Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Sramana Mitra

CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2006

Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Sramana Mitra is writing a series called Investment Thesis in her Blog, Sramana Mitra on Strategy. This series is a result of discussions with numerous entrepreneurs who are generally feeling that VCs are only interested in coming to the rescue of victory, and not really playing the role of risk-investors.

In her interviews with Venture Capitalists, and Angels, she asks questions like:

What stage are you looking to invest in over the next 6-12 months? What segment(s)? What market dynamics do you look for?

What size of investment are you looking to make?

What are your key investments and the rationale behind making those investments. This will help entrepreneurs understand how you process deals.

What kinds of deals are you interested in seeing?

a.. Describe, in some detail, the last deal you funded, and your rationale behind funding it.

b.. Do you fund capital-intensive deals?

c.. Do you fund built-to-flip deals?

d.. Do you fund "hits" businesses?

Describe your ideal entrepreneur.

Which VCs do you like to work with as part of a syndicate or follow-on?

What is your thesis on entrepreneurial / investment opportunities given the state of the market? What markets are likely to crash? What markets are likely to open up?

Recently, The Economist did a story called Business Angels: Giving Ideas Wings, addressing a similar concern. Sramana's series is specifically focused on the technology venture industry, by far the most active segment of the startup business.

From her recent post, "The Quest for Seed Continues":

"It is true. Most VCs don't do much early-stage investment anymore.

But since you would have to continue building your businesses, you need to find angels & perhaps some smaller VCs who would do your seed round. There are a few exceptions.

Here are four interviews with VCs from my Investment Thesis series that might help you think through your choices. I will continue this series further, and dig more into the topic later.

George Zachary, Charles River Ventures - Does seed investments, mostly in consumer plays, and open to any entrepreneur - proven or not. Alessandro Biral, Dali Hook Ventures - Does seed only if they already know you. Sumir Chadha, Sequoia Capital - Does seed, especially because his focus is India, and there are hardly any seed funds in India. Looking aggressively for deals, and competing in a very hot market. Alex Osadzinski, Trinity Ventures - Does seed only if they already know you."

About Sramana Mitra:

Sramana Mitra has been an entrepreneur and a strategy consultant in Silicon Valley since 1994. Her fields of experience span from hard core technology disciplines like semiconductors to sophisticated consumer marketing industries including fashion and education.

As an entrepreneur CEO, Sramana founded 3 companies: Dais (Off-shore Software Services), Intarka (Sales Lead Generation and Qualification Software; VC: NEA) and Uuma (Online Personalized Store for selling clothes using Expert Systems software; VC: Redwood). Two of these were acquired, while the third received an acquisition offer from Ralph Lauren which the company did not accept.

In her current role as a strategy consultant, Sramana consults with public companies like SAP (Enterprise Software), Cadence Design Systems (Electronic Design Automation), Webex (Online Collaboration), KLA-Tencor (Semiconductor Capital Equipment), Tessera (Electronics Miniaturization) among others. Over the last five years as a consultant, her work has also included numerous startups and VCs, and she played Interim VP Marketing roles for seven such ventures. Sramana has a proven track-record in turn-arounds, both small private companies (Example: think3) and divisions of larger companies (Example: a $ 100 Million Business Unit of Cadence). She has also created major growth strategies through new market penetration, M&A, Industry Roll-ups, etc.

Sramana has a Masters degree in EECS from MIT and a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Economics from Smith College. She is on the Board of the MIT Club of Northern California's Entrepreneurship Program.

contact: http://www.sramanamitra.com/contactme/

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Top Entrepreneur, Turned Author, Releases New Book for All Consumers: The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy.

Fort Collins, CO (PRWEB) December 10, 2007

Entrepreneur, and now author, Braun Mincher has released his first book, The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy. The 472-page information-packed book is being considered by many as the "Encyclopedia of Personal Finance" and is the single-source of what EVERYONE (young or old, rich or poor) needs to know about basic Financial Literacy. Braun Mincher was inspired several years ago to write this book after seeing how financially illiterate many consumers are, and how little is being done in the way of financial education at any age or degree level. Topics in the book include: Consumer Credit, Mortgages, Real Estate, Car Buying, Insurance, Taxes, Investing & Saving for the Future, Estate Planning and Keys for Financial Success.

Author Braun Mincher is a young and successful entrepreneur who had the ability to "retire" several years ago at the age of 30, a self-made multi-millionaire, despite dropping out of college to grow his first business. His new book is targeted to all consumers, regardless of age, education or income level, and not just the business or financial savvy, as many competing titles cater to. Using a concise and conversational writing style, Braun reveals what is not taught in schools, at any level, short of a specialized degree. Because of the practical, rather than theoretical, manner in which the information is presented, using real-life examples and case studies, readers will clearly see how items of interest relate to their own individual financial situations.

Would you believe that doctors and lawyers make the same financial mistakes as homeless people? According to Braun Mincher, "40% of consumers live beyond their means, half are living paycheck-to-paycheck, and the national savings rate is now a negative number. We need to reverse this trend through better financial education of both adults and students or we face dire consequences in the coming years." Mincher has developed a highly comprehensive website at FinancialLiteracyQuiz.com with numerous resources to better educate consumers about all aspects of Practical Financial Literacy. One of the highlights is a multiple-choice, 50-question, "Financial Literacy Quiz" where visitors can test their own knowledge and compare scores with their friends. However, those not able to pass the quiz with a score of at least 75% should seek additional Financial Literacy education.

Following Braun Mincher's financial advice will help readers to:

Make more money by putting them in better control of their finances;
Save them money; possibly thousands of dollars over a lifetime; and,
Be better educated consumers when it comes to money.
Anybody can write a book, but Braun Mincher is equally passionate about creating a nationwide movement and positive change of behavior when it comes to personal finance. To this end, he has issued a "Challenge" to high schools and colleges across the country to make practical Financial Literacy classes a graduation requirement, just like math, English, science, etc. Presently, only 7 states have such a requirement. Naturally, most parents and business leaders are in favor of this initiative, but some in the academic and education communities have pushed back with a multitude of excuses. Not easily taking "no" for an answer, and in the same entrepreneurial fashion that made him a success in business, Braun Mincher is forging ahead with his project, and subject to certain conditions, is not only offering to provide the curriculum, but also offering a textbook for each student at no charge.

The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy is available through BraunMincher.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other nationwide retailers. The ISBN-13 is 978-0-9797003-0-9 and the soft cover price is $ 21.95.

About the Author: Braun Mincher is a young and successful entrepreneur who had the ability to "retire" several years ago at the age of 30, a self-made multi-millionaire, despite dropping out of college to grow his first business. NBC's Today Show, The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, Success, POV and Nation's Business--have all showcased his talents. Winner of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award, Braun was able to become financially independent by working hard and following his own financial advice, which is now shared in his new book--and others have paid Braun $ 300 an hour to obtain. He now pursues his passion of better educating ALL consumers, and not just the business or financial savvy, on the topic of Practical Financial Literacy.

For Additional Media Information or to Arrange an Interview:

Email: Media(at)BraunMincher.com

Phone: (970) 212-2400, Option #2 (Media Relations)

BraunMincher.com

FinancialLiteracyQuiz.com

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