December 27, 2007, 9:29 am

When venture capitalists hate your company

Darwin Widjaja is having little luck approaching venture capitalists, who don't think his Web venture will take off. How have you handled objections from potential investors?

Your Answers
AFrom Simon Ontario, Canada

I think persistence is the key to both finding partners, as well as obtaining capital for growth expansion. No one wants to sink money into a losing venture as there are way too many of them.

Not to say that there are some good ones, but as the old adage persists, it is sometimes luck , and being in the right place at the right time!

Work From Home

Posted By Simon Ontario, Canada : January 3, 2008 10:59 am
AFrom Andy Wilson

I tried to seek investors for my company, but I kept getting put off by investors. They wouldn't give me a yes or a now, just a come back to us in a few months and we'll sit down again. I guess that this is a common tactic used by VCs, who want to monitor the progression of a company before investing.

The main reason that I was seeking capital was to acquire the team, mainly a business development/marketing person.

Since I wasn't able to get capital, I decided to find a team who could contribute sweat equity to get the company to the next level.

I found a web site called Partnerup.com that helped me to find a business partner who had business development and marketing experience. My advice to Darwin would be to put together a rock star team, start really building out the idea, prove that it works, and then go seek money again!

Posted By Andy Wilson : December 31, 2007 4:09 pm
AFrom Javier, Reading, PA

I think the Darwin's idea about starting a social networking site for travelers is a viable and interesting one that has potential for success.

If venture capitalist are not buying it, you must proceed with a do-it-yourself approach, and try to demonstrate, to some extend, that your idea can produce results in term of profits. That way will be easier to convince future potential investors of your business viability. workonline

Posted By Javier, Reading, PA : December 27, 2007 11:34 am
CNNMoney.com Comment Policy: CNNMoney.com encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNNMoney.com may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNNMoney.com the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNNMoney.com Privacy Statement.
  • charles_ellis.04.jpg
    Detroit's churches are plowing millions into redeveloping local housing and businesses. More
  • bplaunch_2009.04.jpg
    These 50 metro areas have all the features entrepreneurs need to thrive. More
  • cozy_with_customer.ju.04.jpg
    Follow our road map to generate game-changing ideas for your business. More
  • winepod_1.04.jpg
    Winepod attracted a wait list of eager buyers and millions from investors. Then came the recession. More
  • wells_fargo__sf.04.jpg
    As other major banks withdrew, Wells Fargo stepped up its small business lending. More
  • lcorona_motorcycle.04.jpg
    Designer Chuck Comeau set up his manufacturing in Plainville -- 240 miles away from a major airport.  More
  • diego_son_printing.04.jpg
    As staffs shrink, business owners are taking on support duties they haven't had to handle in years. More



QHow does a florist sell more in this economy? We changed our business to designing weddings and events only, as the everyday flowers are not selling. We had to throw out too much product at the end of the week -- flowers are perishable! More
Get Answer
- The Flower Lady, Suwanee, Ga.
Sponsors
© 2009 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2009 BigCharts.com Inc. All rights reserved. Please see our Terms of Use.
MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc.
Intraday data provided by Interactive Data Real-Time Services and subject to the Terms of Use.
Intraday data is at least 20-minutes delayed. All times are ET.
Historical, current end-of-day data, and splits data provided by Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data.
Fundamental data provided by Morningstar, Inc..
SEC Filings data provided by Edgar Online Inc..
Earnings data provided by FactSet CallStreet, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com.