SFA's Maker Prep series is an online educational program designed to provide young companies with the building blocks and knowledge base they need to do business in the specialty food industry. As part of the ongoing series, we offer the Funding Your Business webinar bundle, which includes three webinars:
Funding Your Business: The First Key Steps. This webinar introduces founders and their teams to the basics of financing a business. An experienced food investor shares what she looks for when investing in early-stage companies. The session covers clarifying objectives and timeline, determining how much do you need, appropriate funding options at each stage of your business, connecting with and telling your story to investors and banks, and basic ways to think about valuation and deal structure. You'll also receive a list of useful resources so you can continue learning on your own.
Funding Your Business: Working with Investors. When you are ready to start thinking about launching and scaling your business, you're likely going to need money from outside sources. Join Bob Burke of Natural Products Consulting and Nick McCoy, co-founder and managing director with Whipstitch Capital, one of the largest independent investment bank in the U.S solely focused on the better-for-you consumer sector, as they cover some of the sources to consider as you get started, including friends and family, crowdfunding, and state and government funds. They also delve into best practices for considering angel investors and institutional investors and investigate some sample deal structures, including convertible debt, equity, and preferences.
Funding Your Business: Working with Lenders. As you progress toward your business goals, you may be considering taking on some debt to take the next steps toward success. Bob Burke of Natural Products Consulting and Keith Kohler, president of K2 Financing, will cover opportunities and best practices for SBA loans, grants, bank loans, lines of credit, and asset-based and accounts receivable financing.
The Funding Your Business webinar bundle is free for SFA members and $50 for non-members. Sessions can also be purchased individually, free for SFA members and $19 each for non-members. Visit our Learning Center for more.
Related: Industry Voices: Spill & Dish SFA Podcast Guests; A Second Look at the Spice Rack.