This document discusses key elements for a successful startup. It notes that risk and return are highly correlated, and increasing return requires taking on more risk. While most startups fail, solving problems for customers with an innovative product, identifying the right market, developing an effective marketing strategy, gaining a sustainable competitive advantage, having a strong business model and financial plan, and assembling a strong team are important for success. The document also provides contact information for Douglas Abrams of Expara Pte. Ltd. to discuss these issues further.

1. July 2016
From Idea to Investment
Key elements of a successful start-up
Douglas Abrams

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Douglas Abrams
About the facilitators – Douglas
• Wharton MBA
• JP Morgan – Vice President - IB Technology, Global
Markets Internet Marketing
• Parallax Capital Management – Co-founder and
MD - Venture Capital
• Extream Ventures – Co-founder and MD - S$20
million VC fund
• Expara – Founder and MD - IDM Ventures
Incubator, fund, advisory, training
• NUS – Adjunct Associate Professor, Business
School, Entrepreneurship
• Sasin – Visiting Professor, Venture Capital

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Douglas Abrams
What is the relationship between risk and return?
• Risk and return are highly correlated
• You cannot increase return without taking more risk
Return
Risk
Potential outcomes

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Douglas Abrams
What percentage of start-ups fail?
GVMs for all first-round investments. 10 years after investment. Data from Sand Hill Road Econometrics. Companies received first financing
before 1 January 1999. First non-seed round investment. Returns are gross - before fees and carry

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Douglas Abrams
Key elements for success
• Solve a problem for customers – Value proposition
• Develop an innovative product – Innovation
• Identify your customers – Market identification and analysis
• Reach your customers – Marketing strategy
• Compete when others enter - Sustainable competitive advantage
• Make money – Business model and financial plan
• Team – A team or B team

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Douglas Abrams
Contact us
• Douglas Abrams
• Expara Pte. Ltd.
• dka@expara.com
• www.expara.com
• Block 71 Ayer Rajah Crescent,
#02-10/11
• Singapore 139951
• 65-6323 3084, 65-9780-5381 (hp)