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A Guide to Investing in Startups
Investing in startups involves a certain element of risk. If
you've ever received an opportunity to invest in a startup
company, you might find yourself wondering whether or not it's
worth the risk to invest your money into a business that's still
trying to get off of the ground. By their very nature, most
startup businesses are more prone to miscalculations and
unexpected problems than more established companies... some
don't even make it through the end of their first year.
This does not, of course, mean that it's not worth your time to
invest in a startup business if the opportunity presents itself;
it simply means that you need to approach the matter with care
and make sure that the opportunity and business are sound.
Below you'll find a few suggestions that can help you to
determine whether the startup opportunity that you face is worth
the risk.
Considering the Business Model
Most startup companies will prepare a business plan for their
potential investors to read through and consider when deciding
whether or not to invest in their company. This business plan
will include their projected expenses, potential profits,
closest competition, and the general plan that they have for
organizing and running the business. This last portion is known
as the business model, and is one of the first considerations
that you should have when trying to determine whether the
opportunity is a good one or not.
Read through the business model several times, envisioning the
structure that it proposes; if you can see it as potentially
succeeding, then the matter is worth further consideration.
Should you find flaws in the business model, however, you might
want to be wary... if the business can't make money, then your
investment won't make money either.
Analyzing the Opportunity
Assuming the business model is secure, you should then begin to
look at the investment opportunity as a whole. Are the amounts
that the business owners are requesting reasonable? Does your
investment allow you
any sort of voting rights, limited
partnership, or legitimate voice in the running of the business?
How many other potential investors have the same opportunity as
you do?
Taking the time to consider the various ramifications of
investing in the startup company will help you to determine
whether you can actually afford to make the investment in the
off chance that your return doesn't match your initial
investment.
Weighing the Risks
Once you've considered the questions about the investment, take
some time to consider the various things that could go wrong
with the business model. Take into account the competition that
the business will be up against, any potential oversights or
other underestimations by the business owners, and the community
that the business will be serving. Determine whether there is a
significant chance of the business failing or performing poorly
or whether there is a greater chance of success than failure.
Once you've compiled the various risks that could be associated
with investing in the business, it's time to make your final
decision as to whether or not to make the investment in the
startup company.
Deciding Whether to Invest
Taking into account the chances for success, the various risks,
and the solidity of the business model that the startup owners
have designed, you can make your final decision as to whether
the investment is right for you.
If you feel that the risks are to great or that you can't afford
it, don't make the investment. If, however, you determine that
there's a good chance of success, feel free to make the
investment and see what happens. It's your money... use it
wisely.
You may freely reprint this article provided the following
author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
About the author:
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help
homeowners find the best available loans via the www.directonlineloans.
co.uk website.
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