Seed Academy launches e-book on fund-raising for start-ups

"It is clear from Seed Academy's first start-up survey, and after training hundreds of entrepreneurs, that raising funds is the most common concern," explains Donna Rachelson, chief catalyst at Seed Academy. "The survey showed that 70% of respondents say they require funding to grow their businesses. 83% of start ups are self funded and only 3% fund their businesses from the vehicles formally established to support them.

"There clearly was a serious gap - tremendous demand for funding, substantial funding available but the entrepreneurs had a knowledge gap. This practical guide aims to show entrepreneurs just how much support is actually available and how to go about applying for it," says Rachelson.

The e-book has been written as a resource for early stage micro, small and medium size businesses to secure funding for their businesses. It will become more comprehensive over time as funders and users add to the content. There are funding options for all types of entrepreneurs including women, those involved in green projects, mining, manufacturing, technology even businesses in distress are catered for.

Leaderex conference

"To celebrate the launch of resource, Seed Academy has set up funding speed dating." This will take place on Thursday, 17 September at the Leaderex conference at the Sandton Convention Centre. The idea is to connect entrepreneurs and private and government sector funders. "Each entrepreneur will be able to pitch their business to a range of potential funders. As a result, entrepreneurs will better understand the funding requirements of DFIs, banks, angel investors and venture capitalists. Funders will be able to grow their deal pipeline and be exposed to innovative businesses," Rachelson continues.

The guide covers some of the more current forms of fund-raising such as crowd-funding, but the more traditional angel investors, public and private equity as well as venture capital funding and bank loans are covered too.

It also contains some tips in pitching for funds and recommends being extremely conservative in financial projections, understanding the competitive environment and having a clear understanding of business differentiators.

Advice offered suggests that whether or not an entrepreneur is successful in getting the funding they set out for, an important lesson is that 'some will, some won't, who care, whose next'. There will always be opportunities to pitch for funding via different avenues and entrepreneurs are encouraged to be resilient and persistent.

Download 'The Essential Guide to Funding in South Africa'[[http://seedacademy.co.za/the-essential-guide-to-funding-in-sa/