2. Getting Funding for Your Business
U. Conn - School of Business (MGMT 5894)
January 2014

3. School of
Business
Contents
New Canaan Advisors Overview
4
What is the role of finance in your firm?
9
How do you get your idea funded?
11
What are important lessons I learned? 15

4. New Canaan Advisors Overview

5. WHO IS NEW CANAAN ADVISORS?
New Canaan Advisors LLC (“NCA”) was founded in 2008
and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. We are a
leading Northeastern U. S. business/real estate advisory
firm that provides public and private organizations with a
unique resource for transforming underutilized assets and
facilities into new strategic opportunities. In short, we bring
“real value to your real estate holdings”.
We help meet your evolving needs as a “trusted advisor” to
help manage your real estate development, planning and
implementation process. ”We help you bring the ideas of
your dreams into the light of day”
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC NCA OVERVIEW

6. WHO IS NEW CANAAN ADVISORS?
Curtis C. Battles is the Chief Advisor/CEO of the enterprise.
Curt has over 25 years of strategy development, asset
management, project planning and operational expertise in
the hospitality, beverage and commercial real estate
industries.
Prior to starting New Canaan Advisors his most recent
experience has been helping lead the Grand Central
Terminal and World Trade Center Redevelopment projects
in New York City.
Curt specializes in helping public/private partnerships
reinvigorate properties and transform undervalued assets
into vibrant commercial projects that breathe new life into
urban locations.
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC NCA OVERVIEW

7. WHAT IS OUR UNIQUE DIFFERENCE?
NCA has developed a proprietary approach that assists its
clients in moving a project from initial concept to portfolio
oversight.
SEED
SPROUT
SAPLING
TREE
Seed Stage – Establish Strategic Vision
Sprout Stage – Determine Main Options
Sapling Stage – Oversee Project
Implementation
Tree Stage – Manage Long-Term Returns
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC NCA OVERVIEW

8. What is the role of finance in your firm?

9. WHY DO WE REALLY CARE ABOUT
FINANCE?
The capital raised through debt and equity investors
will
impact all facets of your growing enterprise.
• Product Development & Testing
• Operations
• Marketing & Sales
• Organizational Structure
• Flexibility
• Strategic Direction
• Long Term Valuation
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC WHY DO WE CARE

10. How do get your idea funded?

11. WHAT TYPE OF INVESTOR WILL YOU
ATTRACT? nature and uniqueness of your business
The innovative
concept can draw a broad range of potential funders
• Friends and Family
(“Bootstrapping”)
• Angel Investors
(“Initial Converts”)
• Private Equity/Venture Capital
(“Money at a Cost”)
• Government and Foundation Grants
(“Non-Dilutive Funding”)
• Economic Development Agencies
(“Slow and Steady”)
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC FUNDING STRATEGY

12. WHAT DO INVESTORS LOOK FOR IN A
FIRM? typically fall into one of the following three
Funders
categories when deciding on new entrepreneurial ventures
• Unique Idea – The product or service under consideration fills a
special need in a rapidly growing market segment of particular
interest to the Investor
• Seasoned Team – The proposed management team has
demonstrated success growing an enterprise from start-up through
its cash out phase (e.g. going public or strategic sale)
• Special Assets – The firm holds a portfolio of soft assets (e.g.
intellectual property/patents) or hardware (e.g. manufacturing
facilities or distribution network) that cab be liquidated if the
business ultimately fails
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC FUNDING STRATEGY

13. HOW DO YOU PITCH YOUR IDEA?
Potential funding partners will range from those who can
commit after an informal discussion to a long formal
approval process
• Be Confident – Remember that you are the subject matter expert
on your concept! You must radiate high energy and not get
distracted from the key message points of your unique proposal.
• Anticipate Questions – Expect that there will be objections to
some portion of your presentation. Trust in your fellow team
members to answer technical inquiries outside your expertise as it
demonstrates depth to Investors.
• Think Outside the Box – Consider innovative alternatives to
traditional funding sources when your encounter rejection (that is
sure to occur). For instance, partnering with a firm that has
complimentary technology could help get over the hump.
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC FUNDING STRATEGY

14. What are important lessons I learned?

15. WHAT ARE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED?
Three key things I found to be true that hopefully save you
some “growing pains” are as follows:
• First, you are the primary product being evaluated by any
potential investor. It can take numerous interactions to
build the rapport and trust needed to yield a cash influx.
• Second, you will be raising funds on an on-going basis as
a rapidly growing enterprise always needs additional
resources.
• Finally, it is much easier to deal with a smaller pool of
diversified capital sources. The more funders that you
must “schmooze” the less time to accomplish critical tasks
to advance the business.
NEW CANAAN ADVISORS LLC LESSONS LEARNED