Seed Capital From The Government: SBA’s Sean Greene (Part 3)

By Sramana Mitra and guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Sramana: I think the DOE [angle] is very straightforward because the energy agenda is very present. Clean tech is an active field of entrepreneurship right now, so we understand the DOE very well, and we understand the synergy between the clean tech community and the DOE. >>>

Seed Capital From The Government: SBA’s Sean Greene (Part 2)

By Sramana Mitra and guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Sean: Last year, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) put $2.5 billion dollars in the hands of small-business [owners] who [have] innovative technology companies. And just as a point of reference, last year the entire venture industry put in only $1.7 billion, in terms of seed stage financing. >>>

Seed Capital From Angel Investors: Larry Chaityn, Keiretsu Forum, New York Tri-State Chapters President (Part 6)

By guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Larry: Some of other things that we have looked at are mobile technology and that weaves itself into media. So, it’s mobile media. We’ve looked at electronic coupons and location-based services. We look at what is the business problem that you are trying to solve as a company for your customers. >>>

Seed Capital From The Government: SBA’s Sean Greene (Part 1)

By Sramana Mitra and guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

This is the twenty-first interview in our series on financing for entrepreneurs. Irina is talking to Sean Greene, associate administrator for investment and special advisor for innovation at the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to assist and protect the interests of small businesses. >>>

Seed Capital From Angel Investors: Larry Chaityn, Keiretsu Forum, New York Tri-State Chapters President (Part 5)

By guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Irina: Right. So, if you would single out the most important character trait of a founder, what would it be?

Larry: Previous experience in growing a company. That plus passion for what they’re doing. I mean, you’ve got to love what you do. >>>

Seed Capital From Angel Investors: Larry Chaityn, Keiretsu Forum, New York Tri-State Chapters President (Part 4)

By guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Irina: When you think about valuation, do you have any specific number in mind?

Larry: It really depends, because we also have a life science forum and in life science the valuations tend to be a little bigger . But I would say our valuations are probably between $2 million and $5 million. >>>

Seed Capital From Angel Investors: Larry Chaityn, Keiretsu Forum, New York Tri-State Chapters President (Part 3)

By guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Irina: Tell us more about your advisory board. Is it an outside board?

Larry: Yes, it’s an outside board that I put together and these are people whom I highly respect in the community. One is G.S. Schwartz , a PR firm. Reid Smith attends, Citrin Cooperman, and there’s a company called the Calyx Group, they’re a strategy firm. And then there is another company, Laitmon & Associates. Peter Laitmon does branding. Peter was responsible for bringing Vespa, the motor-scooter, into the United States. >>>

Seed Capital From Angel Investors: Larry Chaityn, Keiretsu Forum, New York Tri-State Chapters President (Part 2)

By guest authors Irina Patterson and Candice Arnold

Irina: What would you say are the key points that make Keiretsu Forum stand out from other angel groups?

Larry: It’s the breadth of our investors. If a company does well in one chapter, other investors in other chapters also want to see them and possibly invest in them. So, I think it’s the multi-chapter access, and it’s also the makeup of the investors. >>>