We believe that our investment should be used to further the business objectives, not towards expensive perks and compensation. We are committed to support, dedicated, driven and energetic entrepreneurs whose long-term interests are aligned with the investors. We are looking for proposals with clear and measurable milestones and key success factors, which will allow us to measure how the business is progressing.

When assessing your proposal, our due diligence will be focused on the following:

  • Management and team experience, skills and depth
  • Growth potential of project
  • Funding and time required to achieve acceptable growth of business
  • Operational risks
  • Effectiveness of sales and marketing plan


Management

We believe that one of the most important factors in the success of any business is the quality of its management team. We are looking for entrepreneurs with the knowledge, experience and determination to be successful. We are looking for businesses with multidisciplinary management teams that have solid industry expertise, exercise fiscal prudence and have an in-depth understanding of the competitive environment in which they operate.

  • What is the management team's relevant experience?
  • What are the team's academic and professional credentials?
  • What will be the management team's remuneration?
  • Does the team have what it takes to keep the organization goal oriented and motivated to realize its vision?
  • How will you ensure that the interests of management, employees and investors are aligned?


Operations

We are looking for businesses with clearly defined operational plans that include operational forecasts through both the Startup and Initial Expansion phases of the business, and should detail the corresponding requirements for staffing, premises and asset acquisitions. The plans should also provide clear and measureable milestones that can be used to gauge the achievements of the business.

  • What size will your organization be at maturity?
  • How does the product, or service, get to the customer?
  • What is your product or service delivery plan?


Finance

We need to understand how your business will achieve its goals. How should we measure the achievement of the business' goals? What will be the financial requirements of the business to achieve those goals and when will it reach break-even? We also need to be confident that you will exercise responsible cash management in the operation of the business. To do so, you will need to provide realistic financial forecasts that demonstrate what it will take to start and to develop your business.

At a minimum, financial forecasts should cover both the Startup and Initial Expansion phases for the business and should include monthly calculations (3-years) of: Revenue, Expense, Earnings; and Cash Flow.

Sales & Marketing

We are looking for businesses that will become market leaders in clearly defined sectors, by providing solutions to everyday customer needs. We want to make sure that the management team has a thorough appreciation of the market in which it intends to operate. Understanding the products, or services, offered by the competition and their likely reaction to your innovative offering is paramount to laying a solid foundation for your business.

  • Who are the target customers and how will you reach them?
  • What is the size of the market?
  • Who are the main players?
  • What do you expect your market share and revenue will be at maturity?
  • How do customers buy?
  • How much would customers be willing to pay for the service/product?
  • How does the product/service differentiate from existing products/services and how would this benefit the customer?
  • What is the competitive advantage?
  • How sustainable is the competitive advantage?
  • What will inhibit new entrants from entering the marketplace?
  • How does the cost structure of the primary competitors compare to yours?
  • How are the primary competitors likely to react to your product/service?
  • How long will it take for your business to reach maturity?


Restrictions

Although we operate globally, we are currently not interested in investments in the following countries: Russia, China, India and any countries on the USA Embargo list. Notwithstanding our interest in Intelligent Facilities as outlined on the What's New page, we are also not interested in investments in the following industries: Construction, Real Estate and Hospitality.


Your Business Plan Format

You do not need a full-blown business plan to establish a dialogue with us. If you pass the prequalification questionnaire, we will invite you to submit a slide presentation outlining your proposal. Your presentation should have no more than 30 slides and address all of the key attributes of your business, taking into consideration the comments outlined above. After all, if you cannot communicate your idea to us in 30 slides, you also may not be able to convince your customers.

Once we've reviewed your slide presentation, and we like what we see, we will contact you and setup a conference call during which some of our team members will try to gain a more in-depth understanding of your proposal.


Confidentiality

We believe in confidentiality and will treat your information with utmost confidence; however, due to the nature of our business and the volume of proposals we review, we are unable to sign any non-disclosure agreements.