META Group Our mission

1. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme.

4. META Group Our mission Knowledge Market to Shaping Policies Entrepreneurial Regions  Investing in start-ups

6. PART II – OUR FUNDS META Group Poland Ingenium Fund Ingenium Poland is a public-private fund in Poland investing in seed, start up and expansion stage companies based in Poland. It has been launched in 2013. • It can finance start up and expansion stage companies based in Poland; • 20 million EURO under management; • Resources are 50% public – 50% private; • focus on innovative companies coming mostly from the ICT, Healthcare, Energy and Cleantech Sector. 6

7. PART II – OUR FUNDS META Group Poland Xplorer Fund Xplorer Fundis the first proof of concept type of fundbased in Poland. It has been launched in 2014. The fund will be operational in 4Q of 2014. • It can finance technology driven projects or start ups • 5 million EURO under management; • Resources are 80% public – 20% private; • focus mostly on high tech project from ICT, Life Science, Cleantech, and Energy Sector. 7

8. Policy Dialogue on the topic of participation to the European Research Area performed on March 31st and on November 5th

9. META Group Poland • Key players: • Policy making (representatives of the following Ministries of: Science and Higher Education, Infrastructure and Development, • Implementation (National Centre for Research and Development, Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Information Processing Institute, National Contact Point, Warsaw University of Technology Business School, Kozminski University, Marshal Office of Malopolska Region, • Operational/support actors (Avation Valley, AMU Fundation – Poznan Science and Technology Park Adam Mickiewicz University Foundation, Polish Business and Innovation Centres Association)

11. From the business to access to finance Challenges • A common request for support in access to finance expressed by entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs; • A low level of awareness on early stage financing; • The need to improve business planning in terms of: • Business modeling • Strategic planning • Internationalization strategies • Marketing • Financial forecasts • The need to understand the importance of identifying the international opportunities; • A lack of capacity to present efficient business propositions to investors.

12. From the business to access to finance To be investor ready “ Ideas alone are not scalable. Only when an idea is put into words that people can clearly understand can an idea inspire action ” Simon Sinek

13. From the business to access to finance To be investor ready • Investor Readiness Programme is born to support entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs in getting the capital needed to enter the market and thus to succeed • The format aims at • Raise the level of awareness of early stage financing among nascent entrepreneurs • Increase the capacities of presenting effectively the business proposition to investors • Boost the access to finance

14. Who it helps Making the difference • This truly valuable and highly tested international programme is the result of a longstanding experience on seed and angel investing and the expertise gained working for the last 20 years to help • Intermediaries organizations (such as RDAs, incubators, financial and regional development agencies, technology parks, etc) • Entrepreneurs • Would be entrepreneurs

15. To be investor ready The benefits for participants • The most suitable programme to be investor ready to • Guide entrepreneurs in identifying the weaknesses of their business ideas and working on their improvements • Support them in fine-tuning theirs business plan adding all the relevant information requested by investors • Introduce to them all the available sources of start up financing including equity and supporting them in choosing the most suitable • Support entrepreneurs in effectively match making with potential investors

16. Modular scheduling Customized for regions and entrepreneurs This programme is organized around 3 main blocks

17. Modular scheduling Self assessment-tool AyR – Are you Ready? is a self-assessment tool that is used during the Preparatory phase (preparatory block) This tool, combined with the one-to-one coaching will help the trainer to define the related training work plan tailored on the specific investment readiness level of the entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs

18. Investor Readiness Programme Training materials and manuals

19. Investor Readiness Programme Training materials and manuals

20. Investor Readiness Programme Distribution and Delivery of the Programme

21. Investor Readiness Programme Simulation of a pitch • To clearly and convincing present your business proposition in a few minutes • Why are you pitching? (what is your objective?) • Who is the audience? • Who are they? • Why are they here? • What are they looking for? • What are their screening criteria? • What are you looking for? (how much? – to do what?)

22. Investor Readiness Programme Simulation of a pitch The first 30 seconds are crucial, you have to make an impact by presenting: • What problem you are going to solve • Your value proposition (how does your venture solve such problem?) • Why you are the right person to achieve the result • Why your company is a good deal for invertors

23. 1. Avoid slow start (first 30 seconds are crucial)2. Say only key things3. Do not speak too fast4. Use short clear sentences5. Use pauses6. Talk to the audience7. Respect time8. Exercise!!! Investor Readiness Programme Simulation of a pitch TRICKS & TIPS for pitching:

24. Investor Readiness Programme Simulation of a pitch Example of Pitch Part1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcQtXA5Gc8 Part2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhKxPn_g_40