In today's climate, one may think that there is a scramble to find good quality deals. Much to the contrary, the rule of the day is "proceed with caution". This is not to say that Investors are not looking at more companies to find the good deals to fund, though. So it pays to make sure that you get your company out there and also to be sure that you get it front of the right Capital Provider. After all, putting your opportunity in front of an Investor who is only looking for a hula hoop maker in Hawaii is not going to help either side advance their interests if you are not one.

How do you do this? First, make sure that the Investor is taking a look at deals in your company's Industry. Using the Capital Matchpoint can help direct you to the right places, but understand that there are some firms looking for specialty industries such as Consumer Products or Real Estate and that having a great company won't get you an ounce of attention. Capital Providers usually make it clear what they are interested in, so take time to use the Capital Matchpoint to sort your criteria, or at least read the Investor's website and research the Industries they are interested in now. Choose only the ones that fit, or chances are your deal will end up in the can.

Next, determine what stage your company is in-light bulb, seed, start-up, early stage, expansion, etc...again, knowing that certain capital providers have a tendency to invest only in some stages, while excluding others.

Last, based on the stage and operating history of your company, learn the differences between the various types of Capital Providers. First decide on debt versus equity, then look at: Angels, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Hedge Funds and Small Business Financing. Each gives a clear picture of what you can expect in the terms of a funding. Look for more on the specifics of linking up with a successful funding by understanding the specifics of Industry, Stage and Capital Type in my next posts.