Access to capital has long been a necessary ingredient to launching entrepreneurial endeavors. In this section you will find stories, best practices, and connections to a variety of sources of capital.
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This comprehensive guide to federal research and development grants is designed for entrepreneurs, and includes information about the SBIR/STTR programs as well as general grant proposal information. This guide is made available for public use with support from the Kauffman Foundation.
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London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is a credible alternative for U.S. companies looking for a market listing. As with any approach to IPO, U.S. companies should research AIM's advantages and disadvantages for listing compared with U.S. stock markets.
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Venture capitalists play a critical funding role, as entrepreneurial ventures move into the big leagues, but the price these investors extract is often too high. Entrepreneurs should consider the relationship analogous to marrying a mail-order bride and proceed accordingly, according to this comprehensive and entertaining article by two women who co-founded a software company. Tips include advising company owners to build trust with VCs and, until that is established, dealing with them in a way that allows for "a reasonable balance of power."
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Venture capital firms consider key variables in your business plan before committing capital to the project. Prepare your management team to answer the questions discussed here. This article also explains the securities and documents that result from venture capital negotiations.
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In observing Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 Rule, plan on making sure your audience of potential angel investors remembers one thing afterward: what your company does.
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OPIC Financing provides medium- to long-term funding through direct loans and loan guaranties to eligible investment projects in developing countries and emerging markets.
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OPIC provides support for the creation of privately-owned and managed investment funds, which make direct equity and equity-related investments in new, expanding or privatizing emerging market companies.
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OPIC Newsletter highlighting news and events from the Agency
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Political Risk insurance is available to U.S. investors, contractors, exporters and financial institutions involved in international transactions.
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For Terry Gold, preparing for pitching angels is more about demonstrating how your good idea is going to result in a great business than it is about developing documents and presentations.