I continue to meet scientists and innovative business owners who need to do more to attract capital funding.  Please note that the operative word here is “attract” .

For instance, I recently had a conversation with a scientist who cynically declared nobody is providing any funding, and nobody is buying.  For this reason things are not going well for his business, and he doesn’t anticipate things getting better for him anytime soon.

I asked him what his thoughts were for sustaining and growing his business in spite of this conclusion.  With an outlook like that, I was curious indeed! What he told me: Another new research-publication and more trade-shows for its distribution.

Let’s think about that for a minute…why would another publication and an increased presence at trade shows save his business and support his vision for success?  Isn’t this pretty similar (not to mention a standard practice in his industry?) to what he’s always done?  What’s different?

New Skills and Strategies Are NOT Optional In Our Market

I’m not going to repeat at length what’s been in the media about the state of investing and the survival of many start-up and emerging technology-focused companies.  Funding is like oxygen, and although there is optimism that things are “looking up”, it’s been getting harder and harder to breathe!

Let’s consider mindsets and behaviors.  Scientists are accustomed to receiving grants and other equity resources to grow their research and businesses to the next stages of advancement and development.  And for the most part, they are continuing to do what they know – writing grants, preparing business plans and presenting to investors – and getting not-so-much good fortune in return!

Cynicism, panic, frustration, worry, fear, clamor, doubt, and “pushing in line” are a natural reaction.  The extent of competition for funding is a change from the usual. A new approach is required.  New skills and strategies are a must do if you want to be the one to receive the “well-guarded” funds.

Survival of the fittest?  Sure…but I prefer to think of it as survival of the fit-minded: open, strategic, conceptual, calm, EFFECTIVE.

You see, a majority of your competition will NOT take this advice (change is often deemed difficult).  But this is good news for you, if you do choose to change how you market your technology.  You will win.  You will grow a prosperous enterprise!

So how can scientists and emerging innovators stand out and ATTRACT capital funding?  How can they rise above the clamor and frustration and advance their innovations into the market?

To answer these questions, I will continue with the second part of this article in my next post: The Wrong Way And The Right Way To Attract Capital Funding

Stay tuned…!

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