Michael D. Moberly, Principal, Founder kpstrat and ‘Business Intangible Asset Blog – Business Intangible Asset Strategies and Risk Mitigator
There is nothing particularly new about the various ‘questions’ which investors – VCs ‘want to hear answers – perspectives’ insofar as differentiating – assessing their ‘invest – don’t invest’ decisions.
The ‘investor questions’ described here and conveyed in the next post @ ‘Business Intangible Asset Blog’ are timeless, often investor-specific, but should never be-taken-for-granted, by a…
- startups’ founder or management team while pursuing – engaging prospective investors, irrespective of their experience, or the project, R&D, product, service, brand, and sector they lead – manage – represent.
What I prefer – what I am hopeful is conveyed here, about each question, is that while each can be conveyed in various ways, with different points of emphasis…
- the manner-in-which I experientially approach these questions, and
- believe it could – should be (good-better-best) framed,
- insofar as inspiring and benefitting readers, ala
- the words I select – apply to try to achieve same, will
respectfully converge to convey a consistent sense of obligation to/for every founder – management team leading an independent or university-based startup and/or early-stage business.
to duly consider, prepare for, and dissect in advance of any presentation to – meeting with prospective investor.
Those assuming – charged with the responsibility to pursue, make presentations to, and meet with prospective investors, are duly obliged to recognize, there may be little to no opportunity for a do-over.
Nor will there likely be opportunities available – offered to those not awarded – receiving investment, to…
- debate the presence, degree, strength, or level of personal + experiential knowhow, commitment, and passion to wholly execute.
Each ‘qualifier’ (described above) will be variously interpreted and assessed experientially, subjectively, comparatively, relatively, and in real time by investors and their investors, whose…
- ‘invest – don’t invest’ decision reflects – accommodates arrays of inherent risks, a growing percentage of which are asymmetric, and may originate ideologically or by technologically at will by sophisticated bad actors, and
- any risk can materialize and cascade at keystroke speeds to variously – irreversibly undermine, devalue, detract, and otherwise stifle forward momentum at substantial cost.
Founders – management teams of startups, et al, are, in my judgement, obliged to recognize their presentations to – meetings with prospective investors whom either may have little or no personal knowledge, aside from what occurs during presentation or in a private meeting, in which time and a competitive arena are routinely conveyed to be premiums.
Therefore, it would be whimsical, perhaps a disservice, and probably deemed self-serving, if I were to portray my perspective – this post to be the arbiter for such important matters.
Rather, I am experientially describing a series of questions and the manner which I have framed same, to be currently + horizonally pressing and relevant which consideration is warranted. Otherwise, ‘proceed at your own risk, but at your own peril’.
The ‘Business Intangible Asset Blog’ is experientially-researched, written, and produced by Michael D. Moberly, to provide perspectives, insights, and additional and sometimes alternative perspectives to readers, ala business leaders, management teams, boards, and investors, etc., to aid in identifying, distinguishing, assessing, valuing, safeguarding, and lucratively – competitively utilizing -applying their ‘mission essential’ intangible assets.
Readers are-encouraged to review and comment on this, and other posts wherein arrays of issues related to business things intangible are authentically and practically-conveyed.
