19A- Idea Napkin 2

Idea: I want to connect technology entrepreneurs with private investors to help fund their business ideas. Last summer, while working for a technology accelerator program, I learned that top issue most entrepreneurs struggle with is adequate funding. These technology startups, like many, have brilliant, lucrative ideas, but do not have the necessary funding, and struggle connect with potential investors. With my website, I want to connect entrepreneurs to private investors to speed up the investment search. In short, entrepreneurs and investors would set up profiles, entrepreneurs would post a synopsis of their project, and from there, investors could contact with them if interested. I believe my site would allow entrepreneurs to find funding more quickly, which in turn give them more time to focus on other issues.

About me:

• My name is Andreanna Hardy, and I'm a second year general business major with an interest in marketing and entrepreneurship. 
• Last summer, I worked for a technology accelerator program in Cleveland, OH, my home town, and worked with several technology entreprenurers in early phases of their business. 
• I aspire to have a well-balanced life-- equally satisfied in my work with my family with my social life with my physical and emotional health and with my passions/ hobbies. 
• If I were to start this business, it would allow me to pursue my passion for entrepreneurship with my job. From watching my mom, an entrepreneur, I understand that running the business requires dedication, hard work, and time. Hopefully, I would find a way to balance my work with the rest of my life.

 What am I offering:

• A website that directly connects entrepreneurs to early round, private investors to speed up the investment search.

Who am I offering it too:

• Aspiring technology entreprenurers
• Specifically entreprenurers with businesses that struggle to receive state/ federal funding
• For example, technology entreprenurers in the medical field, such as cancer research, more easily receive funding from the state/ federal government. 

Why they care:

• Connections with the right people = $ to invest in and grow your business
• Saved time from easily making connections to the right people = more time to spend other aspects of your business

My core competencies:

• I have experienced this struggle first hand while working with entreprenurers.
• I have connections with technology entreprenurers and with private investors that want to invest in these businesses.

I believe my background, experience and education fit together to succeed in this business. However, I am still very young. To fully pull this business off, I believe I need more experience under my belt and more connections.

Feedback memo:

• I received a comment that my idea was perhaps to "niche"
• While I appreciate the feedback from this comment, I disagree. I don't think they have the qualified background to assess the market for this website. However, I used this comment to further research my target audience. From my research, I found that some startups are easier to receive investment funds than others (like the medical industry, for example).
• I haven't received any other comments on my work except this one, so I do not have another comment to respond to at this time.