Some Colorado business owners who are seeking funding may be so relieved at receiving term sheets from an investor that they fail to do further due diligence. However, researching the venture capitalist ahead of time can give an entrepreneur an idea of how reliable an investment offer may be.
Why due diligence with venture capital is important
The first 100 days of a business acquisition
When a Colorado business looks to make a change and boost their profits through mergers and acquisitions, they may realize why advance planning can be so critical to success. In up to 80 percent of business mergers, predicted value increases do not live up to initial expectations. Sometimes, this could be due to unknown facts about the company that was acquired, but in many cases, these problems can be attributed to a lack of preparation on the part of the company leading the merger. Businesses seeking to integrate an acquisition should start their planning for the process long before the deal is completed, while they are continuing the due diligence steps before a contract is signed.
Muslim workplace discrimination rises in Colorado
Despite how long the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act has been present, many employers continue to commit discriminatory behavior towards workers of different genders, ages, races and religions. Religion has become a particularly touchy subject because some workers use their beliefs to potentially justify their actions against someone with a different creed or sexual orientation.
Tips for finding angel investors and impressing them
Entrepreneurs in Colorado often look for angel investors after the initial development of their new products or services. Angel investors can be individuals or groups of investors. A typical angel could be prepared to invest between $25,000 and $100,000 with the expectation that the investment will produce a return within three to five years. Angels and investor groups often focus on certain industries in which they possess expertise. Entrepreneurs should research appropriate investors to approach with proposals and prepare thoroughly for those meetings.
Lawsuit accuses Heaven's Door whiskey of trademark infringement
The company producing a new brand of whiskey inspired by Bob Dylan's 1973 hit song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" could soon be knocking on the courthouse door. Heaven Hill, a whiskey brand established since 1937, has filed a lawsuit claiming that the new brand name and logo for Heaven's Door whiskey is substantially similar to Heaven Hill's products and could confuse alcohol consumers in Colorado and elsewhere.
How startups should handle intellectual property
Colorado entrepreneurs who are starting new ventures must take steps to identify and protect their intellectual property. They should keep in mind that IP is more than just the product they are developing. It may also include logos, website copy, taglines and other assets. The best way to make sure that all intellectual property is identified is to list all creative assets and then consider whether each one needs protection.
