Startups

Raising money

Raising even a small amount of money from investors can take months of effort and hundreds of meetings. If just the thought of fundraising gives you heartburn, you are not alone. Doing it wrong, getting ripped off, or simply failing can jeopardise your company and your future. Pitching investors is simply not something most business owners do well. Fortunately, fundraising is not something you have to do alone. Investment bankers and other consultants can plan and execute a capital campaign for you. In fact, a reputable fundraising intermediary will likely speed up the process, reduce your risk, and get a better deal for you, all while you are diligently running your business. IBC Rosemberg Finance has an enormous database of potential investors with exact specifications of the types of companies he/she wants to invest in (including for example the amounts and the type of industry). This makes it easier for us to connect the entrepreneurs to investors. Small-business owners are constantly faced with deciding how to finance the operations and growth of their businesses. Do you borrow more money or seek other outside investors? The decisions involve many factors including how much debt the company already has on its books, the predictability of the company’s cash flow, and how comfortable the owner is in working with partners.

Debt or Equity?

Debt Financing. Borrowing money to finance the operations and growth of a business can be the right decision under the proper circumstances. The owner doesn’t have to give up any control of his business, but too much debt can inhibit the growth of the company.

Advantages

  • Retain control. When you agree to debt financing from a lending institution, the lender has no say in how you manage your company. You make all the decisions. The business relationship ends once you have repaid the loan in full.
  • Tax advantage. The amount you pay in interest is tax deductible, effectively reducing your net obligation.
  • Easier planning. You know well in advance exactly how much principal and interest you will pay back each month. This makes it easier to budget and make financial plans.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Debt financing has its limitations and drawbacks.

  • Qualification requirements. You need to have a good enough credit rating to receive financing.
  • Discipline. You’ll need to have the financial discipline to make repayments on time. Exercise restraint and use good financial judgment when you use debt. A business that is overly dependent on debt could be seen as ‘high risk’ by potential investors, and that could limit access to equity financing at some point.
  • Collateral. By agreeing to provide collateral to the lender, you could put some business assets at potential risk. You might also be asked to personally guarantee the loan, potentially putting your own assets at risk.

Deciding FactorDeciding factors

  • How important is it for you to retain full control of the business?
  • How important is it to know precisely what you’ll owe in monthly payments?
  • Are you comfortable with making regular monthly payments?
  • Are you able to qualify for debt financing? How is your credit history? Do you have a good credit rating?
  • Do you have collateral you can use? Are you comfortable with using it?

Equity Financing. With equity money from investors, the owner is relieved of the pressure to meet the deadlines of fixed loan payments. However, he does have to give up some control of his business and often has to consult with the investors when making major decisions. In the case of higher amounts, Rosemberg’s approach provides companies with fast and direct access to public capital without having to go through a complex and costly process to obtain a listing. This means that companies that are in an early investment phase will also have other funding options than only through venture capital or private equity.

Advantages

  • Less burden. With equity financing, there is no loan to repay. This offers relief in several ways. First, the business doesn’t have to make a monthly loan payment. This can be particularly important if the business doesn’t initially generate a profit. This also frees you to channel more money into growing the business.
  • Credit issues gone. If you lack creditworthiness—through a poor credit history or lack of a financial track record—equity can be preferable or more suitable than debt financing.
  • Learn, gain from partners. With equity financing, you might form partnerships—informal, perhaps—with more knowledgeable or experienced individuals. Some might be well connected. If so, your business could benefit from their knowledge and their business network.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

  • Share profit. Your investors will expect—and deserve—a piece of your profits. However, it could be a worthwhile trade-off if you are benefiting from the value they bring as financial backers and/or their business acumen and experience.
  • Loss of control. The price to pay for equity financing and all of its potential advantages is that you need to share control of the company.
  • Potential conflict. Sharing ownership and having to work with others could lead to some tension and even conflict if there are differences in vision, management style and ways of running the business. It can be an issue to consider carefully.

Deciding factors

  • If your creditworthiness is an issue, this could be a better option.
  • If you’re more of an independent solo operator, you might be better off with a loan and not have to share decision-making and control.
  • Would you rather share ownership/equity than have to repay a bank loan?
  • Are you comfortable sharing decision making with equity partners?
  • If you are confident that the business could generate a healthy profit, you might opt for a loan, rather than have to share profits.

Our Approach

Each company is unique. One-size-fits-all approaches will never help your business reach its full potential. We deliver custom solutions, tailored to you – your industry, your culture, your one-of-a-kind challenges.

Thoroughly review your company for investors

At IBC Rosemberg Finance, we will make sure that we thoroughly review your operations and financial results to make sure that your company is ready for professional investors and strategic partners. In order for our staff to effectively go over every detail, it is best for us to know everything about your company from the very start so we can ensure you are fully prepared to start working with investors. That way IBC Rosemberg Finance will be able to help you improve your position.

Prepare documents to help inform investors

At IBC Rosemberg Finance, we, and our partners, work with a document called a “deal book” which is a quick and efficient way for investors to review operational results as well as any other corporate document relevant to help your business appeal to investors. This deal book usually includes a business plan and a private placement memorandum (PPM). The business plan, PPM and the other essential documents have to be provided by you. For IBC Rosemberg Finance to help close a deal as quickly as possible, it is helpful to explain the strategy, marketing and allocation of the money you need. This will allow us to create the best deal book for your company and achieve the best results.

Discuss your goals and targets in depth

We at IBC Rosemberg Finance will thoroughly discuss your goals and targets, such as what kind of investors, strategic partners and stock brokers will be of most help to your business. In order to achieve success, we set realistic goals and discuss how your company can achieve these. Whether it is approaching local targets or global venture capitalists or whether there are companies that can provide your business with a loan, we will ensure you consider your options carefully.

At IBC Rosemberg Finance we also estimate key investment metrics to help you appeal to investors. We are always honest with our clients, keeping in mind what is best for your business and in order to help you understand the investor’s point of view.

Reach out to investors

When we have enough information about your business, IBC Rosemberg Finance. will start reaching out to investors, stock brokers or strategic partners. We have worked hard to set up good relationships and a large network to help introduce your business to the right people. Knowing that most investors take several weeks to respond to your inquiries, we will work earnestly to keep selling your opportunities to these investors until a deal can be made.

With this in mind, you and your business will have to be prepared for face-to-face meetings with investors. Since they are taking a chance on your business, you’ll want to represent yourself and your company in the most professional way possible. Investors are not only getting to know you and your business – you are also getting to know them, so you will want to be fully prepared for face-to-face meetings.

Help you in closing the deal

While we will strive to help you along every step of closing a deal with investors, there may be a point where we at IBC Rosemberg Finance are unable to help you. Closing the deal is a serious undertaking and IBC Rosemberg Finance might not fully possess all the skills required. Usually, a specialised attorney, a valuation expert and an accountant will be required when finalising the deal. It is important that you “paper over the deal” in a careful and professional matter, as it may influence how it is viewed by the Tax Authorities, the Financial Authorities and other stakeholders.