1 - Human Capital

A world-class team is the foundation of a future global player. The success of a company is largely attributed to its team who is willing to do everything it takes to make their idea a big success.

Some of the essential elements we would need to see or help the company incorporate are:

  • Relevant experience
  • Leaders with a clear strategic vision
  • Enthusiasm
  • Pragmatism with a taste for risk

Part of our success can also be explained by the high number of serial entrepreneurs that we have backed multiple times.

2 - Inspiration

We are strong believers in the "Elevator Pitch" theory that the best ideas can be pitched in the simplest ways without losing its charm or appeal. An idea needs to be simple enough to be communicated efficiently to: A Client, A (Future) Employee, An Investor...

Moreover, while developing on the idea, founder(s) must sit down and assess the financial viability. This would involve asking some tough questions:

  • Does the idea address a need thereby creating value for the end-user?
  • What kind of resources i.e. people, infrastructure, money etc. will be required to run this company?
  • How capital intensive is the business model and what is the working capital structure?
  • What will be the source of the company’s income, and when will the income start to flow in?
  • What could be the possible exit strategies for an external investor?

3 - Market

A product or service is going to be used by people and we would like to know the potential number of such users. We strongly appreciate support from market research reports, workable models or beta solutions to understand the need or feel when the end consumer will use the proposed service.

Some of the points we would like to see being addressed are:

  • What is the market growth rate and the reasonable chance to enter and become a leader in this market?
  • Who will buy the product or service? In the case of a B2C model, what is the customer acquisition cost? Does your business model have any viral effect and can it expand internationally? In a B2B scenario, will companies need to allocate a special budget for your solution (and who is the decision maker who will pay for your solution?)
  • What is the average duration of the sales cycle?
  • Why would customers buy your solution (against your competitors if they exist)?
  • How can you build high entry barriers (patents, brand, first-mover...)?