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Richard Odessey

Welcome to private money prep school where you will learn the secrets of successfully raising private money for you business or real estate deal.

My name is Professor Richard Odessey, and I'll be leading you through the course. I am an entrepreneur that started my own business and successfully raised capital and I am also an investor in businesses and real estate. So, I've been where you are and I've been where your investors are.

When it came to funding my deals, I had a very expensive education in the school of hard knocks, before I figured out the secrets of raising capital from private investors.

Read more

Welcome to private money prep school where you will learn the secrets of successfully raising private money for you business or real estate deal.

My name is Professor Richard Odessey, and I'll be leading you through the course. I am an entrepreneur that started my own business and successfully raised capital and I am also an investor in businesses and real estate. So, I've been where you are and I've been where your investors are.

When it came to funding my deals, I had a very expensive education in the school of hard knocks, before I figured out the secrets of raising capital from private investors.

Over the course of the last few years I've worked on over 100 private money deals. And now, I help business owners in a wide variety of industries from renewable energy to real estate to raise the capital they need. And I know I can help you too.

I've designed this course specifically for business owners, real estate entrepreneurs, and those wishing to start a business, and need capital to reach their goals.

At the end of this course you will understand the little known secrets of how private money works, and you will be able to structure your funding by offering private investors what they want, provide the information that will get their attention, and avoid the pitfalls that will turn them away.

I will walk you through this process step by step. And through the tools and checklists you will be provided in the course, you will be able to create a blueprint for raising private money that is specific to your particular business or project.

I look forward to seeing you in class and working with you to get the financing you need.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objective

Structure their business or project to attract investment money

Syllabus

Introduction

Where to get the Money

Why Banks won't fund your business

Professor Richard's credentials

Read more

Why you shouldn't waste your time with Banks

Why Private Money is the preferred choice for start up and growth capital

Who are the real wealthy that invest in business? Things aren't always what they appear to be

Defining who the investors are that you need to look for to fund your business

The art of putting yourself in your investor's shoes

Understanding the difference between an exit for the investor vs. the entrepreneur

How to be Flexible and Creative in setting the terms of investment that will satisfy your investor

With so many possibilities for creating an ROI, it should be possible to find mutually agreeable terms.

Underwriting fees - whether & how much you should pay. Be Prepared: What investors need for due diligence.

Valuing your business for Equity Investments

How investors view the acquisition of major assets by the company

Finder's and brokers fees. When they should be paid, legal considerations, and investor perceptions.

Beating the competition and acquiring customers at a profit

Investor perceived risks of employees

Operational costs and "burn rate" concerns of investors

External factors can have a major impact on your business so it is important you address them with investors

how should you set the price of a share or value of a percentage of ownership? - Asset based Valuation

How to set the value of an equity investment in a start-up or pre-revenue company

Demonstration video on using the Investor ROI Calculator to determine the value of an investment

How to accurately calculate the value of Real Estate. Bonus: the best way to do "comps"

If you are a tangible product based business, you probably have to deal with the issue of inventory.

Inventory is a double edged sword. On the one hand, having lots of inventory ties up capital, and could choke the life blood out of a business. On the other hand, a business needs some inventory to fulfill customer orders in a timely manner

The most important thing for a business is Cash. Buy LOW if you want to survive.

How to price and negotiate finder's fees and get your investor to buy in.

Customers (people or entities which create revenue for a business) are the business' sustenance. A company without customers (or enough customers), will expire quickly. Investors don't like that kind of investment :).

What is Crowd Funding. Who can use crowd funding both to raise capital and prove marketability

Every business, even brick and mortar businesses need to have an online presence. And I mean not just a token website, but a functioning and effective site for selling the business' goods and services. Without this, any investor that reviews your offering is going to think you are an outmoded dinosaur. And he or she will be highly dis-incentivized to invest. Even in real estate, successful businesses have a website to attract and manage buyers, sellers, brokers, etc

Defining your competition too narrowly to make your product or service stand out is a good way to lose the confidence and respect of an investor. Because it delivers the message "I don't really know my market." We discuss how to define and research your competition

How to create and improve a marketing plan that will satisfy investors.

Don't. marketing is a revenue producing activity, and the amount spent should be based on ROI.

Big Profits are what attracts investors. They don't want a little extra income, they want a windfall.

"I'd rather invest in a great team with a mediocre idea, than a mediocre team with a great idea." - so here's how to build a great team.

The successful operation of every business requires expertise. How to acquire what you don't have.

A big benefit for companies and investors

The integrity and character of you and your team can make or break a deal

Why most investors require this

Knowing and understanding in great detail, the financial aspects of your business is a key factor in establishing credibility with an investor. One strike and you're out.

Employees are EXPENSIVE. Investors know this, and are very skeptical of plans that include the hiring of paid employees before there is revenue to pay them. Here's how to deal with this.

Considering that most young companies have a burn rate that is draining them of their financial life blood, a.k.a. their investor's money, managing expenses is a mission critical activity. Here's how to deal this this.

Track every expense and dollar of revenue from day 1. Here's how to do this without being overwhelmed.

If you are a brick and mortar business, or a real estate based business, or you picking an area to test out a marketing campaign, knowledge of the local market is crucial to your successful. Here's what you should do.

The world we live in is very interconnected. It is not unusual for events half a globe away to impact your business. Investors are aware of this and you must be too

Nobody has a crystal ball. However, all investors want to see your projections (best guess) of how your business or project will fare for at least until the investor can exit the investment with his/her return of capital and profit. How to be clear and accurate about your assumptions.

And how to create your pro forma. Downloadable spreadsheets to help you.

Well one of the most important of those concerns is "WHEN" is your investor going to get his money back. A key part of your exit strategy should be getting the investor paid off as soon as possible. Here's how to plan it.

A catchy little mnemonic device when setting up milestones.

Make sure you are prepared for the exit event. Here's what it takes to go through an IPO or acquisition

ROI is return on investment over a specific time period. For equity investments this can be a big advantage for the investor. We show you how.

There are times and circumstances when the original plan cannot be carried out. Well, it's time to implement Plan B. Here's how.

Because now you know how investors think, what they consider the important criteria that a business needs to qualify for funding, And you possess techniques and solutions to transform your business into a funding magnet.

Creating a well-constructed executive summary of your offering, that draw interested investors to you. Without it, you are at a great disadvantage.

How to create a presentation without difficulty, and deliver it without stage fright.

There are legal procedures you have to carry out, before you raise capital from private investors. You must abide by them--it is the law. How to do this without it costing and arm and a leg.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides tools and checklists to create a blueprint for raising private money tailored to a specific business or project, which is useful for entrepreneurs
Explores the perspective of investors, which helps business owners understand how to structure their funding requests and improve their chances of securing capital
Covers topics such as business valuation, risk assessment, and financial projections, which are essential for attracting and retaining investors
Discusses the importance of an online presence and effective marketing strategies, which are crucial for modern businesses seeking investment
Requires learners to understand legal procedures for raising capital from private investors, which may require additional research or consultation
Teaches how to analyze the value of assets, including real estate and equipment, which may be less relevant for businesses without tangible assets

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to raising private capital

According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide to raising private capital, particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs and business owners. Students frequently highlight the step-by-step approach and the valuable insights drawn from the instructor's extensive real-world experience. Many found the course provided a clear roadmap and actionable strategies they could immediately apply to their own businesses or projects. The included templates and checklists are also often mentioned as being especially useful tools. While some suggest it's particularly well-suited for those new to fundraising, the consensus points to its effectiveness in demystifying the private money process and preparing individuals to seek investment.
Excellent starting point for those new to fundraising.
"This course is perfect if you are new to the world of raising capital for your business."
"Great overview and foundation, especially helpful for someone just starting out."
"While it covers the essentials thoroughly, seasoned entrepreneurs might find some parts review."
Provides useful templates and checklists for implementation.
"The downloadable tools and checklists provided were incredibly useful for organizing my plan."
"I particularly liked the templates for creating the executive summary and presentation."
"The resources alone are worth it; they give you practical things to work with."
Instructor's experience provides valuable, credible insights.
"Professor Odessey's real-world experience in both raising capital and investing really shines through."
"His background added so much credibility to the material; you know he's been there."
"Learned valuable insights directly from someone who has worked on over 100 private money deals."
Offers a clear, actionable roadmap for raising capital.
"I appreciated the step-by-step approach the professor took to explain the process of raising private money."
"This course gives you a clear roadmap... breaking down what felt overwhelming into manageable steps."
"The course walks you through the process step-by-step, helping you structure your approach."
"I learned actionable strategies that I felt confident applying immediately after the course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Raising Capital for Your Business with these activities:
Review Financial Statements
Refresh your understanding of financial statements to better analyze your business's financial health and attract investors.
Browse courses on Financial Statements
Show steps
  • Review the components of financial statements.
  • Practice analyzing sample financial statements.
Read 'Venture Deals'
Understand the intricacies of venture capital deals to negotiate favorable terms for your business.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key terms and concepts.
  • Discuss the concepts with a mentor or advisor.
Read 'The Intelligent Investor'
Gain insights into investor psychology and valuation techniques to improve your chances of securing funding.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Apply the principles to your own business plan.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write a Business Plan Summary
Summarize your business plan into a concise and persuasive document that captures the attention of potential investors.
Show steps
  • Identify the key elements of your business plan.
  • Write a clear and concise summary.
  • Get feedback on your summary.
Attend Startup Events
Connect with other entrepreneurs and investors to expand your network and learn about funding opportunities.
Show steps
  • Search for startup events in your area.
  • Prepare a short elevator pitch.
  • Follow up with contacts after the event.
Develop an Investor Pitch Deck
Create a compelling pitch deck that highlights your business's value proposition and investment potential.
Show steps
  • Research successful pitch decks.
  • Outline the key sections of your pitch deck.
  • Design visually appealing slides.
  • Practice your pitch delivery.
Practice Valuation Calculations
Reinforce your understanding of business valuation by working through practice problems.
Show steps
  • Find sample valuation problems online.
  • Calculate the value of different businesses.
  • Compare your results with the solutions.

Career center

Learners who complete Raising Capital for Your Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Startup Founder
Startup founders frequently need to raise capital to launch and grow their businesses. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" directly addresses this need, providing startup founders with the knowledge and tools to successfully secure private funding. The course covers a range of relevant topics for a startup founder, from identifying potential investors to understanding their investment criteria and structuring deals that are mutually beneficial. A startup founder will find the course's focus on creating a blueprint for raising private money to be especially valuable.
Real Estate Developer
Real estate developers often require significant capital to fund their projects, making them frequent users of private money. This course, "Raising Capital for Your Business," will help a real estate developer structure their deals, understand investor expectations, and avoid common pitfalls. The course covers topics such as valuing assets, which is particularly important in real estate, and structuring funding to attract private investors. The course’s checklists and tools can be used by a real estate developer to create a blueprint for raising private money specific to their projects.
Fundraising Manager
A fundraising manager plays a crucial role in securing financial resources for organizations, often working with private investors. This role involves identifying potential donors, cultivating relationships, and soliciting contributions. The "Raising Capital for Your Business" course can help a fundraising manager understand the investor mindset, structure funding, and navigate the nuances of private money. Understanding what investors look for and how to present opportunities effectively is crucial for a fundraising manager. The course’s focus on structuring a business or project to attract investment money directly aligns with the core responsibilities of this job.
Business Development Manager
The business development manager is responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities to drive revenue growth. This often involves securing funding for new projects or expansion initiatives. A course like "Raising Capital for Your Business" can help a business development manager understand how investors evaluate opportunities, what information they need, and how to structure deals that are attractive to them. Learning how to analyze business valuations and present information effectively are key aspects of this role. The course's emphasis on identifying investors and understanding their ROI is directly relevant to a business development manager's goals.
Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Financial Officer oversees the financial operations of a company. A key element of the work involves securing funding to support business initiatives. This course, "Raising Capital for Your Business", teaches a CFO how to appeal to investors or lenders by understanding their needs. A CFO can increase the likelihood of securing favorable funding terms. A CFO that takes this course is better equipped to create accurate financial projections that will be critical for success.
Business Broker
Business brokers help facilitate the sale of businesses, often working with both buyers and sellers to negotiate deals. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" will help a business broker understand how businesses can be structured to attract potential investors or buyers. Understanding investor criteria and valuation methods is crucial for a business broker. The course’s emphasis on analyzing business valuations and understanding investor ROI is directly relevant to a business broker's work.
Investment Banker
Investment bankers advise companies on raising capital through various means, including private placements. The "Raising Capital for Your Business" course can help an investment banker better understand the needs and expectations of private investors, as well as the challenges faced by entrepreneurs seeking funding. This understanding can be useful in structuring deals and advising clients on how to make their businesses more attractive to investors. The course’s focus on structuring funding and understanding investor ROI is directly relevant.
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for managing a company's financial resources. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" will help a treasurer become more familiar with the best practices for attracting private investors. The course will provide guidance on how to create an executive summary of the offering. With this knowledge, the treasurer will become more skilled in managing investor relations, ensuring that the company's funding needs are met effectively.
Management Consultant
Management consultants advise organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. This often involves helping them develop strategies for growth and securing funding. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" can help a management consultant better understand the challenges that businesses face when seeking capital, and how to advise their clients on overcoming those challenges. Consultants can leverage specific lessons from the course to help clients become more attractive to investors.
Venture Capital Associate
Venture capital associates assist in evaluating potential investment opportunities and managing existing investments. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" may help provide valuable insights into the mindset of entrepreneurs seeking funding, as well as the challenges they face. Understanding how entrepreneurs structure their businesses to attract investment money can help a venture capital associate better assess the viability of a potential investment. The course's detailed syllabus, which includes analyzing business valuations and understanding investor ROI, could be helpful.
Private Equity Analyst
The private equity analyst is responsible for researching and analyzing potential investment opportunities for private equity firms. This role requires a strong understanding of financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation techniques. The "Raising Capital for Your Business" course may provide an interesting understanding into the mindset of company founders, and how they are analyzing the investor landscape. This can help a private equity analyst when making difficult valuation and modeling decisions.
Angel Investor
Angel investors provide capital to startups and small businesses, often in exchange for equity. While an angel investor may already be experienced, the "Raising Capital for Your Business" course could provide a fresh perspective on how entrepreneurs approach fundraising and structure their deals. This understanding could inform their investment decisions and help them identify promising opportunities. The course’s focus on business valuation and understanding the entrepreneur's perspective may be useful.
Financial Advisor
Financial advisors provide guidance to clients on investment strategies and financial planning. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" may give a financial advisor a deeper understanding of private equity and alternative investment options. This knowledge can be used to better advise clients who are interested in investing in or raising capital for private businesses. The course's insights into investor ROI and business valuation can be particularly helpful in this context.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio managers oversee investment portfolios, making decisions about asset allocation and investment selection. The course "Raising Capital for Your Business" may give a porfolio manager new insight on alternative investments like private placements of equity or debt. The course's focus on understanding investor ROI can also help inform decisions made when evaluating investment performance.
Commercial Lender
Commercial lenders evaluate loan applications from businesses and make decisions about extending credit. The "Raising Capital for Your Business" course may give a commercial lender insight into the perspective of businesses seeking funding, and how they are positioning themselves to attract investment. This perspective could be valuable in assessing the creditworthiness of loan applicants. The course's detailed syllabus, including methods of analyzing business valuations, could be helpful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Raising Capital for Your Business.
Classic guide to value investing, providing a framework for analyzing financial statements and understanding market behavior. It's particularly useful for understanding how investors evaluate businesses and make decisions, which is crucial for entrepreneurs seeking funding. While focused on stock market investing, the principles of value and risk assessment are directly applicable to private equity and business valuation. It commonly used textbook.
Provides a comprehensive overview of venture capital financing, covering term sheets, valuation, and negotiation strategies. It's highly relevant for entrepreneurs seeking venture capital, as it demystifies the fundraising process and empowers them to negotiate effectively. The book helps entrepreneurs understand the investor's perspective and structure deals that are mutually beneficial. It commonly used textbook.

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