Thinking about starting a business? Why? Can you explain what the business opportunity is and how you will make money? I hear hundreds of pitches every year from budding entrepreneurs. Their main challenge is making the business case. Continue reading
Crowdfunding Gains Momentum
The U.S. Senate has passed legislation (March 2012) that will essentially legalize crowdfunding in startups by practically anyone. The “CROWDFUND Act” was passed earlier this month so that companies would be able to use SEC-approved crowdfunding platforms to raise money from “small-dollar investors. And, what are we doing here in Canada? Continue reading
What’s my baby worth? Figuring that out is the biggest challenge entrepreneurs face when attracting investors. Many negotiations break down over this issue. The good news is that there are contractual mechanisms that can be used to resolve any disparities. Continue reading
Innovation is a popular subject these days. It was raised by Obama in his State of the Union address as a major challenge for Americans. Here, in Canada, many think tanks, committees, interest groups, etc are rallying to the call for more Innovation. Continue reading
Over the years, I’ve written a number of articles to assist entrepreneurs, especially tech entrepreneurs, with an understanding of business matters. On the Simon Fraser University Website, much of this can be found at www.sfu.ca/~mvolker/biz. These articles are in the process of being updated, with new ones added, and will gradually start showing up on this website. Continue reading
At the October 28, 2010 Vancouver Greentech Exchange, Mike talked about investment options for investors, challenges for entrepreneurs, incentives and impediments to innovation and finally explained a new investment vehicle – GreenAngel Energy Corp – could benefit both investors and entrepreneurs. Here is a summary of Mike’s talk:
Recently (Sep 28,2010) I went to a presentation in Bellingham by Rob Wiltbank of Willamette University in Oregon. Wiltbank does research on angel investing and the returns enjoyed by angels. He looked at 1000 “exits” in North America – i.e. companies that gave a payback to their investors (however large or small, including zero return for failed deals).
Michael Volker is an Entrepreneur active in the development of new high technology ventures. A University of Waterloo Engineering grad, Mike started his own company (Volker-Craig Ltd) in 1973. He sold this company in 1981 and then decided to work with entrepreneurs in building new companies. Most recently, he was the director of Simon Fraser University’s Innovation Office. Now he is CEO of SF Univentures Corp. Check out his latest two projects: Greenangel Energy Corp, [GAE.V] a public company that invests in green technologies and WUTIF – the Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund – an “angel” fund for start-ups. To further encourage tech entrepreneurship, Mike runs the Vancouver Angel Network, VANTEC and he’s also quite active with New Ventures BC – an annual business competition. Mike was also chairman of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum for several years.
Business Basics is a series of notes prepared by Mike on business matters relating to technology companies. A guide for writing a Business Plan is featured. Mike has taught courses on entrepreneurship at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. Recently, he was the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at CERT in Abu Dhabi, the commercialization arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2009, the National Angel Organization named Mike, the “Canadian Angel Investor of the Year”. In the same year, the B.C. Angel Forum voted him, the “B.C. Angel of the Year”.
We’ve got some great news on our latest project – GreenAngel Energy Corp – a corporate “angel” that is working with entrepreneurs to commercialize green energy technologies. ANYONE can invest in GreenAngel and participate in the green future because GreenAngel trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol, “GAE”. Continue reading
Good corporate governance – having an active board of directors – is essential in building a good company. Assembling a capable board should be done sooner than later. Why? Continue reading