A. Our Process -
While each of our General Partners offers specific strategic, operational, and financial expertise, every investment decision at Platees is made by the entire partnership.
Typically, one of our investment professionals will engage with you, the entrepreneur to discuss your vision and to evaluate your business plan.
If the company fits within our investment criteria, we may schedule an initial introductory meeting to learn more about your company’s product or service and your management team.

If there seems to be a good match between Platees and your company, we will then conduct thorough diligence to gain a strong understanding of the business and its market drivers. Our diligence may involve a visit to the company site, customer reference calls, product/technology evaluation, or in-depth market research.
Because we place exceptionally high value on the management team, we like to make sure both parties have a chance to meet in person and to become acquainted with each other.
A presentation to the entire Platees partnership is usually the final step in the process.


B. Our Priority -
At Platees Capital Ventures, entrepreneurs are our first priority.
We like to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our portfolio company management teams. Whether it is strengthening the team, developing a financial strategy, or determining how to take advantage of rapidly changing markets, we are an active supporting partner committed to overcoming the many challenges that confront entrepreneurs.

Throughout each of our funds, we have found that the venture capital business works more smoothly when we live and breathe a team-based, collaborative approach.
We make every effort to roll our sleeves up and become active members of every team we invest in.


C. Evaluation Criteria -
There are typically five key areas that we assess when we evaluate a company:

1. Management Team and Business Opportunity
Who is on your team and what have they done prior to your venture?
What are the roles and responsibilities of your team members?
What is your vision/mission? What is your product or service and how will it work?

2. Uniqueness
What are competitors doing?
How is your company differentiated?
How will you gain / maintain market dominance?
Do you have any patents? What are the barriers to entry in your market?

3. Size and Nature of Market
What is the historic and projected market size of your industry?
Are there any recent trends that may affect your business strategy?

4. Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy
What is your primary source for revenue?
Is your business model sustainable?
How will your company be paid for the value it creates?
How do you plan to approach your market?
What kind of traction have you gained thus far?

5. Financials and Investment Round Considerations
What does your current balance sheet look like?
How many people work for your company?

In your business plan or investor summary, please address these areas.


D. Our Principles -
The process of obtaining funding is an important point in your company’s development. We understand how difficult it can be to run a business while also fundraising, so we strive to make it easier for you.
We try to make each meeting as constructive and helpful as possible.
In many cases, we will be familiar with your market and business model.
If your company falls outside of the areas of expertise that we describe in our Investment Strategy, we will work quickly to pull ourselves up to speed on your market.
We want to understand your business opportunities as well as you do.

We endeavor to be straightforward, responsive, and reliable.
At all stages of our diligence, we will provide you with as much feedback as possible.
It is often the case that we will meet with entrepreneurs and provide strategic advice and business model guidance weeks before financing options are discussed.

We make an effort to introduce entrepreneurs to our network of outside industry contacts. We have tremendous respect for entrepreneurship and while we cannot fund every entrepreneur we meet, we do try to offer as much help as possible.