investors Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

The Investor’s Perspective: How Pitch Decks Often Miss the Point

Written on October 24, 2022. Posted in Early Stage.

Over the years, we’ve seen thousands of pitch decks and had countless conversations with both investors and early-stage startup founders about investment opportunities. As a result, we’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of both the solicitor and the solicitee’s perspective. Generally speaking, pitch decks tend to be too long and not comprehensive enough in addressing the financials; but this article focuses on one particular slide: the use-of-funds slide. We explain the purpose...

Environmental Social Governance: What’s Trending in 2022

Written on April 12, 2022. Posted in General Business.

2021 proved to be an unprecedented year on many fronts, not the least of which was the explosion of ESG, in both urgency and visibility. Companies face changing expectations, not only from investors and regulators but from customers, employees and lenders, who are demanding greater accountability and transparency around ESG factors. The big question now is whether that momentum will continue. ESG remains a growing force and continues to be further embedded into both regulatory and...

How and how often should I communicate with my investors?

Written on March 17, 2022. Posted in Early Stage, Startups, Uncategorized.

You’ve honed your business plan, you’ve implemented systems and processes, you’ve pitched (and pitched, and pitched again) to prospective financial partners. You’re finally fully funded, but now you face a new problem: Your investors need to stay briefed on the business. What’s the best way to communicate with your supporters, and how frequently should they receive updates? This question has come up countless times with our clients over the years, and we’ve learned a thing or two...

Can I Raise Cash Flow for My Small Business With Government Money?

Written on February 23, 2022. Posted in Early Stage, Small Business, State & Local Tax Services, Tax.

There’s nothing worse than finding out you could’ve qualified for government funding after it’s too late, especially when your business is in its infancy and you could use all the cash you can get your hands on. Most of the founders we advise aren’t aware of the financial help that’s out there, or which programs are available for their business. We introduce two specific opportunities for government funding that are important for startups to know about: national tax credits and...

How Do I Exercise the Stock Options I Was Granted?

Written on February 2, 2022. Posted in Early Stage, Startups.

If you’ve been offered stock options as part of a compensation package at a startup, it may seem like a no-brainer to accept. And that’s usually true — as long as you clearly understand how to turn the initial piece of paper that grants you those options into a tangible investment on which you don’t have to pay income tax rates. It’s common to assume you should hang onto that paper and let it grow for as long as possible. But if you do, you could be in for a rude awakening when...

Potential 15% Increase in NJ Angel Investor Tax Credit Program

Written on March 20, 2018. Posted in Tax.

By Bill Beiermeister, CPA and Ryan Silva, CPA, CFE, CVA In January 2013, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation creating an angel investor tax credit program to spur job creation and growth in New Jersey’s current and next generation of high-skill, high-wage emerging technology industries. Under the current program New Jersey offers a 10% investor tax credit for an individual that invests in a New Jersey emerging technology company up to a maximum of $500,000 for the tax...

3 Reasons Why It’s Important to Understand Your Cap Table

Written on November 1, 2016. Posted in Early Stage.

By Ryan S. Silva Very often some of the most promising early stage growth companies find themselves challenged when asked about their cap table. Simply put, the cap table should list all the securities of the company (i.e., stock options, warrants, convertible debt, SAFE, etc.) and who owns them. This isn’t difficult when it’s just a few people, but as the capital structure becomes more complex from financing transactions, the cap table usually does as well. This is generally because...

How the Permanent QSBS Capital Gains Exclusion Benefits Investors

Written on May 24, 2016. Posted in Tax.

By Kevin Kerrigan The relatively unknown Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) capital gains exclusion was permanently extended in December 2015, giving many investors and entrepreneurs much reason to celebrate. While the QSBS tax break has been around since early 2009, the 2015 permanent extension incentivizes small business investors to look more closely at the QSBS. Here are some of the advantages, conditions and drawbacks of QSBS. Overview of the QSBS The QSBS tax incentive was...

Welcome to Silicon Alley

Written on March 17, 2015. Posted in Technology.

Tech start-ups meet funding in the Big Apple By Ryan S. Silva, CPA, CFE, CVA Start-up technology entrepreneurs and investors need to take a close look at New York City’s Silicon Alley, if they haven’t already. There’s a reason the name is so similar to Silicon Valley on the opposite coast. Both are geographic centers of tech innovation, but in addition to the young brainpower in early-stage technology development, this tech hub is as much about access to the nearby capital markets. It’s...

Maintaining Control

Written on January 20, 2015. Posted in Food & Beverage.

How to retain ownership and control while bringing on investors By Arnold Macalintal Your food or beverage business is going well, but you’re thinking it may need a cash infusion. Taking on investors can ease your financial burden, but at what cost? You’re the one with the dream, the plan and the sweat equity invested in the business, so why should you cede control to outsiders? Here are some tips for getting the cash you need without losing the ability to run your business your...

Tag: investors