduced Risk: 100 percent guaranty provides greater security and confidence to lend.
Guaranteed Interest: SBA will pay monthly interest to the lender at reasonable rates throughout the term of the loan.
Conventional, commercial business loans (and SBA-guaranteed loans made on or after Feb. 17, 2009) are an eligible use for ARC loan proceeds.
Proceeds may be used to pay on mortgages, secured and unsecured loans, lines of credit and credit cards if the debt was used for eligible business purposes under the program.
SBA turnaround on non-delegated loan applications – expected within five to ten business days.
Access to E-Tran, SBA’s electronic application process available to SBA delegated lenders.
Existing SBA lenders are eligible to make ARC loans and delegated lenders may make ARC loans on a delegated basis.

How the community benefits

SBA loans help build and retain community businesses, create jobs and stimulate economic activity.

How small business owners benefit

ARC loans are interest-free to the borrower, have deferred payments for 12 months, and have no SBA fees associated with them.
ARC loans will allow borrowers to redirect cash flow from making loan payments to investing in their businesses.
Banks will begin investing in small businesses again, making credit more readily available for those businesses that need it.
Streamlined applications by SBA.

SBA loan programs now provide greater incentives to you the lender, are more affordable for small business owners, and help to drive economic recovery in your community.

For more information, click on www.sba.gov/recovery.

All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.
U.S. Small Business Administration • Recovery Act: Lenders Can Help Small Business with ARC Loans • 2

Advice from Dragon's Den Doug Richard - 6 Rules for Startups

2009-07-08T12:34:55-07:00

Short, concise yet meaty advice.

Free Marketing Course: Jay Abraham Part 1

2009-06-24T11:14:36-07:00

This is the 1st of a 5 part talk by Jay Abraham on marketing. Feel free to miss the 3.5 minute intro by T Harv Eker.

Free Marketing Course: Jay Abraham Part 2

2009-06-24T11:10:44-07:00

This is part 2 of Jay Abraham's free marketing talk.

Free Marketing Course: Jay Abraham Part 3

2009-06-24T11:09:12-07:00

This is part 3 of the free Jay Abraham marketing talk.

Free Marketing Course: Jay Abraham Part 4

2009-06-24T11:07:33-07:00

This is part 4 of the free Jay Abraham marketing talk.

Free Marketing Course: Jay Abraham Part 5

2009-06-24T11:05:49-07:00

This is part 5 of the free Jay Abraham marketing talk.

Angel Investors: Washington State

2009-06-23T12:31:57-07:00

This angel investor blog emanates from the Great Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington State.

The blogger is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor who shares his experiences and lessons with entrepreneurs.

Find out more about this Washington angel investor blog.

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.

Angel Investors: Alaska InvestNET

2009-06-18T11:44:24-07:00

Alaska has its own angel investor network, InvestNet, in Anchorage.

Alaska InvestNet strives to create a world-class private equity and entrepreneurial environment in Alaska. We attract, educate and connect entrepreneurs, angel investors, service providers and venture capitalists. Together, we work to energize Alaska’s economy by enhancing the number and quality of early-stage equity investments in local companies, creating wealth for investors and jobs for Alaskans.

In an effort to strengthen Alaska’s startup economy, AIN is committed to the following goals:

Deliver effective, high-quality private equity education programs for both entrepreneurs and investors;
Coach and mentor top-tier entrepreneurs seeking risk capital;
Provide a structured forum for start-up companies to present their business opportunities to early-stage investors;
Increase the number of angel networks and angel investors throughout the state, providing organizational support, professional guidelines and investment opportunities;
Partner with organizations statewide to build infrastructure that attracts and generates better investment opportunities throughout Alaska.

You can contact this Alaska angel investor network.

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.

Angel Investors: How Angel Investors Should Look for Deals

2009-06-17T20:15:50-07:00

How to get into quality deal flow as an angel investor.
How to be an angel investor

This is worth watching because it helps you to understand how angel investors operate, network, and find deals.

Angel Investors: Funding Universe (Utah)

2009-06-17T13:08:50-07:00

Angel investor network Funding Universe invests in Utah startups.

At FundingUniverse, we are in the process of doing an intense research study on the current Utah angel investment market. We are partnering with the heads of each of the angel groups to gather the information. Here is a quick teaser on more information to come:

93 Utah investors surveyed
49 investors said that they are still actively investing (52.69%)
2 investors said that they were syndicating deals, but not leading any new ones (2.15%)
21 investors said they are no longer investing (22.58%)
21 investors said that they are not making any investments outside their current portfolio (22.58%)

I have spoken to several people about this survey and have received drastically different responses. One of the questions that I have is: given the current state of the economy, are those statistics more optimistic or less optimistic that you had expected?

Contact Brock Blake of the angel investors network Funding Universe.

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.

Angel Investors: Micro Funding

2009-06-17T13:02:19-07:00

Angel Investors microFunding brings together investors, managers, and inventors.

microFunding is a wholly new way to help fund great business ideas. It really increases the chances of finding money for an idea, and making it into a serious business success. The rewards are based upon the well proven formula of at least ‘30 for the inventor, 30 for the investor and 30 for the management’.

Inventors are motivated to share their ideas securely and confidentially

Managers are motivated to put their time and reputation behind only great ideas with a real chance of succeeding, and his rewards arrive only on a profitable exit – and the sooner the better for everyone!

Investors are motivated to invest in ideas backed by experienced managers offering a lower risk/reward ratio.

Contact angel investors microFunding.

Just remember that all investors want to back concepts with real traction, not just an idea presented in a business plan. Learn How to Close Deals With Angel Investors.