The SEKVA is looking for investments in high-growth seed and early-stage technology companies with the potential to rapidly scale into market leadership resulting in a sustainable competitive advantage. Typical criteria the SEKVA looks for include:
- A market opportunity large enough to create a business with at least $30 million in annual revenue
- Disruptive or new-market innovation
- A compelling, well articulated strategy for capturing and defending a significant market share
- Proprietary technology or other strong barrier to entry
- A strong management team with relevant and successful experience
- An exit strategy for investors
Most investments made by the SEKVA will be located in Kansas, however the SEKVA will look to leverage its dollars with opportunities brought to the group from other similar networks in Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado and Texas. This will provide for a diverse early-stage portfolio and the benefits of additional leverage and expertise from other investors with similar investment philosophies.
Submitting a Proposal To be considered by the SEKVA for review, applicants must complete the following:
Click here to apply online Funding Application and Executive Summary must be submitted in electronic form. Once the above items have been submitted and the application fee has been received, the SEKVA screening committee will begin its review. Applicants will be notified regarding the status of their submission. If chosen to present to the membership of the SEKVA, an additional presentation fee of $250 is applicable.
Executive Summary Requirements
The Executive Summary has the following requirements:
- Maximum of five (5) pages including any tables, graphs, photos and financial projections
- Minimum 10-point font size
- Submitted in Microsoft Word format
Please include a cover page listing the following: Company Name, Contact Person, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers and E-Mail Address. The Cover Page will NOT be counted when determining the 5-page limit.
The criteria weights for qualifying of the presenting companies were developed by sophisticated investors from around the Country and indicate what emphasis investors place on various parts of the Executive Summary. The Summary should highlight the most important points of your business that will convince potential investors your venture will succeed.
The Company (10% Weight)
- Define business purpose.
- Provide summary of your company’s history and current status, including whether the company is publicly or privately-held.
- State overall corporate strategy and objectives (i.e., to go public, to command a certain market share or reach a given level of sales in an established time frame, etc.).
The Products and Services (20% Weight)
- Describe important features and benefits - relate to market needs and to the competition.
- Describe existing products and status of new projects (projected release dates, expected product life, and potential revenues, etc.).
- Discuss pricing and margins for both your products and your competitors’ products.
- Explain proprietary position - trademarks, patents, trade secrets, special production skills, process, etc.
- Articulate any relevant regulatory or environmental issues.
The Market & Marketing Strategy (30% Weight)
- Market analysis - size, anticipated growth, key changes, trends, etc.
- Market strategy - How are you going to reach the market? What are your channels and costs of distribution, promotion, pricing, etc.?
- Product/service - What makes you different? What gives you a special advantage?
- Evaluate competition - Who are they? How much of the market do they control? What are their advantages/disadvantages?
- Discuss the issues or circumstances that “drive” or create the market-What compels people to buy?
Management (30% Weight)
- Give brief backgrounds of key individuals-Specifically why they add value to the company, their past successes and achievements, etc.
- History of working together as a team.
- Identification of immediate and future personnel needs and initial organizational structure.
Financial Summary (10% Weight)
- Provide revenues, income and expenses projected over 3-5 year period. Justify your financial assumptions. Include any past financial history.
- Define funding requirements-How much is needed at each stage of development within the next five years.
- Describe the history of previous investments.
- Indicate an exit strategy (i.e., merger, acquisition, or initial public offering). Compare with similar businesses and their results.
Neither SEKVA nor its members pay finders, or similar fees to any person or entity in any way connected with investments made by its members; only members may process investment opportunities.
Do not include confidential information. Neither SEKVA nor its members sign Non-Disclosure Agreements for initial proposals. If there is sufficient interest, an NDA may be negotiated with individual members at a later time.
Click here to apply online. |
