Both Sides of the Table

article thumbnail

Are Business Plans Still Necessary?

Both Sides of the Table

In an era of “launch and learn&# is there a need for a business plan? I have seen really great product people espouse the death of the business plan. So, definition: when I talk about a business plan I’m not talking about a 40-page Word document outlining your market approach.

article thumbnail

How Much Should You Raise in Your VC Round? And What is a VC Looking at in Your Model?

Both Sides of the Table

Let me check my plan.” There are many things a VC is looking for in reviewing your business plan but beyond things the like the quality of revenue, margins, OPEX and CAPEX there’s a really simple rule I call, “Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved.” We’d love to see you again when you have a little bit more traction.”

Burn Rate 247
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

The Audacious Plan to Make Electricity as Easy as WiFi

Both Sides of the Table

Meredith Perry came up with the idea for uBeam while still in college at University of Pennsylvania and like many great inventors won her school’s business plan competition. It turns out that while she had the right idea the materials needed some reworking to come in at the cost structure required to build a business at scale.

article thumbnail

Why Early-Stage VCs Should Be Careful About Intros from Bankers

Both Sides of the Table

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? Otherwise you’re a stock picker, which in this business isn’t a good thing. .” They do this because they have amazing skills at writing business plans.

article thumbnail

The Importance of Proprietary Deal Flow in Early-Stage VC

Both Sides of the Table

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? Otherwise you’re a stock picker, which in this business isn’t a good thing. They do this because they have amazing skills at writing business plans. With which other investors?

Deal Flow 347
article thumbnail

How to Improve Your Odds of Getting to Yes with a VC — “Land and Expand”

Both Sides of the Table

Building models to evaluate the deal and/or reviewing customer files, company financials, business plans, etc.

article thumbnail

Brad Feld Drops Knowledge. Here’s What He Said …

Both Sides of the Table

It’s interesting that the question is pitch deck’s being obsolete versus business plans being obsolete. So very few investors want Business Plans any more. The value of Pitch Decks; Brad’s personal preferences on deal presentation; and Brad’s practice of accepting cold approaches via email.