Has anyone any experience with venture capital firms? How did you find the right one? How did you approach them? How did you prepare for the presentation?

Most of the larger firms specialize in specific capital levels i.e. mezzanine, start up etc. As you would expect the larger firms are inundated with all types of proposals you are better served if your capital requirements are not that large, trying to find a "white knight" someone who will come in and not take away control of your business - just provide the funding.

Do research on the Internet, find VCs or Angels that work with your type of business. View their process and fill out the forms exactly like they ask. Nothing extra, nothing left out.

I partner with an angel company, and will be teaching mini-business plan classes for their first rounders. However, the one I work with only allows businesses to go through their process when they are known to a member.

So go find out locally where they hang out, where they teach classes, etc. For example: in the Seattle area... there is nwen, mit forum, tie-seattle, wsa and a few other organizations where they have ESIF (Early-Stage Investment Forums) There are many organizations that work with VCs and Angels who offer such programs... usually they're sponsored by the investors.

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We went to a seminar like what was suggested above and learned a lot about the whole process I would recommend you attend one in your area as well.

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