Smart Money

'We tried very hard to convince two other established computer companies to fund us while we developed the personal computer. We spent a lot of time and got nowhere. Ultimately, we had no choice but to do it ourselves.'
Steve Jobs
Founder, Apple Computer

The right people, products and sales skills can only take you so far. You will need money to build your company, and you will probably need to raise the money at several different stages as your company grows.

Few businesses can grow successfully through self-funding and most rely on capital from outsiders. Chances are you don't have all the funds required to finance your business, so you need to find the right partners to help you achieve your goals.

If you only need a small amount of money and you have some assets, you could try a bank. But if your idea is bold and innovative, you will need capital from an experienced investor that knows how to support young companies over the long term.

You will need 'smart money' - the sort that comes with experience and skill.

This is what venture capital is all about. The members of the Australian Venture Capital Association, for instance, have helped small companies grow quickly and know what it takes to achieve similar results in the future.

When venture capital executives decide to invest in a new company, only one of their roles is to provide cash. They also bring their knowledge of the market, networks and experience of working with ambitious companies.