When evaluating a company to invest in and work with, the most important issue for us is the experience, drive, integrity and capability of the management team. Among the questions we ask are the following:

Management
• Is there a capable and experienced management team in place? Are these people whom we trust? Do they have a track record of success?
• Is the management team dedicated to increasing shareholder value? Have they met their forecasts in the past?
• Is there a commitment to conducting business in a first-class manner and with unquestioned integrity in all dealings with customers, suppliers, employees and investors?

Governance
•  Is there a clean, straightforward corporate and financial structure?
• Is there now a capable and independent board of directors or a commitment to put such a group in place?
• Are our interests and those of the management and fellow investors aligned? Does the proposed transaction ensure that we are all on the same side of the table once an investment is made?

Other Investors
• Do they bring value? Are they experienced? What is their track record of supporting other portfolio companies? Have they been through difficult as well as good times?

The Business
• Is the company beyond major groundbreaking R&D expenditures on product development? Has it demonstrated market need for its product? Does its product or service offer genuine value to customers?
•  Is there a large market opportunity that can be readily addressed?
• Does the company have, and is it implementing, a clear and effective business model?
•  Is the company looking for capital to complete a product or service rollout, meet working-capital needs, expand distribution and sales channels, or make acquisitions?
• Does the company have the attributes that will later make a successful public company?