MARKETING BUSINESS PLAN TO VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTORS: ABC FOR EXECUTIVE TEAMS BEFORE GETTING STARTED

Abstract

Only a few start-ups looking for growth manage to acquire a first-round venture capital investment for their business idea. This is often due to the fact that the entrepreneurial team may not be able to sell their business idea through to venture capitalists whose selection criteria for new investments are very strict. Central to this selection process from a venture capitalist’s perspective is the business opportunity of the start-up company and the competence of the entrepreneurial team. In addition to a good business plan, the entrepreneurial team has many other important things to consider before starting to use their resources and market a new business idea to venture capitalists or business angels. The credibility of the entrepreneurial team is also enhanced by the fact that they have also looked at their business idea through a scientific framework in order to see and identify the weak points of the business plan before starting to market the business plan.

The purpose of this thesis is to uncover the factors that influence the venture capitalist’s selection process when looking for a new investment target.