We will talk with Balz Roth, is a professional Business Angel, investor and board member for SMEs and technology startups. Various successful exits of technology startups to companies like Intel (Lemoptix), Monolithic Power Systems (Sensima) and Everyware (Safe Swiss Cloud). Balz is also a Venture Partner at Go Beyond, an international business Angel Network.

1. Smart Fundraising for Startups
sparksense.co

2. sparksense.co
We are passionate to help Entrepreneurs grow their
top line, raise money and build partnerships.

3. sparksense.co
We are passionate to help Entrepreneurs grow their
top line, raise money and build partnerships.

4. sparksense.co
Plenty of dry powder

5. sparksense.co
o Fundraising for Startups
o Investors view and expectations
o Fundraising is linked to exit
Our focus for today

6. sparksense.co
Professional Angel investor and board member for
technology driven SMEs and startups.
Various sucessful (and failed) exits ( 1.2x – 14x returns)
Balz Roth
Business Angel and
Coach
Our guest speaker today

7. sparksense.co
o Typical company profile for a 3rd party equity investment
o Achievements and track record for Seed vs. Series A
o When is a good time to talk valuation?
o When do convertible loans make sense?
o Product vs. Licensing business model
Timing / Risk & Return expectations

8. sparksense.co
o Typical company profile for a 3rd party equity investment
o What achievements and track record for Seed vs. Series A?
o When is a good time to talk valuation?
o When do convertible loans make sense?
o Product vs. Licensing business model?
Valuation

9. sparksense.co
o Most M&A transactions are in the
$ 10 – 30m
o The first $10m - 30m value is the
easiest to create
o But $10 - 30m exits are most likely
incompatible with VC’s
Example
A VC needs to apply >$5m for ca. 30% of the
company and expects a 10x -> $150m exit
required! Possible?
Timing / Risk & Return expectations
Source: Basil Peter

10. sparksense.co
o How much Bootstrapping is good for business?
o Customer-driven funding
o Non-dilutive sources and grants
o Business Angels vs. VC sweet spots?
o How / when to engage with a Strategic investor?
Sources of funding

11. sparksense.co
o How to approach investors best?
o Balancing Business, Pitching & accelerators
o What is a good “Lead” Investor?
o European vs. China vs. US Investors
o Exit preparation
Investor marketing

12. sparksense.co
Q&A

13. sparksense.co
o Understand the investment/risk profile of different investors
o Know what’s needed to become an acquisition target
o Be realistic, don’t overvalue what you have
Takeaways

14. sparksense.co
o The customer funded business | John Mullins
o Against the Gods, the remarkable story of risk |
Peter L. Bernstein
o The Maslow business reader | Abraham H. Maslow
Getting deeper

15. PARTNERS FOR GROWTH
sparksense.co
Contact us
Herve@sparksense.co