Bank of America has a website called Small Business Online Community, the mission of which is to “create a thriving online community that empowers people in building a successful business.” A few weeks ago, a gentlemen called me, after reading some of my posts on IndianaStartup.com and interviewed me regarding the raising capital and potentially giving up control in the process. The article, which you can find in its entirety here, is pretty good, and give some interesting perspectives (other than just mine).
Here are some excerpts quoting yours truly:
Still, Indiana business attorney Brian Powers, who also runs the blog http://Indianastartup.com, points out that such a power-sharing arrangement can work-it just depends upon the individual circumstances of the parties involved. “Investor control is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you have a young business that will be gaining partners that have greater industry expertise and business connections than you do,” he explains. But if a business owner can’t take an emotionally detached look at his company’s real long-term needs, he or she might be better served by bringing in a third party to help facilitate offers and find the best match. “That’s what I often do,” Powers explains. “I end up helping companies through the process of figuring out that what they’re usually being offered is a pretty good tradeoff for the money.”
What helps Powers assess what is or isn’t a pretty good tradeoff is the fact that he’s been on the other side of the table. “In 1998, I was part of a dot-com startup company that raised $1 million in capital through an equity round,” he explains. “Back then, though, we got ridiculous valuations and didn’t have to give up control to get it. Those days are long gone now.” For a short primer on these valuations and their role in determining equity investment, check out Powers’ blog: http://indianastartup.com/business-funding/raising-venture-capital/raising-venture-capital-how-much-should-you-give-up/.)
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