IESBGA Conference
Startup Funding & Resources
RJ PahuraCEO – Venture Connects
Originally from Kansas City - Reside in Chicago Professional entrepreneur and passionate
networker Serve on several boards in the Chicagoland area CEO of Venture Connects, LLC – An angel funding
platform for small business owners Been apart of 5+ startup companies and also
worked corporate America for 10 years Published in Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The
Sun Times, Crains Business Journal and the International Times and other notable periodicals
RJ Pahura Bio
1st timer vs. seasoned Going from startup to billionaire The Lean Startup Adjusting to business needs Capitalizing from the start Control your vision & path
The Seasoned Entrepreneur
Tangible & Intangible Your network Strategic partnerships Vendor relationships Barter/Trade Angel groups Startup pitches
Business Resources
You have the entrepreneurial bug Test the theory Choose your partners wisely Come up with a “MVP” Know everything about your idea Be frugal about all monetary spending Plan accordingly Grow and adapt
Plan of attack
Traditional / Alternative lending (Debt) Self funded Friends & family (F&F) Extended acquaintances Angel investor Venture capital Crowd funding Other
Several ways of capitalizing
Why? Full time job to raise money Idea of bringing everything together What we do?
Venture Connects®