Slashdot Mirror
Ask Slashdot: How Do You Sell an Algorithm To Venture Capitalists?
dryriver writes "Dear Slashdotters, We are a two man crew who have spent almost three years developing a video processing algorithm that 'upgrades' the visual quality of digital video footage. We take video footage that is "of average quality" — think an amateur shooting on a cheap digital camcorder or on a smartphone camera — and use various mathematical tricks we have developed to make the footage look better — optically sharper, better lit, more vivid colours, improved contrast, enhanced sense of three-dimensionality and of 'being-there realism.' In about a month, we will be presenting our algorithm to some venture capitalists. We have the obligatory before-and-after video demos prepared for this, of course. But there will also be a short PowerPoint presentation where we explain our tech in some detail. Now here is our main question: What, in your opinion, should we — or indeed should we NOT — put in the PowerPoint presentation to impress a Venture Capitalist? Should we talk about how we developed the algorithm at all — what kind of R&D and testing was involved? Should we try to walk the VCs through how our algorithm works under the hood — simplified a bit for a 'non-engineer' audience of course? Or should we stick to talking about market potential, marketing strategy & money-related stuff only? If you were in our shoes — presenting a digital video-quality improvement technology to professional VCs — what would and would you not put in your PowerPoint? Any advice on this from Slashdotters with some experience would be most welcome!"
how it will make them money.
Know your audience, that's for sure. As far as how much detail to let them in on, send me the copy of the details and I'll get back to you.
1. Do you have Patents on the Technology?
2. What kind of money are people/corporations willing to pay for this type of video enhancement?
3. How big is the market? (e.g. Can you deploy the technology in a smartphone app, or does it require specialized hardware)
You don't sell technology to venture capitalists, you sell a business plan with well done research and projections.
Or, alternatively, you should start by licensing the technology to those interested first (figure out who) and create a steady income from there.
Or create a product that end users might find useful directly, like an iOS app.
One example of successful business model based on an algorithm is elastique, which is used in pretty much all major audio and DJ apps.
Hope this info is useful!
It'll sell really fast if you include those features.
I've worked directly with a lot of VCs and private equity guys.
First question you have to ask is "do I really want VC money?" Make no bones about it, VCs will scalp you. They will take control of the company and there is a good chance you will be pushed out. (No you will not retain control ala Mark Zuckerberg in all likelihood) Furthermore the cost of capital from a VC is VERY VERY high. They expect a big return on their investment. If you can fund your company with Angel investors, loans, friends and family, etc, then do that. You'll come out better in the long run most likely. Most people that think they want VC money really don't. I know it's a bit of a cultural thing in Silicon Valley but even the VCs will tell you that you don't want their money if you don't need it.
If you decide that VC money is still the best way to go then yes they will want to see the technical details of your product. They will do considerable due diligence regarding it and they will call in experts they trust to look it over. However you don't need to get carried away with technical details in the initial meetings. What they are going to be looking for is a business model around the technology that they can develop. VCs aren't typically going to want to develop the business themselves - they want to invest in people who are going to develop the business. They may bring in their own people to help or take over if needed. So what you need is to be able to explain very concisely who you are and why you are worth investing in, why this technology matters, what the market opportunity is, who the competition is and how you will overcome them, and how the VCs will be able to get a return on their investment. You should be able to say all of the above in 60 seconds or less.
Don't assume your technology is unique from a business standpoint - it probably isn't. There will be competing products out there and you'll need to explain why your technology is special and more importantly why you and your team are especially positioned to take advantage of whatever market opportunity you see.
Frankly VCs will be less interested in the technical details than in is your business plan and especially in the team you have around you to execute said business plan. VCs really don't invest as much in technology as they do in the people who are trying to bring that technology to market. They are investing in YOU more than anything else. Tell them about your leadership team. Show them your team has a track record of bringing technologies to market successfully. Guys like Elon Musk can raise money for almost anything because of their track record. If you don't have a track record of building successful businesses, get people on board who do BEFORE you try to talk to VCs. Get a team of advisors who can poke holes in your business plan and help you get on the road to success.
Finally, VCs tend to specialize. Odds are most won't be interested in what you have. Kind of like publishers you have to look around for the right one and you'll probably get a lot of doors (politely) slammed in your face. The VC community is a small one and they tend to all know each other. Don't be rude or talk smack about anyone else because word will get around.