Founder, Funding Quest, LLC
I have worked closely with hundreds of startup companies since 1999, helping my clients raise more than $100 million in investor funding. I specialize in providing executive coaching services to guide startup companies through the process of raising angel investment.
Previously, I have served in a number of management positions at both large and small companies, with a concentration on marketing and product development. Earlier in my career I worked as a freelance writer on topics relating to information technology, and Compact Disc technology in particular. I am the author of numerous magazine articles, contributions to technical anthologies, and two books, including Eclipse: History, Science, Awe, a full-color pictorial tour of the history and science of total solar eclipses and details about how witnessing this spectacular natrual phenomenon evokes a dramatic experience of awe. I also enjoy teaching classes and presenting to audiences of all sizes. I received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and proudly served as an officer in the United States Navy.
I enjoy being an active volunteer, advisor, and educator in the Seattle startup community. Some of my signature programs include the following:
The Minimum Fundable Company® Test
This free online test (20 multiple-choice questions) is designed to give you an idea of how fundable your startup is. If you score above 50% in each of the five sections, there’s a good chance that your business meets the minimum threshold of fundability, and that you are ready to start pitching to investors. If not, the test results show you what areas you need to work on. Each question is accompanied by its own explanatory video clip. When you complete the test, you can view a chart of your results and download a detailed report as a PDF.
“Meet the Angels” annual program for MIT Enterprise Forum
Every spring (from 2014 to 2019) I enjoyed moderating a panel of investors who represent the main angel groups in the greater Seattle area, including Alliance of Angels, Keiretsu Forum Northwest, Puget Sound Venture Club, TiE Angel Group Seattle, WINGS, E8 Angels, Seattle Angel Conference, and others. This Venture Lab program was one of the most anticipated and well-attended programs of each season.
Building a Fundable Company 4-day course for Keiretsu Forum Academy
I designed the curriculum and organized the presenters (including myself) for this small-group seminar that was presented six times between 2013 and 2015. It covered the key topics entrepreneurs need to know to create a company that investors will fund. Here’s a typical comment from an attendee: “The wealth of experience, professionally delivered material, and spot-on relevance make the course a valuable investment for any early stage entrepreneur.”
The Funding Quest One-Day Workshop
How to Get Angel Investors to Finance Your Business
I created and presented this program a number of times in 2013 and 2014 to startup founders on the path to raising investor funding. A key element of this workshop was helping entrepreneurs learn to think like an investor.
Business Plan Writing Workshops for the Northwest Entrepreneur Network
This program, which I presented at least a dozen times from 2008 to 2012, provided attendees with the basics of what investors look for in a business plan. The Northwest Entrepreneur Network was a great organization that I was glad to support in many ways over the years. Notably, I served as Committee Chairperson for the Entrepreneur University event on Nov. 6, 2008.
Get Funded Half-Day Seminar for ZINO Society
Winning Strategies for Courting Angel Investors
In cooperation with ZINO Society, I planned and presented this half-day program about a dozen times from 2010 to 2012. The seminar provided an extensive introduction to the angel funding process, with a focus on what goes into making a compelling pitch deck to present to investors. Here’s a typical comment from an attendee: “In depth in scope, lots to cover, so touched on most important topics. Great participation and Q&A.”
In addition to the above signature programs, I have enjoyed serving in numerous capacities (as a judge, panelist, moderator, speaker, coach, advisor, etc.) for the University of Washington (UW) Center for Commercialization, UW Executive MBA program, UW graduate business school guest lecturer, UW Business Plan Competition, Seattle University entrepreneurship program, Washington Technology Center, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, Clean Tech Open, Puget Sound Venture Club, Seattle Angel Conference, Social Innovation Fast Pitch, and others.
“Minimum Fundable Company” is a registered trademark of Funding Quest, LLC.