Science Park Skövde investing to empower startups in attracting venture capital
Anna Emanuelsson, business coach at Science Park Skövde AB, works on a daily basis to support companies in the process of finding financing.
Securing capital to realize their business idea is one of the biggest challenges for startups. Therefore, Science Park Skövde is now taking a new step to support startups by offering the Investment Readiness Process (IRP), a structured and effective learning process to increase the chances of attracting venture capital.
IRP was created in 2018 by entrepreneur and investor Björn Larsson and is used by several science parks and incubators throughout Sweden. Since February this year, Science Park Skövde has become a partner member, making IRP an additional tool for the science park in working with early-stage companies.
"After taking references and evaluating the needs of our companies, we realized that it would be valuable for us to try this as well," says Anna Emanuelsson, who is a certified IRP facilitator and business coach at Science Park Skövde AB.
Comprehensive and valuable process
With the help of IRP, the company works step by step to increase understanding of what it means to attract external capital. The process lasts for just over 2 months and results in documentation regarding the company's vision, budget, capital requirements, valuation, and the type of investors they are seeking.
"It is a comprehensive process for entrepreneurs, but it is extremely valuable. Primarily, it involves preparing companies for meetings with investors, more clearly showing investors the potential for return on their investment, but it also helps them understand all aspects of raising capital," explains Anna Emanuelsson and continues:
"We also see that our startups often need support in understanding what type of investors they are seeking and how it can affect their company in the long run."
"Entrepreneurs take the driver's seat"
In addition to helping companies prepare for investor meetings, IRP also offers an opportunity for skills development for business coaches at Science Park Skövde.
"With each IRP we conduct with one of our companies, the main coach for that company will participate as an observer during the process. This is to ensure that all business coaches develop their skills in the investment process," says Anna Emanuelsson.
The goal of IRP is for more entrepreneurs and companies to be well-prepared for meetings with potential investors.
"We want entrepreneurs to take the driver's seat and show what the investor gets for their money in a professional and clear manner. By doing so, we believe that more of our companies will attract capital so they can develop their business idea."
For more information, please contact:
Anna Emanuelsson, business coach with a focus on investment and financing, Science Park Skövde AB
Email: anna.emanuelsson@scienceparkskovde.se
Phone: 0705-14 78 56