Apple recently announced an additional $25 million investment in three funds that work with minority-owned firms, increasing its support for communities that remain underrepresented in the technology field.
The money would be distributed to Collab Capital, Harlem Capital, and VamosVentures, increasing the technology titan’s venture capital backing for diverse entrepreneurs to $50 million.
The announcement comes more than two years after the Cupertino, California-based corporation first ventured into venture capital investment to support entrepreneurs of color.
A Look into Venture Capital Investments. How to Get One?
Venture capital firms fund new enterprises that do not have access to stock markets and do not have enough cash flow to incur debt. This arrangement can be mutually beneficial because firms obtain the funding they need to start, and investors get shares in promising enterprises.
The first thing to understand is that not all venture capital firms will provide startup money for your company. There are venture capital firms that specialize in a specific type of capital. So do your homework on the capital venture firms that will meet your demands before approaching one.
When an entrepreneur asks for startup money, venture capital organizations have specific requirements. Knowing their needs and determining whether you would fit into what they are looking for is a great strategy to increase the likelihood of your business plan being funded by a VC. You could limit your VC options to a specific group of companies more likely to adopt your proposal.
Some venture capital firms will only invest in companies or businesses close to their headquarters. So you might want to restrict your choice to VCs not concerned with location, or, on the contrary, you could look for a credible VC in your area.
Aside from geography or proximity restrictions, seek venture capital firms with experience in your sector. For instance, check if they already have an existing or former portfolio of companies in the same industry as your planned venture. You might check the company’s records to see if and how the VC was able to assist the other businesses. This gives you the trust that the VC can support you with your project.
If you are looking for a local venture capital business how can you find one that is trustworthy? Inquire around. You’d be shocked how many people in the community, such as lawyers and accountants, are familiar with venture capital businesses. They can provide information about the venture capitalists’ characteristics and experiences.
Apart from asking around, there are published papers where you can see their managed portfolio of companies. You might look at the company website or speak with someone at the companies in the portfolio. If a VC firm’s portfolio demonstrates that they have had significant success with similar businesses, there is a good chance they will invest in your business proposal.
When meeting with a CEO or officer in a company of the VC’s portfolio, ask how the venture capital company is managing its relationship with them. When looking for a venture capital firm, look for one that maintains good communication and profitable relationship with its portfolio of companies.
VC firms are frequently comprised of a group of investors or affiliates of an insurance company or bank. You can also inquire about the partners of these venture capital firms.
Do not be afraid to inquire about a venture capital firm’s reputation. To put it another way, if you apply with them, they will undoubtedly inquire about you and your background. In the same way, it would be reasonable to learn if they are conducting their business properly before entering into any commercial connection and signing any business agreement.
Another factor to evaluate would be the venture capital firm’s assets, to understand the solidity of the company.
Even if you are only considering applying for startup money from a venture capital firm, do not rule out the prospect of receiving expansion capital or second-stage funding from them.
In some ways, it would be advantageous for you to take someone with experience on board, even though at the cost of giving away part of the control of your business. You would have further eyes and someone skilled to monitor the progress of your firm.