The words were NOT an accurate reflection of the company I worked for.

Entrepreneurs have numerous options for obtaining funding to explore and validate their startup concept.

Seed funding has become the ‘participation award’ of startups.  While getting started is easier than ever, ultimate success is tougher than ever.

As Angels and VCs are tightening their fists, entrepreneurs are less likely to get next stage funding. Having a great team, pitch and front man are simply not enough.

One or two of every ten investments bring most of the returns to the portfolio of an angel investor, and it’s difficult to determine which of the companies will provide the returns.

I can confirm that not only will you increase your network with more successful individuals, you’ll form great relationships, learn from others about what it takes to become a great investor, and (maybe) get an early entry into the exciting and inspiring world of venture investing. You’ll also get a better sense of the big picture of the whole investment cycle.

The Billion Dollar Startup Club has 101 companies as of July 2015, with the number one private company valued at $46 billion. It’s no secret, technology has revolutionized entrepreneurship. The explosive growth of tech-based companies is at its highest since 1995, surpassing the dot-com boom of year 2000.

One dark rainy night on a muddy hillside in Germany, I learned what it meant to be a great organization.

If this research were to uncover the ‘secret sauce’, entrepreneurs could prepare accordingly and drastically increase their probability of successfully acquiring the funding.

 An entrepreneur without funding is a musician without an instrument.― Robert A. Rice Jr.