Finding Investors

pclancy

Is there anywhere easy to look for people that have a bit of money to invest and want to buy shares in companies? Im trying to get financial backing for something and the banks arent looking to interested but im sure if i found the right person they could be convinced?

Nuttzz

County Enterprise Boards are a good start

http://www.etradebusinessireland.com/

jay567

Can you give us a brief description on what it is?

pclancy

dont want to go into too much but im trying to expand my company and am willing to sell shares to someone who can invest money. was wondering is there any kind of resource for people with business's or ideas to meet with potential investors and present their case. Enterprise boards have been no help really tho their advice has been good.

Nuttzz

Try Business Angels then

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/GrowFinance/businessangels.htm

Merrion

You could try: HotOrigins.com if it is IT related...

leahcim

Check out first tuesday it is an organisation that trys to help entrepreneur's by finding investers and giving them business advice.

secret_squirrel

Originally posted by leahcim
Check out first tuesday it is an organisation that trys to help entrepreneur's by finding investers and giving them business advice.

I've heard very good things about them - its a great place for networking.

Specky

First Tuesday has gone off the boil I think these days.

Some Enterprise Boards (South Dublin, may Dublin City....don't know any others) do now have an equity based investment scheme that involves them taking some preference shares and they are able to invest up to about €64,000 which is somewhat more useful than the usual pityfully inadequate feasibility and employment grants they used to have.

Problem is, this grant is only available in some areas, elsewhere they haven't even heard of it....sigh...

Seed Capitol fund or BES might be more realistic means of getting funds. VCs are only an option in a limited number of cases, they're looking for high returns by means of either an IPO or a trade sale, neither of which may be what you're looking to do. If you find a business angel you're very very lucky indeed.

antoinolachtnai

You should try all the options suggested, but really, the person who is going to invest the money is probably someone who is known to you already. It stands to reason - would you give money or get involved in the business of someone you didn't know? Think laterally about the possibilities.

dod

Originally posted by leahcim
Check out first tuesday it is an organisation that trys to help entrepreneur's by finding investers and giving them business advice.

Can't really endorse First Tuesday, it has really imploded since its' heyday five or six years ago. To select who the right person or institution to approach for finance depends on the sector that the business is in, the size (employees/ turnover) of the business, the growth prospects of the company, a credible exit strategy (where the investor can realise a return), a credible exit horizon (usu. no longer than 4-5 years), and the extent of the investment required (split basically into €1m>investment>€1m.

Have a look at BES, local enterprise boards, Enterprise Ireland, and the Technology Enterprise Programmes run by the DITs and other third level institutions. But really with a 'I need investment' and no idea of the sector, size, exit horizon, it is impossible to give meaningful advice.