Mashable's first #BizChats of 2016 went behind the scenes of the cut-throat world of finance to uncover some of the best strategies of Wall Street's top professionals.
[seealso slug="organize-money-2016"]
Over the course of an hour, @MashBusiness covered an array of topics ranging from the current landscape for angel investing, to the advantages and disadvantages of IPOs.
Andrew Ross Sorkin, award-winning financial columnist at The New York Times and co-creator/executive producer of BILLIONS, an intense new drama from Showtime, premiering Sunday at 10/9c, joined us for a special one-on-one conversation with the Mashable community.
Check out highlights from our chat in the Storify, below:
[View the story "#BizChats: How to raise capital" on Storify]#BizChats: How to raise capitalMashable's first #BizChats Twitter chat of 2016, discussed how entrepreneurs can tackle the basics of raising capital in the financial industry.Storified by Mashable· Thu, Jan 14 2016 19:15:48
IPOs, angel investments, hedge funds, unicorns . . .
Wall Street is saturated with moguls who know how to make money. But to your every-day entrepreneur looking to get their brand new business off the ground, the sole chatter of these kinds of topics can rattle the confidence right out of their boots.
With the start of a new year, we wanted to take the stigma out of Wall Street and shine the limelight on what really takes place in the financial district, how authentic it can be, and why entrepreneurs shouldn't be paranoid about raising capital.
@mashbusiness hosted a #BizChats Twitter chat to discuss how entrepreneurs can learn the basics of raising capital, featuring sole influencer, @Andrewrsorkin, co-creator/executive producer of BILLIONS, an intense new drama from Showtime, premiering Sunday at 10/9c. Welcome to #BizChats sponsored by @SHO_Billions! Today we're discussing the risks & rewards of raising capital. Please introduce yourselves!Mashable BusinessA special welcome to @Andrewrsorkin, co-creator/exec producer of #Billions! #BizChatsMashable Business#BizChats tip: Be sure to number your answers according to the question you're answering. (ie., Q1.--> A1., Q2. --> A2., Q3. --> A3.)Mashable BusinessQuestion 1:Q1. What's the current landscape for angel investing compared to the past? What are your projections for 2016? #BizChatsMashable Business@mashbusiness Q1. Angel investing is so much harder. We’re closer to 9th inning than 1st. Fundraising, my guess, will trail downward in 16.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 2:Q2. via Alan Pinto: When is the best time for a startup to raise funds and under what terms and conditions? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q2. Totally depends. Hoof it as long as you can. But don't wait to take money just when you need it. It might not be there.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 3:Q3. @Andrewrsorkin, which industries do you think are the most desirable to invest in right now? Why? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q3. Right now? Old school energy. Everything on sale…can’t stay that way forever. Also: Fintech. Banks will be disrupted.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 4:Q4. via Christian Nielsen: How should a startup push for better terms w/o looking too eager when vying for early-stage interest? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q4. Politely :)Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 5:Q5. @Andrewrsorkin, what are your favorite products, apps, and services that you’d recommend to investors and entrepreneurs? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q5. Also, I'm now into https://t.co/ufXzCRxPGQ for handwritten cardsAndrew Ross Sorkin.@mashbusiness Q5. By the way, on the RxBars, I'm addicted to blueberry and pumpkin.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 6:Q6. via Brandon Schaefer: How can businesses protect themselves from signing difficult to understand legal documents? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q6. Your most important relationship may be with your lawyer. Not a good place to skimp. I'm serious. #BizChatsAndrew Ross SorkinQuestion 7:Q7. @Andrewrsorkin, describe the difference between privatized vs. public funding. What are the pros and cons of each? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q7. Everyone says being private is better. But I’m not sure. Maybe early on. Being public brings disciple – and capitalAndrew Ross Sorkin.@mashbusiness typo! i meant "discipline."Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 8:Q8. via @Samantha_Fong: What your best advice for scaling a startup? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness @Samantha_Fong Q8. Investing in managers and infrastructure even when it feels too early. It's hard to be big w/o them.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 9:Q9. @Andrewrsorkin, in your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of an IPO?Mashable Business.@mashbusiness Q9. The advantage is capital and being on the public stage. The disadvantage is being on the public stage. #BizChatsAndrew Ross SorkinQuestion 10:Q10. via Ahmad Al-hadid: What is the most preferable in raising capital? Is it selling equity or borrowing funds? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q10. Great q. If you can comfortably afford the debt payments, better to take the loan. But that's hard for most startups.Andrew Ross SorkinQuestion 11:Q11. @Andrewrsorkin, what final tips do you have for raising capital successfully? #BizChatsMashable Business.@mashbusiness Q11. First : Honesty and integrity matter. Second: Don’t get too greedy. Third: Ask this q of Bobby Axelrod! #BillionsAndrew Ross SorkinClosing Comments:Thanks for joining #BizChats!Mashable BusinessSpecial thanks to @Andrewrsorkin, co-creator/exec producer of #Billions! #BizChatsMashable BusinessThanks for the great q's. This was a lot of fun. https://t.co/zFYSVbVDDhAndrew Ross SorkinMashable