Transforming your business & technology concepts to
commercial reality
The Hudson Valley’s Premier Technology
Commercialization Incubator
Les Neumann
Founder: Hudson Valley Center
for Innovation (iCANny)
Serial Entrepreneur
Innovator
“Work Hard, Play Harder”
Judge: NYS Business Plan Competition
Moderator: Wall Street Green Summit
Panelist: Angel Funding
Board of Advisors: Marist CAC
8 Startups
One IPO
Two Turnarounds
One Not for Profit
Mentor / Advisor for 8 Companies
iCANny
NYS Certified Business Incubator
Partner: NYS Innovation Hot Spot
Partner: iCLEAN Incubator
Founding Member: NYS Business
Incubator Association
Think
Like an
Investor!
• How Much Money Do You Need?
• What Are You Going To Do With My
Money?
• Are You The Right Team?
• When Do I Get My Money Back?
• What Type of Return Will I get?
10 Point Program (Guideline and Scorecard):
• Problem / Market Opportunity
(Validation)
• Solution / Magic of Solution
• Business Model
• Competition / Competitive Advantage
• Go to Market and Sales Strategies
• Financials and Metrics
• Management Team
• Risks and Mitigation
• Status & Next Steps
• Investment Opportunity
10 Point Program (Guideline and Scorecard):
• Problem / Market Opportunity
(Validation)
• Solution / Magic of Solution
• Business Model
• Competition / Competitive Advantage
• Go to Market and Sales Strategies
• Financials and Metrics
• Management Team
• Risks and Mitigation
• Status & Next Steps
• Investment Opportunity
Overview
• Company:
What you do
• Target Market:
Who is Your Customer
• Size of Market:
• Benefits:
Lower costs
New Technology
Annually Renewable Market
• Team:
Experienced in Business Development Digital
Development, Marketing
• Ask:
$750,000
• Beta Launch:
6-9 Months Post Funding
• Finance Type:
Convertible Notes
Use of Proceeds
Valuation and Other Questions
Know the language:
Understand terms like:
Valuation
EBITDA
Convertible Notes
Equity
Preferred Stock
Options
IPO
Margins
Entrepreneur Presents
Investor Thinks
Plan / forecast
Hockey Stick Growth
Cutting Edge Invention
Giant Killing Idea
Focused Experts
New Ideas & Energy
Promised Milestones
Needed Resources
Sky is the Limit
Rewards
Actual Results / Traction
Yeah, right...
Bleeding Edge Costs
Crushed by Existing Giants
Academics with Blinders
Detailed Execution
Underdelivered Results
Overspending SGA
What are you Smoking?
Risks
Your Presentation
Who Should Present
Eye Contact
Enthusiasm / Passion
Have Your Team in Place
Identify Your Team
Q&A
• Direct the Question to the Team
Member Most Qualified to Answer
• If You Don’t know…you don’t know!
Thanks, and Good Luck!
Transforming your business & technology concepts to
commercial reality
Les Neumann
Les@iCANny.net 845-943-5660