Funding and Building your Business

The Internet has ushered in new ways to conduct business from rural areas that did not exist ten years ago. Your markets can now expand beyond a 50-100 mile radius and be regional, national, and even international.

Is it 2001 all over again? Or will the Web fare better this time around?

Main take-away: Hurry Up.

As a rule, Web start-ups simply do not thrive when snapped up by the (depressingly few) prospective acquirers like Google, Yahoo and AOL – leading to an unsustainalble cycle.

Raising money for a new business is always front and center in the minds of startup entrepreneurs. The matter is not just about where to find funding but also how funds are invested in the company.

“What I like about these conferences is that I find small, growing companies before everybody else does.”

Motivating a team can be the most challenging aspect of running a business.

"As an entrepreneur," Cheng says, "your biggest worry is running out of money before you get your idea to the market. So saving a dollar buys you time."

Referrals work because they are credible.

To help you revolutionize your e-business strategy, the Commercial Service is bringing together three global e-business icons—Google, FedEx, and Baker & McKenzie—to share best practices in our Web Revolution half-day seminars.