Investor Connect Podcast

In this episode, Hall welcomes Charles Sidman, Managing Partner and Member of ECS Capital Partners.

ECS is a fund that invests in a wide range of enterprises from early-stage Angel start-ups, to later Venture-stage or even public growth companies, focusing completely on investor returns (Internal Rate of Return).

Charles’ career path is vast and includes building computers to becoming a professor and performing scientific research. He is a financially-oriented investor with two filter systems and explains his approach to investing and the four criteria that must be in place in order for him to consider investing.

He is very excited about discovery and application, and investing, participating, supporting and working with companies that are going to change the world and make it a better place.  

Although Charles is an avid traveller and has seen startups all over the world, he sees many similarities amongst them.

He gives advice for both investors and entrepreneurs and speaks about the big changes he sees in the startup industry.


Visit ECS Capital Partners at www.ecs-angels.com 

Charles can be contacted via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/charles-sidman-0b778620/  and via email at csidman@ecs-partners.com 

Direct download: Charles_Sidman_of_ECS_Capital_Partners.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:41pm CDT

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In running a fund it’s important to analyze market segments.

First, evaluate the leading companies in the market.

Are there any leaders that stand out, or are all the companies competing head-to-head with the same approach?

Highlight the supply chain to show who has control of the market -- is it the producer or the consumer that drives the price?

Discuss the introduction of new technology and its impact on the current market equilibrium.  Will it shift control from the producer to the consumer, or vice versa?

Review the number of companies playing in the segment and discuss the resulting fragmentation. 

Highlight the total available market for the companies in the segment. 

Identify companies within the market that stand out for competitive advantages such as network effects, virality, recurring revenue models, etc.

Conclude with a proposal to pursue investment in a company in the market segment.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
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For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Direct download: Startup_Funding_Espresso_--_How_to_analyze_a_market.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:27pm CDT

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Investors in the startup space have a certain expectation for returns. 

Startups raising funding should keep in mind these expectations and only approach them if you have a deal that is in the game for it. 

Venture investors including angels, venture capitalists, and limited partners, typically look for a 20-30 percent internal rate of return (IRR) over a 5-year time horizon. 

This can also be expressed as a“two and a half to four times” the original money invested.

If it takes longer than five years, then investors will look for a 5-10X ROI to maintain a 20-30 percent IRR.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
-----
For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Direct download: Startup_Funding_Espresso_-_Investor_expectations_of_returns.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:16pm CDT

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Fund managers must present their investment ideas to the other general partners. 

Here’s how to analyze a potential company for investment:

Identify a recent event for the target company, such as entering a new market. 

Discuss how the company can disrupt the newly-entered market with their expertise and business model. 

Talk about the positives you see in the company’s financials and market position.

Express caution based on any concerns about the business including product/market fit, management team, or cost structures.

Discuss macroeconomic issues both positive and negative. 

Conclude with a recommendation to pursue an investment based on the positives outweighing the negatives. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
-----
For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Direct download: Startup_Funding_Espresso_--_How_to_Analyze_a_Startup.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:37am CDT

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