Top 6 Questions Venture Capitalists And Angels Ask
So you founded your start-up, raised your initial funding and already acquired some customers. Time for raising some serious funding to get your company to a new level? There are a few obvious yet crucial questions you need to be ready to answer before you talk to any angel or venture capitalist. While the list can go on forever, there are top 6 questions that Richard Allan Horning identified. Richard is one of the most highly regarded Silicon Valley attorneys with over 40 years of experience representing technology companies. (Check our previous post where Richard shares his insight on patents.)
Don't Diss Patents As An After-Thought
One often hears that European mentality does not regard patents as important as folks in the US. One of the signifiers: patent and copyrights laws in any European country are much less extensive than those in America. While this might seem trivial, this fact is relevant for technology start-ups. We talked with Richard Allan Horning, one of the most highly regarded Silicon Valley attorneys, about patents and why they are important. Richard has been representing technology companies since 1970. His clients vary from early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 multi-nationals. Today Richard spends a significant part of his time helping Northern European companies expand to US.
Open For Applications: Elevator Pitch Contest
Update: The deadline is extended until May 13th.
The conference agenda can now be downloaded from the event home page (or use this PDF direct link).
ArcticStartup is proud to present an opportunity for all Baltic and Nordic startups to connect with and pitch to venture capitalists and compete for great prizes.
In alignment with the Second Annual Tallinn Conference organized by The International Technology Law Association in collaboration with Enterprise Estonia, ArcticStartup is cooperating to organize an Elevator Pitch Business Plan Contest with support from Connect Estonia. The contest is held in Tallinn, Estonia on May 26, 2009.
Prizes:
- One full day of law consulting with Fish & Richardson P.C., Silicon Valley, worth $6000. The prize can be used as the winner wishes, e.g., to incorporate a subsidiary to establish operations in Silicon Valley. The consultation can be done in person or by Skype or Polycom video. Consultation with the Munich office of Fish & Richardson P.C. may also be included, subject to availability and requirements of the contest winner.
- One full day of law consulting with Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP, worth $3000, to be used as the winner wishes. The consultation can be done in person (location negotiable) or by Skype or Polycom video.
The jury:
- Martin Hauge, Managing Director, Creandum, Stockholm
- Allan Martinson, Managing Director, MTVP, Tallinn
- Artturi Tarjanne, Managing Director, Nexit Ventures, Helsinki
- Rick Marshall, Managing Director, Intelligent Capital, San Francisco
- Sten Tamkivi , Chief Evangelist, Skype, Tallinn
- Ott Parna, Managing Director, Estonian Development Fund, Tallinn
- Richard Allan Horning, Principal, Fish & Richardson P.C., Silicon Valley
Growth-oriented technology startups from all Nordic and Baltic countries are welcomed to apply. Five firms will be selected to present a 5-minute pitch at the event. The judging criteria include the expected success of the firm, growth potential, differentiation and competitive advantage, risk and financial viability, and the management team.
Please note the contest rules and other information in the Invitation. Any questions about the contest can be sent to miikka(at)arcticstartup(dot)com.
The applications must be based using this form.
Please send your application to events(at)arcticstartup(dot)com latest by May 13th 6:00 PM EET. Finalists will be announced on May 14th.
Coaching and training for preparing the pitches are available to all chosen finalists prior to the contest, provided by Connect Estonia and members of the International Technology Law Association Luiga Mody Hääl Borenius and Raidla Lejins & Norcous, either online, in Tallinn, or in the participants' home country, depending on possibilities.
