Startup Funding & Resources RJ Pahura CEO – Venture Connects
Originally from Kansas City - Reside in Chicago Professional entrepreneur and passionate networker Serve on several boards in the Chicagoland area CEO of Venture Connects, LLC – An angel funding platform for small business owners Been apart of 5+ startup companies and also worked corporate America for 10 years Published in Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The Sun Times, Crains Business Journal and the International Times and other notable periodicals
1 st timer vs. seasoned Going from startup to billionaire The Lean Startup Adjusting to business needs Capitalizing from the start Control your vision & path
Tangible & Intangible Your network Strategic partnerships Vendor relationships Barter/Trade Angel groups Startup pitches
You have the entrepreneurial bug Test the theory Choose your partners wisely Come up with a “MVP” Know everything about your idea Be frugal about all monetary spending Plan accordingly Grow and adapt
Traditional / Alternative lending (Debt) Self funded Friends & family (F&F) Extended acquaintances Angel investor Venture capital Crowd funding Other
Why? Full time job to raise money Idea of bringing everything together What we do?
RJ Pahura