Although this sounds like an elementary drill, selecting the right industry category may make the difference between getting that call and not. Most of our entrepreneurs can define their industry in a single category and for those of you that fit with that statement, read no further on this subject. Most investors are very clear on the deals they want to see and fund-they have unique strategies that include all of our criteria: Industry, Stage, Capital Required, Region and Capital Type. Since the matching system in the Capital Matchpoint is designed to be specific to criteria like industry selection, if you have a business model that crosses over categories, it is important to identify it as such. This can be accomplished by selecting multiple industries from the pick list inside the Entrepreneur Data Sheet. Hold down the control key and click your mouse over the appropriate selections for choosing multiple industries.

Currently, the Capital Matchpoint sorts across these industries: Aerospace & Defense, Agriculture & Fishery, Biotechnology, Business Products & Services, Chemicals & Materials, Communications & Networking, Computer & Peripherals, Consumer Products & Services, Distribution/Retailing, Diversified, Education/Training, Electronics, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Food Services & Products, Healthcare Services, IT Services, Industrial Products & Services, Internet Technologies, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Medical Devices & Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate, Semiconductors, Software, Telecommunications, and Transportation. Can you easily identify which category(ies) you fit into?

An example of where you want to use multiple industry selection would be: if you are a solar energy provider-a selection of Energy and Natural Resources combined with Environment. This will serve to get the attention of investor dollars looking from either direction and is a valid crossover description as well. A word of caution: be careful not to select too many industries! If you have a marginal crossover, it is best to avoid watering down your business model identification. While you want to portray your crossovers, you don't want to be unclear on what your business model is. This will only serve to turn off investor interest in the long run.

As always, if an entrepreneur needs assistance in deciding where they fit, or any other questions at all, they can call or email us at the Capital Matchpoint. We are here to make funding successes.