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I'm currently a manager at a UK-based angel investment network, so I generally see a lot of entrepreneurial proposals and whatnot, so I'd be glad to answer any questions if you guys have any?
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Jan 10, 2013 14:08
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Doctor w-rw-rw- posted:What ideas are overdone, and which ones are big opportunities with strangely little interest? For ideas that are overdone - basically most social networks, or 'one-stop-shop' platforms that claim to integrate every online site you use/need. For obvious reasons, I should think. We actually had a major success story with a new social network, with an interesting idea and a lot of funding raised, but I just can't see the massive user shift away from facebook - unless it's using next level technology. This goes in general too, clone ideas with maybe a spin on the userbase, or other area, just don't get funding anymore. We get a lot of these, and they all come with grand claims; 'The Next Facebook' is one I'm sick to death of hearing, but is quite useful in quickly knowing which proposals will be time wasters (although we always provide feedback and re-submission - rarely outright rejection). For ambitious ideas that might be big, obviously we get less. New p2p type approaches, e-learning (like mentioned earlier in the thread) - especially in developing countries, waste and recycling - cleantech/ethical startups are doing (and will be doing) very well, healthcare in the UK as well, as long as it's money-saves money for the government. My professor at my uni was able to do very well out of this, although not on our platform, with an AI and NLP based approach to medical resources & overspending, to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds. The most recent proposals I've approved have been for Luxury Products and Homes, NHS/Healthcare, e-Publishing, Nanotech, and a weird Prize-winning game. I think one of the biggest and most ambitious ideas I'm waiting for is a 'Reward-based Solution' for encouraging Eco/Ethical behaviour amongst those that currently don't care - as leaving things to those that do, won't work. God knows how it'll be done though. Cynical devs should probably make something neural network based(?) that predicts consumer something something. There's always a market for more precise info like that. Buying habits based on present/future mood/need, perhaps, as opposed to prior behaviour. Honestly, Google Glass passed me by a bit I think.. thanks for the homework assignment. AR will be huge, but I honestly don't think we're anywhere close to it though - but I'd be glad to be proven wrong.
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Jan 11, 2013 16:38
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Drive By posted:I'm founder/CEO of a seed-stage startup that's currently thinking about moving operations to the UK. Could I send you a slide deck and ask for your opinion on how well-suited we are to the investment environment there? If this is too much like work I'll totally understand if you decline. Absolutely, sounds interesting cognitivestudies@gmail.com..
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Feb 6, 2013 19:52
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Toilet Tsunami posted:I know this may be obvious... but within your business plan, make sure you've actually included the loan you're seeking and how/when you intend to pay it back. I've got a friend who is an institutional lender in Toronto and he once worked the retail side. He always said entrepreneurs would come in seeking cash but never articulate how or when they'd have it repaid. The verbiage at the interview will not make its way to the senior loan manager who will make the call on your case. Just thought I'd back this - I have to approve/reject investment proposals fairly often, although we prefer to offer encouragement and revision instead, but this is probably the biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs making.
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Jun 6, 2013 22:54
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