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®

Thank you

RJ Pahurawww.ventureconnects.biz