Launchpad Venture Group understands that fund-raising is a difficult process which requires skills sometimes outside of the founders comfort zone. Regardless of whether we ultimately invest, our goal is to make the process as pleasant, efficient, and helpful as we possibly can. Starting a company is hard enough — Launchpad wants to do what it can to make the fund-raising process as comfortable and easy as possible.

Assessment of Fit

Launchpad members refer many of the companies which present. If you know a Launchpad member. that is often the best way to start your relationship with the group. If not, start by reviewing our investment criteria to determine if your company is a good fit with our areas of investment focus. If the fit seems good, you are encouraged to submit an application on-line as detailed below. (Launchpad does not accept hard-copy business plans.) If you are unsure about the fit, please send an email to to enquire about the likely level of interest.

Submit On-line

Launchpad maintains a secure, password protected application portal which will walk you through the application process steps and help you outline your thoughts. Creating a thorough and competitive application can take some time, but the system allows you to save your work as you go and complete your application in a number of sessions (nothing is transmitted to Launchpad until you complete and submit.) You may also edit or supplement your application after you submit it. The online process allows for advanced materials such as a short video, inclusion of your logo, and uploading of other presentation materials. It also creates a level playing filed for like-to-like comparisons and helps manage communications over the entire time you are working with Launchpad. If you have any questions about the application process, there are help resources on the site, and you can always send an email to to enquire about assistance.

Screening Process

Launchpad receives a large number of plans each month, but endeavors to respond to submissions promptly. Where there is no interest, we can generally let you know quickly (i.e. within a month), and in doing so, we will provide whatever suggestions or advice we can to assist you with your subsequent funding efforts.

Companies presenting a potentially good fit are discussed by Launchpads screening committee. In some cases a representative of your Company may be asked to come by and have a brief, informal discussion with the screening committee to clarify open questions.

If you are approved for presentation to the full Launchpad membership, you will be assigned a mentor and scheduled for the next available monthly meeting presentation slot. Your mentor will help you prepare for your presentation and act as a liaison with Launchpad.

Live Presentation to Meeting of Launchpad Membership

Companies invited to present to the full group should prepare to deliver a presentation of not more than 15 minutes, followed by a question & answer period of an additional 10 minutes. Because of tight-scheduling, respect for otherss schedules, your time limit will be enforced strictly; you should practice with a time limit to ensure that you can deliver your presentation well within the time allotted (see here for a discussion of the importance of practicing your pitch). There are myriad resources available to assist you in preparing for an angel investor presentation; however if you would like some guidelines or advice, you you can always send an email to to enquire about assistance.

Keep in mind that the purpose of the presentation is not to do a deep dive into your company history, founder biographies or special technologies it is a time for you to present an overview of your company, its products, the market it serves, and your hypothesis about why it will win. The due diligence process will provide ample time to dig into additional detail.

After the company presentations and Q&A are complete, Launchpad members discuss the companies privately and each member will indicate their level of interest on a summary sheet. Launchpad will contact you, generally later that day, to summarize the level of interest and discuss next steps.

Due Diligence Review

Where there is sufficient interest amongst individual members, a due diligence team will be formed and a point-person nominated to facilitate the process. Launchpad strongly encourages the use of cloud-based collaboration tools to ensure the process is efficient, and will make every possible effort to be respectful of the entrepreneurs time to allow a speedy return to a focus on growing the business; however, the diligence process is work, and the Companys management team must take an active role if the process is to be successful. How gracefully, efficiently and professionally the Company handles the diligence review is part of the overall evaluation. Please also be advised that during due diligence, steps will be taken to verify the key points in your business plan, presentation materials, and financial projections as well as to research your teams background and track record. You should expect diligence to take three to six weeks; sometimes longer if there are special circumstances.

Negotiation of Term Sheet & Selection of Closing Date

If the due diligence process is successful, one or more lead investors will begin the process of negotiating the structure of the financing round and drafting of a term sheet to reflect that structure. The term sheet is generally based on industry-standard building blocks and will cover the type of security being offered, the protections for investors, information rights and/or board of director representation. No formal investment documents will be drafted until interest on the term sheet is verified.

Solicitation of Interest From Members

Once a term sheet has been completed, it will be circulated to interested Launchpad members. If there remains sufficient interest in the terms being offered, the Launchpad will engage counsel who will draft investment documents, at the Companys expense, in preparation for a closing. Assuming no unusual delays, the closing should be within 4-8 weeks of initial presentation to the full Launchpad membership; however, if the size of the round requires syndication with other angels or angel groups, it may obviously take longer.

Initial Funding and Commencement of Investor Relationship

Launchpad members will each invest in their individual capacity, however, companies receiving funding from Launchpad have access to the full network of Launchpad members for help, contacts, and advice in growing the business, regardless of whether Launchpad has taken a board seat. Launchpads goal is to help your venture succeed, and we will do what we can to assist you.