Can you afford to sell your business?

7 Question Series: insights into investors and how they judge who gets their capital

“Knowledge is Power,” said Sir Francis Bacon, the scientist, writer, statesman. His observation rings true. Flakey App companies get millions of dollars of investment capital effortlessly, or so it seems. In comparison, meaningful companies with far greater value to add to the world – IT, health care, time-saving products, manufacturers -  get left cash-starved.  

Why do some businesses get equity investors of the top calibre while other equally worthy companies starve from lack of investment capital? And how can an entrepreneur improve their odds of being chosen as a compelling investment by a high calibre investor? In this interview series you’ll get some of these answers! Venture capitalists from the United States, Canada and Britain reveal the body of ideas and questions required to be addressed by the entrepreneur before seeking out an investor, such as how to leverage data to know what is happening in their business, how to scale up the operations by having dash boards to manage incoming data, what needs to be built in place early in the foundation-building timing of the business life cycle.

In this invaluable 7 Question Series, business leaders will get insights into understanding investors and how they judge entrepreneurs worthy of receiving their precious capital, entrepreneurs will discover that attracting investors is an achievable goal. Investors are also sifting through haystacks to find the needle. Entrepreneurs need to ensure that the investor’s metal detector rings loudly.

With the interviews in The 7 Questions Interview Series: Data and Venture Capital, entrepreneurs will gain invaluable knowledge rapidly. It will transform their ability to connect with investors and demonstrate their readiness to have capital partners. It is a jam-packed tour through the leading venture capitalist brains and how they make their decision to select one company, but discard another similar business. Some of the points seem over the top, such as why you need data to know your whole industry and to predict where to grow the business. 

Why would that be important? 

Entrepreneurs will learn that raising capital for their business is about the right mathematical fit, knowing the right fit of people to help you, and having the best questions to ask that will signal instant rapport with the best investors. So enjoy the journey!

Here is the link: 

The need for Canadians to have a globally diversified portfolio is increasing

Jacoline Loewen and team Ottawa

The economy has been choppy, to say the least, and we asked our portfolio strategist to share the economic forecast for Canadian investors concerned about their portfolios.
Our Economics Forecast Luncheon in Ottawa had healthy debate and discussion.
My biggest take-away is that Europe has room for growth as they have had austerity and the governents are investing into their country infrastructure again.
Also, America is a resilient economy. Their job growth is strong, although service jobs do not have the same wage potential.
Thank you to Stephen Beckta, Beckta Restaurant, who hosted our private event.

If you would like to receive more inforation, please contact Jacoline Loewen - contact information on the side bar.

Ottawa economic luncheon

The four most expensive words in the English language are "this time it's different."  

Yes, it has been a turbulent few months, Our portfolio strategist, Pierre Ouiemet, will be visiting Ottawa on the 12th and will be discussing the ten investment themes that UBS Bank (Canada) is pursuing and will explore why these themes are critical. He will also disuss the interest rates - are they going up? If so, when.

We will be in Ottawa, Thurday 12th and hosting a private luncheon for select business owners to discuss why investing outside of Canada makes good financial sense.

Do contact us if you wish to join.

Jacoline Loewen, Director, UBS Bank

Business Transitions Forum, Vancouver, Tackles How to Value Your Company

Business Transitions Forum focuses on planning and transactional strategies guaranteed to smooth the transition of business ownership, while demystifying the process required to successfully sell your business. You will leave with the tools to create your own roadmap while understanding best practices and the roles played by expert advisors so that you can build your own team, if necessary. BTF’s large scale allows for anonymity if you prefer to blend into the crowd.

Jacoline B. Loewen, Featured Speaker and leader of BTF panel

I will be leading a panel of experts to discuss who are the experts that an entrepreneur needs to begin the process of transition. Questions that will be addressed include:

• Where do I start and who can assist me?
• What dictates how much my company is worth?
• Who is buying businesses now and what are they looking for?
• What tactics will maximize the value of my company while minimizing taxes?
• How can I avoid compromising my marketplace while I look for buyers?
• What will I do with the proceeds (and my identity) after the sale?
• How can I assess the risks of succession within my family?
• Why do so many business transitions fail?

Thinking about the future ownership of your business and don’t know where to start? Join us!