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Venture Capital in Detroit, Among Other Places (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the everybody-needs-some-money-sometime dept.

If you have a startup idea kicking around in your head, you don't necessarily need to head for California, New York or Massachusetts to find venture capital. In today's video, Timothy Lord visits a venture capital firm called Detroit Venture Partners. (Yes, it's in Detroit.) This not an intimidating company, even though it has some big bucks and big names (including Magic Johnson) behind it. But this doesn't mean you need to rush to Detroit to fund your million-dollar idea. There are lots of local venture capital companies in the U.S. -- and chances are, wherever you are, there's one near you that's panting to invest in your can't-miss business opportunity.

6 of 36 comments (clear)

  1. Be careful by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    My experience is that a lot of supposed venture capital firms (particularly those that deal with economic development zones and distressed areas) are little more than scammers who live on government funding and/or ponzi-scheme style investments and use most of it to pay very high salaries to their staff. So if you're actually looking for venture capital be careful who you deal with. If their senior staff are all driving new Mercedes, while the portfolio of ventures they've funded is surprisingly slim, you might want to look elsewhere.

    Not saying that is the case with the specific firm mentioned in this story. I'm just saying be careful who you deal with. The same also goes for non-profits, and anyone who wants to "pay cash for your inventions." There are plenty of reputable investors out there, but plenty of scammers too. And when you're desperate for funding for your big idea, it can be tempting to fall for the latter. Don't let your dream turn you into a mark.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Be careful by jpwilliams · · Score: 5, Informative

      You're right, there are a lot of scammers out there, and that gives the real guys a bad name.

      I used to work for a legit firm. Here's a few tips (totally anecdotal) in case you're interested.

      1. See how fast they move
      If they're trying to close the deal after one or two calls, beware. Proper firms will vet the idea, invention through several channels, as well as having lots of internal discussion before closing a deal. Even if the firm is just a few people, lots of consideration goes into each opportunity. Unlike scammers, who are wham bam thank you entrepreneurial maam.

      2. What other companies are in their portfolio
      Just like the parent mentioned, investigate their portfolio. Don't look for a lot of companies. Rather, look for companies that seem to have a legitimate product or service they are marketing to a known (not necessarily established) marketplace. Note: some of these companies won't have websites or huge public faces yet, that's not bad necessarily, it could just mean they are young.

      3. Get a second, expert opinion
      Search your network and find someone you know who's dealt with an investment banker or VC before. Tell them in vague details what you've experienced, and see if they identify any red flags.

      Angels and VCs are a great way to bring an idea into reality. Don't be afraid, be careful.

  2. Detroit? REIT! by busyqth · · Score: 2

    In Detroit, you should be buying up all the empty lots and abandoned homes, tear down any structures, grease a few palms down at city hall to keep them off your back, and wait for global warming to make the area liveable. Then you sell high to all the people fleeing the flooding in New York and Los Angeles.

    1. Re:Detroit? REIT! by kryliss · · Score: 2

      How about 601 feet?

      --
      --- If the bible proves the existence of God, then Superman comics prove the existence of Superman.
  3. Plus... by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 3, Funny

    There's another advantage to setting up shop in Detroit these days: The city is much safer now that an angry Clint Eastwood is out there roaming its streets.

  4. Re:The companies aren't in Detroit. by Morris+Thorpe · · Score: 2

    Agree.
    I was interested until I saw they describe themselves as all-digital: "We invest in social media, mobile apps, software, cloud computing, e-commerce, digital advertising & media, marketing technology, and general internet businesses."
    In other words, we don't want to create anything. I love Detroit but I don't think it will be reborn in this way.

    Two of the companies they've funded say they are "disruptive." I'm not up to date on marketing jargon. What does that even mean?