Do you know how to create pro forma financial statements, key metrics, and calculate valuation, dilution, and ROI? How many strategic financial planning models have you created? One, two, none? Building a strategic financial planning model, determining cash flow, capital needs, founder dilution, and ROI is one of the most difficult parts of dealing with investors and raising capital. We’ll cover high-level issues related to financial modeling this week, breaking the model int

Your chances of persuading your audience and raising capital plummet if you can’t pass the Straight Face Test, presenting yourself as trustworthy and competent. So, what do you need to do to pass the Straight Face Test? You need to be grounded, both intellectually and emotionally. Doing one or the other alone will fail. Intellectually Grounded: Competent To be intellectually grounded, you need to be rock solid about your business idea, proposal, and plans. That means understa

Can you pass the Straight Face Test? If not, your chances for raising capital plummet. Why? Because your face reveals to your audience how you’re feeling when you’re interacting with them. If you're not 100% on your game, investors will read that and shut you down. What is The Straight Face Test? For your first meeting with a Venture Capital team, let’s assume that you’re well groomed, have no dog hair on your beautiful suit, introduce yourself with a genuine smile, and give

I can’t stand it! Every day our CEO gets excited, comes up with three or four new ideas, and wants me to make them an immediate priority. She thinks that each one is vital to our success, but she has no idea how much time or resources it takes to get even one of them done. And what do I do with the things that I’m already working on?! Have you ever said those words or heard someone else say them? Many CEOs operate much of the time being in the clouds. But as much as a detail-