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Introduction |
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Frequently Asked Questions
<Previous Top Next> Typically, Venture Capital firms raise capital from a variety of sources and they invest these funds in various investment opportunities. ApecTec allows each Investor to make their own independent investment decision and each Member Company can choose its investor-partners. Funds are invested directly into the Member Company from the Member Investor. Furthermore, most Venture Capital firms are simply not prepared to offer Value Added Services.
<Previous Top Next> Traditionally, Venture Capital firms focus on providing capital and do not offer infrastructure, services, mentoring and guidance. We actually help Venture Capitalists find investment opportunities. Our focus is at the startup and seed capital level. Our target Member Companies require $100,000 to $1,000,000; which is below the funding level of most Venture Capitalists. Most Venture Capitalists limit their seed stage investment, so angel investors are usually the best sources for seed capital. We do however, help Member Companies, launch, and grow to the stage where they need additional financing from Venture Capitals and corporations.
<Previous Top ApecTec has Principals, Advisors and Strategic Partners in various locations. As well, our Principals maintain a frequent travel schedule. This permits us to arrange to meet you in various locations, once we have reviewed your application and made a preliminary assessment for your entry into Investor Paradise. We also make extensive use of video conferencing and communications technologies. In the near future we expect to have representatives or joint venture offices in the Middle East, Asia and in various centers in North America.
ENTREPRENEUR QUESTIONS ApecTec offers a cost effective, efficient way for oil and gas entrepreneurs to raise seed capital. How? We offer a marketplace for early stage financing by increasing exposure and demand for your specific investment opportunity. We are unique as we combine needs of entrepreneurs and investors of the Middle East, Asia and North America. We understand differences between cultures and the way in which business is done in different parts of the world. We are unique in that we have hands-on experience in investment banking and financing companies in the Middle East, Asia and North America. We are unique in that we are located in Calgary, Canada the home of the Canadian TSX Venture Stock Exchange ("TSX Venture Exchange"), a new stock exchange that allows firms access to North America and a potential gateway to NASDAQ in the US. This will be important for the companies we help seed and that grow quickly to the IPO stage, which provides additional fund raising capabilities and an exit strategy for investors. Our objective is to help entrepreneurs raise seed stage financing from investors that provide much more than just money. Some of our Investors can provide experience, networking, marketing and specific industry knowledge. We save entrepreneurs time and money allowing them to focus on the most important aspects of their business.
<Previous Top Next> Besides improved access to financing, we can help through providing Value Added Services to help launch and grow your business. We can provide help and advice on the business models, marketing, financing strategies, and presentations to investors; we assist in finding investors and strategic partners who will provide support; and when you are ready, we can help you raise later stage capital. With presence in the Middle East, Asia and North America, we can provide a window on business and financing trends.
<Previous Top Next> If you are looking to some day in the future when you wish to "Go Public" on a North American Stock Exchange, then from the start, ApecTec can structure your firm from this perspective. On the other hand, if you are looking to perhaps "Go Public" in the Middle East or Asia, we can accommodate this as well. Remember that down the road, an exit strategy and liquidity will be a very important factor for you and your Investors. ApecTec can offer you a North American presence right from the start. This will be important for market development and later stage financing as you will already be known to investors in the world's largest technology capital market. You may wish to use the facilities of the Canadian TSX Venture Stock Exchange (TSX Venture Exchange) as a less costly and quicker way to "Go Public", and as a stepping stone to senior exchanges.
<Previous Top Next> Besides North American venture capital, you will have access to venture capital from other countries. You may wish to use the facilities of the Canadian TSX Venture Stock Exchange (TSX) as a less costly and quicker way to "Go Public" and as a stepping stone to senior exchanges.
<Previous Top Next> The LaunchPad is a members-only, password-protected area of ApecTec's website. In the LaunchPad, entrepreneurs apply for membership and provide their Business Plan Overview to attract the attention of technology startup investors. Our Investors can provide significant value to startups since some have started and successfully grown their own technology firm. Many are well networked with business people that can help in marketing, public relations, financing, and in helping you expand your management team and board of directors.
<Previous Top Next> The following are some key criteria:
<Previous Top Next> Many times, for example for competitive reasons, the Entrepreneur has people or organizations he/she may not want to invite into a specific investment opportunity. This is best handled through confidential and personal interaction between the Entrepreneur and ApecTec, so that conflicts are avoided. ApecTec appreciates the sensitivities and need for confidentiality especially as it applies to the oil and gas industry. We will maintain confidentiality wherever needed. Other entrepreneurs will not see your Investment Opportunity Profile, only Member Investors can see companies listed in Investor Paradise. Should an entrepreneur have specific individuals or companies which he/she does not want his/her opportunity shown to, then we can oblige.
<Previous Top Next> Investor Paradise is the password-protected area of our website where our Investors can view start up companies that we have accepted. From here we can effectively communicate the investment opportunity.
<Previous Top Next> The first step is to obtain a password to LaunchPad. After entering, fill out the forms describing your business. ApecTec then evaluates the information you have provided, and if it meets the needs of our Investors, you will be invited to join as a Member Company.
<Previous Top Next> The Portfolio is our most selective list of investment opportunities, which most closely match the interests of our Investors. We invest a substantial amount of time (e.g. helping to build an effective marketing campaign, providing opportunities to market your investment opportunity to our network of investors), energy and potentially our own money with companies that are accepted, into the Portfolio. We have a comprehensive due diligence assessment for all our Portfolio Companies. When we decide to pursue an opportunity, our strategic and alliance partners who offer various services including infrastructure, may become involved in making a proposal to assist you.
<Previous Top Next> Our strategy and services are designed to allow entrepreneurs to focus most of their efforts on product development and marketing, rather than the many other aspects of building a company. This allows the startup to focus on its core business, which in turn can accelerate its time-to-market with new products and services. Our services may also reduce the operating costs of associated companies due to the economies of scale created by our business network of strategic partners and alliances. Besides our Value Added Services, we may provide access to our business relationships in North America the Middle East and Asia. These relationships may be both inside and outside our network and may include a wide variety of services.
<Previous Top Next> In order that we offer the highest quality of investment opportunities to our Investors, our selection process is detailed and difficult but is fair. Application Process:
<Previous Top Next> Our Investors prefer viewing investment opportunities in a standard format, which we prepare from information provided.
<Previous Top Next> We have no set fixed fees. If a company is accepted into the Portfolio, it compensates ApecTec after it has received funding.
<Previous Top Next> Yes we will. However, the majority of funds come through our Investors - angel investors, venture capital firms, corporations and institutions. ApecTec has affiliations with investment funds that may co-invest in Member Companies along with Investors. One fund invests at the very earliest stage seeking a small percentage in equity ownership at fair market value. This fund makes its investment decision before a company is posted in Paradise.
<Previous Top Next> Entrepreneurs can go to LaunchPad now and apply for membership.
INVESTOR QUESTIONS We help investors find pre-screened, high quality ground floor investment opportunities that match investor's specific interests. Most investors would not normally see or hear about the startups we present. We present these opportunities in a standardized format to help you evaluate companies quickly, saving you time and money. Please see Member Investor Benefits. Being experienced investors, we relate to investors needs on rates of return, risk/reward, and liquidity and exit strategies.
<Previous Top Next> Member Investors are high worth individuals, venture capital firms, institutions, or corporations. Some Member Investors wish to not only invest their money in startups but may also, believe that their personal involvement will help contribute to the success of the ventures. Unlike investors in venture capital funds, some Member Investors are ready to actively provide advice and guidance to the entrepreneur. Some of our Member Investors are well placed in the business community allowing them to add value, through their connections and experience in sales, marketing, and technology.
<Previous Top Next> We employ a comprehensive screening process that involves the contributions of business, industry, and technical experts. We assess their ability to achieve commercial success and gain significant market share. We believe there are several essential elements to successful startups including compelling concepts, strong, dedicated and driven management, technological expertise, competitive advantage and uniqueness. Our screening procedures are designed to ensure that we maximize the number of opportunities we review and that we work with startups in a rapid, efficient manner. <Previous Top Next> Some Member Investors are entrepreneurs themselves and therefore know what it takes to start a business and make it succeed. Others are business leaders in industry, finance, or other businesses. Most Member Investors have one thing in common; they have worked hard for their money, they are familiar with risk and they know how to make money work hard for them. Their experience, advice, and contacts can be invaluable to entrepreneurs just starting out.
<Previous Top Next> ApecTec provides ground floor investment opportunities along with the possibility of nurturing ideas into very successful companies. ApecTec helps reduce risk by applying a detailed screening process to help ensure investors need only consider high quality opportunities. We continually review business plans for their investment merit and select only a small number for presentation to our Member Investors. We then notify our Member Investors of investment opportunities that meet their investment criteria. We present these opportunities in a standard format to allow quick review. This saves Member Investors time and money. You will be able to evaluate our database of startup business summaries that have been submitted to us electronically. This process will present you with additional business opportunities, market data, competitive analysis, trends, and access to third party research. Due to our activities in North America, the Middle East and Asia, you will interact across regions, benefiting from experience in other countries.
<Previous Top Next> Investor Paradise is a password-protected area of our website only for the use of accepted members. Here, Member Investors can view investment opportunities in Member Companies which match their investment preferences.
<Previous Top Next> Member Investors fall into the following categories:
<Previous Top Next> That decision is left to each company however, companies posted in Investor Paradise usually request a minimum of $50,000 to $100,000 per investor. In some cases however, the company may be willing to accept smaller investments especially if the investor brings valuable expertise to the company.
<Previous Top Next> Member Investors control the release of information and their identity. We create an Investor Profile showing investment preferences. This Investor Profile is kept confidential and known only to ApecTec management, staff and advisors. We release your contact information on a case-by-case basis to only those Member Companies which express an interest. Only those pre-screened companies will be contacting an Investor.
<Previous Top Next> Once Member Investors have completed their Investor Profile, we know their investment preferences and opportunities that interest them. With this, we can notify you by email, fax or phone.
<Previous Top Next> No, this is the responsibility of the entrepreneur. ApecTec encourages all parties to have appropriate legal counsel.
<Previous Top Investors can go to Investor Paradise now to apply to membership. |
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Introduction – Entrepreneurs' LaunchPad – Investors' Paradise – Professional Services – Strategic Partners -- Incubation -- ToolBox -- Helping Entrepreneurs -- Helping Investors |
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