As a small start up that is going to launch in the coming months, run by university students, and low on cash. What do you recommend is the best way to look for funding, and getting out to the general public?

I prefer to raise money from my customers. What I mean by that is .. sell them the vision and ask for money. Customer financing does 2 things. 1) It helps you learn faster. 2) It doesn’t require giving up any equity or completing business plans or pro forma statements.

If you’re set on raising capital … do some research on Angel.co and best practices. There’s been quite a bit written and it’s definitely the right way to go.

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I am trying to get a business idea going, have talked to customers and partners, and am able to get into the space I need to do a proper market test. I do have a job but I...

Answered by Raymond Luk – Partner, Year One Labs

Never accept money from friends/family unless you can look them in the eye and tell them they're most likely going to lose that money forever. I've done it (both the lookin... (more)

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Answered by Andrew Patricio – Founder, BizLaunch

It's always tough to work out what inventory you require in start up. Have you thought of finding a supplier that can drop ship directly for you? (more)

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Answered by Ryan Kelly – Founder, Pear Analytics

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Your advice to a second year University student in Victoria BC for getting his foot in the door for startups / VC ?

Answered by Michael Garrity – Founder, CommunityLend

Skip the VC's (there aren't really any and they don't need more people, they need more capital). Find a local start up that is doing something that jazzes you and go and h... (more)

What do you recommend a student coming out of college to do?- Pursue an idea and bootstrap till successful OR work for a startup and learn the 'tricks of the trade' first.

Answered by Dan Martell – Founder & Investor.

Join a small (4-6) person seed funded company and tell the CEO that you want to work with / for him and go to all the meetings. You might not be able to charge much but do... (more)

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