Startups
Where the founder has track record in a similar business, or the costs to test the concept are low.
Where the founder had a dream one night, decided to start a business but has only ever worked in the postroom
Hi Tech
Something we can understand in less than a minute and is relevant today.
Anything that requires a degree in nuclear physics to understand, or solves a problem that might occur in the next millennium
Internet
Most things niche
Anything that purports to be the next ebay, Amazon, Facebook etc. Oh and no more social networking ideas for cats, cell-mates or under-5's
Retail
Internet retail
High Street, Back Street or any other kind of street.
Professionals
None of Them
All of Them
Service Industry
Some of them
The others
Engineering
Metal bashing with a purpose, profit and strong customer base.
Metal bashing for no reason except the hope that a big order may eventually come
Distribution
Distribution businesses with a realistic opportunity of being profitable
Funding a van for Big John
Licensing
Something established
Something rather more hopeful
Gambling/Tobacco
None of it
All of it
Pharmaceuticals
Something that works, is proven so – and people want.
Something that might work when it's finished trials in 2023
Health and Social Care companies
All Types
Not many
Restaurants & Catering
We enjoy visiting and eating in them – but that's about it.
Restaurants & Catering
Mining
In the UK
Anything outside the UK that might one day yield a piece of gold, diamond or dinosaur bones.
Nigerians wishing to transfer $100m to us from the will of their beloved parent
Hearing them and being entertained by them
Investing or responding to them
Overseas Companies
Visiting them
Investing in them
Property
Blimey. Too many to put in this box.
All the rest
Recruitment
Something niche
Something small and not.
Transport
Not really. Not sure. Convince us.
Please – no more plans for electric cars that run on cow poo or potato peel.
Green/Bio/Wind
Only massive scale
Eyes glaze over at most of it
Investments funds
No thanks
Investing in funds
If you've exceeded the above criteria, try these:
Ability to Expand
Overnight - the potential is massive. Help required.
You'd get the chocolate hobnobs out if you achieve 4% growth per annum. Wow. A rip-roaring success
Expertise
Where some expertise is lacking – but the will to succeed is there.
Where you know absolutely everything – or indeed nothing.
Turnover size
Somewhere between £500k and £50m
Turnover less than a Premier League footballer gets a month.
