VentureAlberta Forum members recognize how challenging it can be to obtain funding.  If desired, interested companies can first attend the Forum as a guest to get a better understanding of the process.

I. Submit an Application

The entrepreneur applies to the Forum via the VentureAlberta Fact Sheet.  Along with providing company information, the entrepreneur is also required to submit a 3-page executive summary.

II. Report Card (only upon request by Venturealberta)

VentureAlberta Forum staff contacts the entrepreneur and requests a digital copy of the full business plan.  The VentureAlberta Forum review committee evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the company and provides an overall written evaluation relating to Product, People, Placement, Planning and Financials.  A decision will be made as to whether the entrepreneur should move on to the deal screening.  A completed report card will be given to the entrepreneur.  The report cards will be available at least 4 days prior to deal screening to allow those companies which have been selected for the deal screening to make any necessary adjustments to presentation and business plan content

III. Deal Screening

The top 8 to 10 deals present in front of a screening panel of about 4-7 VentureAlberta members (angels, VCs, and affiliates).  The entrepreneur has 15 minutes to present and answer questions, using no more than 12 PowerPoint slides.  VentureAlberta Forum recommends 8 minutes of presentation followed by 8 minutes of Q&A.  After all presentations have been given, the panel decides on which deals are to present in front of the full forum.  Entrepreneurs are notified of the outcome one week prior to the forum.

IV. VentureAlberta Forum

Typically, the top 3 or 4 deals are selected to present in front of the full forum of approximately 40 (Calgary) and 20 (Edmonton) VentureAlberta members and guests.  The entrepreneur has 20 minutes to present and answer questions.  VentureAlberta Forum recommends a 10-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute question and answer period.  After all presentations have been given, entrepreneurs are excused from the forum and members commence a discussion of the presenting companies.  The Forum passes out a 'gold sheet' for individual members to indicate if they are interested in a company.

V. Due Dilligence

With VentureAlberta Forum as liaison, the entrepreneur connects with individual members who signed the gold sheet and enters into due diligence.

 

The VentureAlberta forum works in much the same way as most angel investor forums: In order to present to the VentureAlberta forum, your company must be a suitable candidate and you must follow the process.

1. The company completes an online application and submits it to the local community where you wish to present. ( If you do not receive an automatic response then please contact us by email).
2. Submitted deals are pre-screened on an ongoing basis.
3. Those deals that are not accepted are notified by email.
4. Those deals that are accepted for screening are notified by email with an invitation to attend and present to the deal screening committee.

1. The screening committee of each community meets once every 6 weeks and reviews 7 to 10 presentations.
   
2. The screening committee consists of a small number of the membership who decide collectively which companies go through to present to the full membership at the next forum.
   
3. In some cases we will recommend a mentor to the company and ask them to reapply at a later date after certain milestones have been reached.
   
4. At the screening committee, presenters are given 15 minutes to make their presentation and answer questions (8 minute presentation and 7 minutes Q&A).
   
5. Presenters typically use power point. We provide a laptop and projector for this.
   
6. Deals that are thought likely to be of interest to the group as a whole are invited to present to the following forum.
   Tips to presenters for the screening committee
   

1. The forum is a more formal meeting with a lot more angel investors present to hear your pitch.
   
2. Typically four presenters make a 20 minute pitch each. (10 minute presentation & 10 minutes of Q&A)
   
3. The presentation consists of a 3 page handout (your application form), your power point and questions and answers. You may also distribute marketing materials and articles of interest.
   
4. After your presentation, an interest list (GoldSheet) is distributed and parties that have an interest sign up.
   
5. After all presenations have been completed, the group reviews the presentations and makes comments. These comments are all noted. Duirng this review we also try to identify a lead investor to lead due diligence.
   
6. After the forum you are informed of the details of those interested parties and all of the comments - the good, the bad and the ugly!
   
7. VentureAlberta will also call you directly to provide feedback.
   
8. There is a fee to present at the forum. Tips for Presenters at the forum.

1. You wll be notified by email with contact details of those members that have shown an interest and would like to perform due diligence on your company.
   
2. It is up to you to follow up diligently with these investors, arrange follow on meetings and provide answers to the questions posed during the due diligence process.
   
3. The VentureAlberta forum is not a broker dealer and cannot follow up with potential investors or arrange meetings or closings for you.
   

1. The due diligence process typically takes from 6 to 8 weeks.
   
2. Due diligence will include reviewing business plans, talking to other investors, customers and meeting with key personnel.
   
3. We ask our members that decide to withdraw at any time to respectfully inform you.
   
4. Once due diligence has been completed then typically the leader will propose a term sheet. You may also propose your own.
   
5. In most cases there are multiple closings - it is up to you to coordinate these with those members that decide to invest.
   Tips for preparing for Due Diligence.
   

1. An investee member should be appointed to act as liaison if there is no member on the board of directors.
   
2. We strongly recommend that you keep your investors informed of your progress on a regular basis.
   
3. Investee companies are invited to return to future forums to give a brief update to the membership as a whole.
   

1. Remember that you are trying to get through to the forum - the objective here is not to get an investment
   
2. Take time to stop and breathe - do not talk non stop. We need time to assimilate the points you are making
   

1. Product Offering (the problem and your solution)
2. Market Description (size, growth rate, segmentation, concentration, etc.)
3. Underlying Technology (including IP Strength)
4. Competitive Analysis (how do you create value over and above competition?)
5. Partners/Customers
6. Marketing/Sales/Distribution Strategy
7. Historical/Current Financial Position; Financial Projections
8. Funding requirements
9. Deal Structure (i.e. type of security offered, capitalization table, etc.)
10. Management Team
    We recommend you listen to Guy Kawasaki’s presentation on Pitching: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/files/pitching.mp3
    

1. Your objective at the forum is to generate enough interest from members for them to want to perform due diligence on you. It is after due diligence that the final decision is made to invest.
   
2. Save the detail for due diligence. Focus on the essentials (see screening committee tips).
   
3. Stop and breathe - give members time to assimilate what you are saying.
   
4. Do not read the power point.
   
5. Power points should be highlights not short novels.
   
6. Use your best sales person to make the pitch.
   
7. Do not go into technical detail - save it for due diligence - it is sufficient to show that you know what you are talking about.
   
8. Make sure you have an interesting value proposition for investors. There are many opportunities out there seeking investor capital
   
9. Show that you are open to listening to advice. No one knows it all!
   
10. Ask for other resources you need. Members have great rolodexes and experience.
    

1. Be prepared with a deck of all your information.
   
2. Be available.
   
3. Make sure potential investors have your cell phone and that you answer it.
   
4. Follow up diligently with answers to questions.
   
5. Follow up with all interested parties as quickly as possible.
   
6. Be sure to have a good corporate securities attorney ready and engaged to prepare the documentation (subscription agreements).

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to look at your deal.