The Venture Alliance (TVA) is dedicated to providing you with the highest possible success rate in obtaining funding for your start-up, early stage or operating stage company.  In fact, our MISSION is to get you funded.  TVA provides you with a unique combination of experienced, high-level feedback, professional guidance and meaningful introductions to bona fide funding sources not limited by geography or category.

As an entrepreneur, TVA supports you by assessing and improving your company’s value proposition.  TVA has created a uniform screening process for funding sources while creating a “gateway to funding” for entrepreneurs seeking funding.  It provides you with a level playing field and, at the same time, exposes qualified entrepreneurs to not just one, but multiple investor groups or strategic partners simultaneously.  All the while, the dedicated, experienced TVA team guides you through the process.

The first step for you and the “glue” that holds the Alliance together is a proprietary on-line process used by every entrepreneur working with TVA.

Who belongs to the Alliance and why should I care?

TVA’s network of funding sources is anchored by Angel Strategies, one of the most successful angel investor groups in the US .  Added to the TVA mix are venture capital firms, corporate venture funding organizations, and hand-picked investment banks constituting the best organized and one of the largest funding consortia in the U.S.   Funding organizations recognize that TVA’s unique service streamlines the tedious process of screening funding opportunities, allowing them to seriously consider and fund only the best early stage and pre IPO companies.  In addition, TVA provides access to government grants, debt financing, international programs and, for public companies, PIPEs

Through its Alliance and its deep knowledge of the financing landscape TVA is able to satisfy your financing requirements.  TVA members are active in all stages of pre-IPO fund raising, from seed funding and the initial VC rounds, to mezzanine, private equity and even public transition strategies.

While certain sponsoring partner names are provided with this site, all TVA funding partners cannot be listed as this list is both proprietary and defeats the objective of using the TVA system for screening. 

TVA’s management is comprised of experienced, highly knowledgeable professionals. All executives of TVA are former Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists or Investment Bankers who know how to build businesses, analyze business opportunities and as former investors themselves, they know what investors are looking for.

What services does TVA provide?

TVA has unique set of services that maximizes your ability to meet your company’s capital needs.  TVA’s services increase the likelihood of funding by (a) diagnosing deficiencies with in-depth, written feedback, (b) providing access to a customized array of quality resources and mentoring, (c) introducing you to appropriate funding sources when the company is ready, and (d) at your request – ongoing consultation.

TVA’s professional staff and executives are available to answer questions and provide feedback to you on the key strategic directions you may be pursuing.

Does TVA only work within certain industries?

No.  TVA can work with any company that has a capital need and a quantifiable opportunity to provide a meaningful return to investors.  TVA has worked with over 1,500 companies in a wide range of industries including life sciences, information technology, software, wireless, medical devices, retail, food and beverage industry, real estate development, and consumer products.

How is TVA different from on-line matching services?

These firms bear a superficial resemblance to TVA.  Company information is collected and sometimes, if certain criteria are met, the company will be exposed to investors.  These matching service sites are different from TVA in several critically important ways. 

• They do not have staff trained to provide you analysis, counseling, or support.
• They do not proactively and personally introduce you to the funding sources most likely to execute a transaction.
• They do not qualify the companies they introduce.  Consequently, these introductions are not highly valued by funding sources.  At TVA, our reputation is on the line every time we make an introduction – thus it is taken seriously.

How is TVA different from an investment bank?

TVA, will assist you in achieving funding success.  Unlike an Investment Bank, TVA is not driven by the transaction you are seeking when you walk in the door.  Rather, TVA is driven by assisting you to achieve your vision while preserving maximum ownership in the founder’s hands.  THIS DIFFERENCE IS CRITICAL!  Do you realize that by building your value proposition and accepting non-equity capital, you will preserve your economic interests?

Do you know the difference between having a NEED for capital and being READY to ask for it?  It is essential that as a company seeking funding, you are ready for the funding sources you approach and that deficiencies in the value proposition have been addressed.  If not, you will have one of two bad results – either you will not raise the needed funds or you will get a bad deal.

Each funding source in the Alliance has provided TVA with specific information as to their funding requirements including areas of specialization and the minimum TVA Score appropriate for their risk appetite.  TVA is also different from investment banks in that it will not approach a funding source on behalf of an entrepreneur unless the company meets ALL of the requirements for “fundability” as set forth by the member.  

Thus it is critical that you employ a funding advocate like TVA that will:

• Assure that your company’s value proposition presents a compelling case to funding sources.  What most entrepreneurs fail to appreciate is that you really only get that one chance to make a good first impression with a potential investor!  TVA acts as a neutral interface allowing an entrepreneur to stumble with us on a first impression basis without harming the ability to raise capital. 
  
  
• When you are ready – work to obtain funding for you on the most favorable terms available.  A quality introduction is key to a successful funding event!  The vast majority of equity fundings occur as a result of an introduction from within the funding source’s trusted referral network – TVA is a part of that network for its Alliance members as well as a significant swath of the venture and angel investing landscape.

In summary, Investment Banks exist to collect fees.  TVA’s mission is to get you funded.

How do I start the process?

Initiate the process by clicking on the button below.  This will bring you to the TVA submission form, a comprehensive on-line document divided into 12 sections asking over 900 questions.  This document captures the essence of your business’ value proposition as seen through the eyes of an investor.  It requests in-depth information about key elements of your business such as the market, management team, existing relationships and partnerships and intellectual property. 

The TVA submission form is very thorough and takes an average of 10 to 20 hours to complete if you have a business plan in place.  About the time it takes to get ready for an angel group or VC presentation, even though it takes them almost no time to say “NO”.

Click here to learn about the application process and initiate funding.

How long will it take to get my customized report?

You will get your customized TVA Score Report within 15 business days from the submission of your complete company information .  Clearly, receipt of this report is the first step in TVA assisting your company in achieving a funding transaction.

What is included in the customized report?

1.      An overall description of where your company stands followed by a detailed listing of the strengths and weaknesses of your company along twelve key dimensions we have found to be predictive of success.  This will provide you with a path to solidifying your value proposition.

2.      A numeric TVA Score for the company placing the current fundability of your company along the 1,200 point fundability curve.

3.      A radar graph displaying your company’s relative strengths and weaknesses as compared to those of your peer companies along the same twelve key dimensions.

4.      A radar graph displaying your company’s relative strengths and weaknesses as compared to those of your peer companies along the same twelve key dimensions

5.      Referrals to qualified consultants who can help you address needed improvements in your value proposition.

What happens if TVA determines that my company is not ready for funding? 

Only a small percentage of companies are ready for funding now.  On average, only 3% to 5% of companies ever get funded.  There are really only three possible responses you can get on your SCORE report.  The most positive is that we believe you are ready for funding NOW.  The least popular response is that we don’t believe your idea will EVER be ready for funding.  In that case, we hope that our honest assessment will be appreciated.  The most misunderstood answer is a rating of “NEEDS WORK” or “HAS POTENTIAL.” This simply means that TVA believes that you need to polish certain parts of the value proposition BEFORE presenting to any serious investors.

We all know that, when an entrepreneur applies to a VC for funding, the VC has little or no inclination to fix any problems uncovered.  Thus, if the company is not perfect, or not within the VC’s “sweet spot”, VCs will simply pass on the deal without telling you why.

The SCORE report provides a recommended resource for each of the three most prominent needs identified.  TVA offers “best-of-class” consultants because we want to give you the maximum opportunity to get funded.  You will directly negotiate the terms of the arrangement with the consultant including both scope of services and fee arrangement.  TVA simply suggests that you negotiate your best deal with the consultant(s) you have the most confidence in.

In a limited number of cases, at your request, TVA will consider working directly on a consultative assignment.

What resources does TVA provide that can assist me?

You should carefully examine the materials available on the RESOURCES tab in TVA’s web site.  In particular, we have cataloged many of the most critical and common mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them.

What happens if TVA determines that my company is ready for funding?

TVA will make the most appropriate introductions to funding sources either within the TVA Alliance or will represent your company to the broader array of financing sources. Subject to execution of a representation agreement, TVA, or its affiliate, will work with you to prepare appropriate marketing documents and will make introductions to one or more Alliance members as well as other appropriate funding sources.

At your discretion TVA will work with you to assist in the formulation and analysis of term sheets, negotiation of deal terms and other support, to insure you get  to a successful conclusion of due diligence by the investors.

What types of funding does TVA provide?

TVA will work with you to identify the most appropriate funding types.  Remember, that an angel level or VC investment is not always the preferred approach.

Private Equity - TVA has unmatched access to the venture capital and angel funding community.

Public Equity - In some cases, you would be best served by accessing public equity markets through a reverse merger, business development corporation, or PIPE financing structure.  TVA has extensive capability to help arrange for such financings.

Mezzanine - Rapidly growing companies can use this hybrid structure, having characteristics of both debt and equity,to help preserve ownership within the founder group.

Debt - Early stage companies often overlook debt financing – whether secured by purchase orders, receivables, inventory, or other assets .  TVA’s network has the ability to place specialized debt for emerging companies.

Grants - Many companies could be eligible for grant moneys.  Although this funding can come with conditions, you should consider this opportunity since this capital is not dilutive of equity.

Strategic Partnerships - Much larger corporations often will make a substantial payment to enter into a strategic partnering relationship – a payment that does not dilute your equity.  This might include, for example, a company seeking exclusive manufacturing or distribution rights to your product.

How long does it take to get funded?

This is not predictable and is dependent upon many factors including the amount of money and type of transaction sought.  Your company may be asked to meet certain milestones in order to secure a funding round in which case the funding is dependent on the time it takes you to accomplish this task. 

You will be assigned a project manager by The Venture Alliance whose sole responsibility is to keep all interested investors “on the same page” and advance the process as rapidly as is practicable.  At TVA we believe this process and the coordination of it is a significant part of the value you receive when you apply.  As stated before, we exist to get you funded.   

Why does TVA charge for its service?

When you work with TVA we expend significant analytic, consultative and other resources on your behalf.  We take the funding process seriously and we hope that you do as well.  The engagement fee is designed to indicate that you are serious about working towards a successful transaction.

Our expert analysts carefully review every aspect of the company’s business proposition.  As a result of our extensive analysis, you will be provided with a customized Score Report, containing an analysis of your perceived value proposition complete with specific suggestions as to how you can improve your prospects for funding.

The process is designed to uniquely provide you with:

a)  Specific feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your idea as judged by a legitimate funding source;

b)  Introductions to quality resources who can help you accelerate the progress of your company;

c)  At the proper time, multiple introductions to the RIGHT funding sources.

What do I get for my money?

• A long term partner whose mission is to get you funded.
• A personalized experience provided by our experienced staff.
• Access to financing and strategic partnering resources you cannot access on your own.
• As appropriate, introductions to decision makers at the RIGHT funding sources.
• Detailed feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your idea from the perspective of a funding source.

NO ENTREPRENEUR HAS EVER REQUESTED A RETURN OF THE FEE FROM TVA.  We believe that TVA provides more value for the money than any other organization in this arena, and that our service is worth many times the initial fee.  We are confident your experience with TVA will reflect this satisfaction.

What is the advantage of using TVA? / Why would I pay a fee?

The truth is that less 3% of all companies seeking venture funding actually receive it.  Many times, even a business that has the merit and deserves investment, doesn’t receive it.  Business owners are never told why!  Is it because of an easily fixed weakness in the value proposition?  Is it because the prospective investor had a bad experience with a similar company in the recent past?  Is it because the opportunity came to the investor “over the transom” rather than from a trusted advisor?

Only TVA will give you the answer to these questions – and
help you get past them.

The bottom line is that you only get one chance in front of an angel or venture capital investor.  Are you ready? If you are, wouldn’t you pay to have the key to the back door of the private club known as venture capital?  And if you are not – don’t you want to know it – and make the necessary adjustments?

What fee does TVA charge?

The TVA submission fee is dependent on the revenues the applying company has generated over the prior twelve months. The pricing model is:

$1,000 – for pre-revenue start up companies

$1,500 – for companies with revenues up to $2,000,000

$2,500 – for companies with revenues over $2,000,000

Do I have to pay anything else?

TVA’s initial fee covers all services associated with the TVA SCORE report, all introductions to consultants who can help you remediate issues and provides for opportunities to present at a deal review meeting.  If that’s where it stops, there are no further fees involved. 

If TVA decides to offer you access to its national network of funding sources or strategic introductions, additional fees may be appropriate.  Fees for all such introductions are charged on a "fee for performance" basis and you are in TOTAL control of accepting or not accepting these services.  TVA will only offer this to you if we feel you are ready.

Who else has used TVA successfully?

Over the past 4 years, TVA has helped more than 1,000 companies improve their value proposition and increase their chances of getting funded.  Of those companies, a number of them have not only gone on to funding, but become viable, successful companies.  Click here for a sampling of our successes.

Why can’t I do this myself?

You are a subject matter expert at developing and running your business not at raising money.  TVA does not know your business as well as you do but you do not know our business as well as we do!

If you are like most entrepreneurs, you spend a substantial percentage of your time attempting to raise money.  If you are busy raising money you are not busy at building your business.  Ask yourself these questions:

What is the cost to your business if you fail?

What is the cost to your business of the opportunities lost because you were spending time raising money? 

How much time do you really spend and what is the true cost of preparing, assembling, binding, shipping and following up on multiple business plans (sent by overnight delivery services) to multiple funding sources who are unlikely to read them because you can’t get to the decision maker? 

How much does it really cost to be told, “NO”?  You may spend 20 hours preparing for a presentation to an Angel Group or VC.  How long does it take them to tell you “NO”?