Sweet and Sour of Investing: Do's and don'ts of making the deal

Wow! You've got an amazing idea for the game-changing new product of the century. But no money to bring it to market. What to do? Start by begging for seed money from your FFF circle (family, friends and fools). If that fails, cast your hopes heavenward for an angel investor with start-up capital. Or, if you're dreaming big, find a venture capitalist with millions to invest in your potentially high-growth idea. Sound simple? Not so much. Your road ahead is paved with decision trees and gotcha traps. "Picking the right investor is one of the most crucial decisions for an entrepreneur. If you thought getting married is a commitment, try raising money," cautions SAP Ventures' Gaurav Tewari. Sand Hill's MR Rangaswami, a long-time angel, offers an election year analogy. "CEOs of startups and politicians have one thing in common – they are perennially raising money!" Pour a cup and join us for food for thought on the Sweet and Sour of Investing: Do's and don'ts of making the deal.