Entrepreneur & Business Support

If you ask investors why they have chosen not to invest in a particular cleantech company, the most likely two reasons given are:

▪ Incomplete or weak senior management team

▪ Poorly identified route to market.

The main venture capital firms are currently receiving over 750 proposals a year and they are funding less than 1/2 of 1%. On average, your business proposition has to be better than about 745 others to receive their backing. It sounds daunting, but in reality there are many proposals sent to venture capital firms that are not investor ready. We would like to help you to be part of the 1/2 of 1% that succeed.

Management

All early stage companies need to review their management teams as they evolve and cleantech organizations have occasionally been slow to recognize this issue. We come into contact with a number of experienced individuals that can make all the difference to your business. The support can come in many different guises, such as:

▪ Mentoring the founder, chief executive or other key personnel

▪ Non-executive positions

▪ Interim or project-based assignments

▪ Part-time senior roles, where the company gains from the experience of an individual at a fraction of the cost of a full-time appointment

▪ Full-time appointments

▪ Outsourcing arrangements.

All entrepreneurs have their strengths and weaknesses. One of the factors which differentiates the successful businesses from the large number that fail is the recognition that the senior management team could benefit from being supplemented with temporary or permanent professional input. We have a number of very experienced, senior professionals on our books who can add value in many different ways and which can suit your particular circumstances.

Investors tend to put a lot of emphasis on whether there is experience of successfully growing a business within the management team. If the executive team does not have that experience, then it is imperative that there exists such experience amongst the non-executives. Investors look for this for many reasons, so even if you do not need venture capital backing, you should consider having a Board or senior team that does have the requisite skills as it has been proven that it enhances your chances of success.

If you think we might be able to help you, or you would just like to talk your situation through to see if you are investor-ready, contact Clive Hall at [email protected] or on 020 8870 9345.

Route to market

The route to market is absolutely key for any business and yet a significant proportion of cleantech organizations when presenting to potential investors focus entirely on the technology. Any investor will first look to understand how revenue will be earned and what level can be achieved. If the method of future revenue generation is in any way unclear or potentially at risk, then the investor will switch off very quickly.

We can assist with your business plans and help you to be ready for that pitch to investors. We can also make the introductions or put you in touch with others who are specialists in your particular field. We can also facilitate initial contact with new customers or corporate partners, all of which will improve the chance of your business being successful.

We can also assist with the introduction to investors. This has become an even more important area for clean technology over the last year as the available equity now has to go that much further due to the effect of the “credit crunch”. Investor syndication and cooperation is the order of the day and that brings new challenges.

Some of our events are designed with these issues specifically in mind, especially where we bring together the key players to discuss the topical issues and then provide the networking opportunities. Sometimes though, that is not enough, and a more-focused way forward is required.

Again, if you think we might be able to help you, contact Clive Hall at [email protected] or on 020 8870 9345.