'What Investors Want' - At a macro level investors want to have a breadth of services to allow for asset class diversification, with optimal asset allocation linked to risk-return profile of investment managers and the underlying assets, best of breed architected service ecosystem with specialisation linked to performance track record, strong personal 360 degree investor relationships, communication and reporting.
At a micro level within the VC arena eight key factors in assessing an investment opportunity include: A great team with founder vision, track record/ experience; A large and growing market; Adoption (will the target market buy it? - ideally linked to a difficult problem that is compounding over time); Product status (is it ready for market? Is there a compelling related monetisation model); Protectability (is it easy to replicate); Customer engagement (does it meet customers' needs?); Route to market (is there a distribution go-to-market strategy?); Traction to date and Financial model (when will the firm make money and likely exit route strategy?). There's no silver bullet or magic answer...ultimately investors need to be treated as individuals...for some it will purely come down to risk and delivered returns; while others may also seek a more active role in the journey....
The Entrepreneur Pitches
10 minutes in the hot seat, 5 minutes of Q&A - this is your chance to showcase your business to a room full of investors and delegates in our Dragons' Den style pitch session. This is where you can raise awareness, make connections and attract funding. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to fine-tune business ideas and make strategic connections.
DAD
DAD is the cure to digital disorganisation and provides a means for 100% private & secure sharing of data. A desktop application that indexes all your digital data, providing quick access to rich metadata, and allowing you to manage on your PC, your family and extended family and friends network your photos, music, videos, contacts and other data easily, automatically and privately. Your data is set free to use and reuse, link, associate and share without walls.
Blubox is a successful boutique software development company specialising in innovative hi-resolution image optimisation solutions across all platforms and devices. With a series of successful award winning applications already to its credit the company continues to break new ground and innovation in the mobile, desktop, Cloud imaging sectors.
Money Dashboard (www.mone ydashboard.com) is a free web service that helps individuals and families in the UK to manage their money, whilst also utilising the rich data environment in solving the suitability gap of ‘Needs Aware' financial marketing.
miiCard is a real-time digital identity passport, aimed at driving down the high levels of attrition in online financial marketing. miiCard recently announced a strategic partnership with Yodlee, and won the ‘Best global financial technology start up' at SIBOS in October 2010. Click here to read more
