Venture Accelerator
The Business Accelerator is a for-profit program intended to bring entrepreneurs with compelling new business plans to the stage where they are highly fundable by investor groups (e.g. angel investors and venture capitalists). We identify the special needs of the Client and wrap a team of hand-picked seasoned executives called Advisors around each Client we bring into the program. We listen to, challenge, and critically evaluate each Client along its path towards maturity (i.e. fundability). We then arrange special introductions to hand-picked investors who are ready for your proposal. Your ‘final grade’ is the quality of the Term Sheet the investor offers for their funding of your business. This program is not easy, but neither is starting a successful new business.
Of special (but not exclusive) interest are businesses in the following areas:
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Clean Tech |
Business Software |
Biomedical |
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Renewable Energy |
Mining Tech |
Communications |
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Security & Safety |
Gaming Tech |
Nano Tech |
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Nutraceuticals & Wellness |
Logistics IT (eg-RFID) |
Photonics |
The suitability of the people involved in the Client business is even more important than the nature of the business itself. We delve deeply into both areas to explore all aspects of the project to determine the potential for success as well as what is missing.
Check out the Clients page to learn what it takes to qualify for this program. You don’t have to be the business founder either. Entrepreneurs always need team members that are looking for a hot startup.
REFERENCES
Every candidate company wishing to be a “Client” in the Venture Accelerator Program must provide a personal reference from a business executive, current or retired. This ensures that they are serious and credible. No application will be considered without having a personal reference.
APPLICATION
The Applicant will submit basic company info, as well as a profile of the proposed business. This application will be reviewed by an “Admissions Committee” for rejection (with reasons given) or recommendation for an Interview. Re-application will only be considered if any “fatal flaws” can be sufficiently demonstrated to have been eliminated.
INTERVIEW
The Applicant Team will be invited to make a verbal presentation of their proposed business to the Venture Council who will evaluate not only the business, but the readiness and suitability of the team members to engage in the Program and their likelihood of successful completion. The Venture Council will then reject (with reasons given) or recommend the Applicant for assignment of a “Client Counselor” which is required for admission to the Program. Key criteria for consideration are: a) success-oriented character traits; b) no “fatal flaws” in the proposed business; c) meets minimum business profile criteria. Re-interview will only be considered if any “fatal flaws” can be sufficiently demonstrated to have been eliminated and all other factors are favorable.
DUE
DILIGENCE
Once the Venture Council deems the Applicant to be suitable for entry into the program, a background check on the Applicant Team and key aspects of their proposed venture will be investigated. Any serious discrepancies or flaws will likely disqualify the Applicant.
PROGRAM
ENTRY
When the Applicant is formally accepted as a Client in the Program they begin intensive development, starting with a kick-off meeting with their Client Counselor and Client Advisor team. A schedule is developed and assignments are given to the Client team. The Advisor team concurrently develops the maturation plan for the Client and the metrics for measuring developmental milestones.
PERIODIC REVIEW
The Client Counselor will review Client progress with his Advisor team every month. Every 3 months an independent (not a member of the Client’s Advisor Team) Venture Council will have the Client team present their status and plans for evaluation of whether or not to continue in the Program. Key criteria for continuance are:
ª Timely development of technical objectives
ª Successful completion of milestones
ª Analysis of Financial Plan
ª Completion of the Client Team
PROGRAM
EXIT
When the Advisor Team deems the Client ready for matriculation the Client Counselor schedules a formal review of the Client with the Venture Council which tests the readiness of the business plan, the Client Team, and the business itself. The key criterion is that everything must be in place to ensure high likelihood of funding at an attractive valuation by institutional investors. When the Venture Council deems the Client to be ready for investment, the Client Counselor will arrange for presenting the Client to suitable investors.
ü Suitable key management team members in place or waiting to be tapped
ü Market is verified as large, growing and ready for a new solution
ü Business model developed with sustainable unfair competitive advantages identified
ü Product or Service test-driven and verified to meet a real need
ü Intellectual Property secured and other barriers to entry established
ü Business Plan refined with conservative projections yielding attractive returns along milestones
If you think you’ve got what it takes to succeed and you’re ready to put your venture on the fast-track to funding then please submit your application to applications@c4cube.com. You may then be asked to interview with our Venture Council for consideration to enter the program or you may be put on a list of available Client team members when the right opportunity comes along.
