Investment Criteria

Are you prepared to answer all questions?
  • Company Stage
  • Companies that apply to Keiretsu Forum are typically in their A or B rounds. They usually have accomplished a meaningful funding round (anywhere between $500,000 to $2.5 million) from their own funds, government grants and/or family and friends before they reach us. Member investments vary in response to the requesting company’s genuine needs, but are typically in the range of $500k $6 million.

  • Industry target
  • Members invest in high-quality diverse investment opportunities in automation & instrumentation, consumer products, energy, financing, food & beverage, health care/life sciences, internet related, real estate, services, social ventures, software, telecommunications, and any other segment with high growth opportunity.

    Entrepreneurs who are able to raise capital from one chapter can apply to present and potentially raise additional capital from other national and/or international chapter members.

Be prepared for the
Questions to be asked

After more than 25 years in business, we have heard all these questions listed below mutiple times. Once you present your idea, be prepared to answer these questions: some of them will come up. They always do!

  • Market Opportunity
    • Market definition
    • Market size
    • Market growth rate
    • Significant competitors
    • Domestic or international

    What the Company needs
    • Resources beyond capital
    • Introduction to customers
    • Distribution partners
    • Key team members
    • How else can we help you

    Company Strategy
    • Does the company address a significant problem
    • Competitive advantages (price, patent, lead time, skilled team, etc.)


    Capital Structure
    • Amount and type of investment
    • Has the management invested? (Skin in the game)
    • Date and price of last round
    • Are previous investors coming in this round
    • Loans outstanding

    Proposed Deal
    Amount requested
    • Pre-investment valuation
    • Post-investment valuation
    • Terms

    Liquidity Event
     When and how

  • Company Financial Status
    Current burn rate
    • How much in the bank
    • Cash horizon
    • Quarters to break even

    Intellectual Property
    Number of patents granted
    • Number of patents applied for
    • Scope and strength of patents
    • Licenses owned

    Technology
     Level of technology risk
    • Time to prototypes
    • Time to first ship

    Marketing
    Does the company effectively communicate its message?
    • Can the company distinguish itself from the competition?

    Management
    Specific experience
    • Overall experience
    • Complete team

You did not find the answer?
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