Miranda Ferris
Christopher Wahl
Starting and sustaining a business often requires significant funding that often surpasses personal savings and revenue generated from early operations. This is where venture capital (VC) firms come into play, providing financial support for companies that have shown promise and potential for growth.
Most venture capital firms focus on early-stage funding, leaving later-stage companies with limited options. Fortunately, there are VC firms like Round13 Capital, focused on providing financial support to later stage SaaS tech-enabled service companies.
Round13 Capital is a Canadian venture capital firm founded by was founded by Bruce Croxon and John Eckert., whose focus is to provide support to SaaS and tech-enabled service companies that are at later stages of growth.
Technology has redefined the business landscape, and businesses must evolve to keep up. By focusing on later-stage funding, Round13 Capital is supporting companies that have already established their product-market fit and credible revenue streams, and, most importantly, are looking to accelerate their growth.
Round13 prides itself on being more than an investor, as it supports its portfolio companies with valuable operational insights, leveraging the wealth of experience the firm possesses. Their team has extensive experience in building and scaling businesses, so portfolio companies get more than just the investment. They also provide an array of operational support services such as financial modeling, marketing and customer acquisition, talent acquisition, and business strategy. This ensures that the portfolio companies have the capacity to leverage the latest technologies and the best methods for building and scaling.
In Canada, the VC landscape is few and far between, and the fund sizes tend to be smaller than their US counterparts, making it difficult for startups to secure funding. However, Round13 differentiates itself by taking a long-term approach and seeing the value in investing in Canadian businesses. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the VC industry in Canada is poised for growth, and Round13 is at the forefront of making it happen.
In speaking with Miranda Ferris, Principal at Round13 Capital, Ferris shares these tips to those searching for VC funding:
1. Know what the best source of funding for your business is
The search for funding to help propel your business forward can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be hard to determine the best source of funding for your unique business needs.
Ferris believe the key to success in this process is to do your research and determine what type of financing will work best for you. Will you need a business loan, venture capital, or crowdfunding? Each option has its own pros and cons and understanding what each can offer will help you make a more informed decision.
It’s easy to get enamoured with VC funding, but it’s not for every business. Take the time to consider your options and seek advice from professionals who can help guide you towards the funding that is right for you.
2. Build a sustainable business internally
While there may be a temptation to seek out VC funding quickly, it’s important to build a sustainable business internally first. Rushing to seek out investors before your business is ready can lead to a lot of stress and financial strain down the road.
By taking the time to develop your business internally, you’ll be in a better position to show potential investors that your company has a solid foundation and the potential for long-term success. Building internally allows you to create a company culture and team that will be able to weather any challenges that come your way.
Before you start knocking on doors or making phone calls, take the time to establish a strong, sustainable business that can confidently approach potential investors.
3. Be capital efficient
This means that you should optimize the utilization of available resources, whether financial or otherwise, to ensure that your business is functioning at its fullest potential. Being capital efficient also entails smart budgeting, prudent expenditure, and a sharp focus on generating revenue.
VC funding is not a substitute for sound business practices, nor does it guarantee success if the underlying model is flawed. Instead, it should be viewed as a tool for growth and scale once a strong foundation has been established.
Being capital efficient not only increases your chances of success but also presents your business as an attractive option for potential investors.
The bottom line is that as a later-stage SaaS or tech-enabled service company, you need to have a VC firm that understands your market and has the experience to provide operational insights that can help you scale your company. Round13 offers exactly that to help support your growth. Their focus on Canada-centric companies, commitment to social impact, and operational expertise are all reasons to consider this firm for your next investment.
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Melissa Houston, CPA is the author of Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating a Profitable Business. She is the founder of She Means Profit, which is a podcast and blog. As a Finance Strategist for small business owners, Melissa helps successful business owners increase their profit margins so that they keep more money in their pocket and increase their net worth.
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever.
