TheFunded Connect: Recommendations to Get You Funding

Jun 16 at 6:06am by

Even though the economy is fluctuating, to put it nicely, there’s still a good amount of funding going on in the Internet-based business industry. But there are still a lot of entrepreneurs that are seeking out ways in which to get some funding in their own pockets. This rings particularly true for those outside of the Valley or other highly connected and interested tech communities.

Enter TheFunded Connect. It wants to help you find funding faster, by tapping into the “collective knowledge and contacts” of thousands of CEOs around the world, in order to help a company raise capital. From helping to make connections to minimizing the time spent seeking investment, TheFunded is offering a free service targeted towards startups. TheFunded’s new Connect system is based on pitches, user feedback and recommendations, all of which are set up to lead to an actual introduction that can get your foot in the right door.

TheFunded Connect from Adeo Ressi on Vimeo.

It’s a tricky problem to tackle, especially with a web-based service. But it’s a natural extension for TheFunded, which has become a handy resource for things that go on in the investment world. From the reporting standpoint, I’ve found that interest in the funding aspects of particular startups has become a growing point of interest for readers on Mashable and other sites, especially as the Internet industry continues to mimic the Bubble days of yore.

Is it more effective than LinkedIn, or similar niche sites like Vator.tv? According to a VentureBeat contact, the answer is no. However, TheFunded is reporting that the four intros sent out last Tuesday were all met with responses from the respective firms. See below for some answers to other common questions.

Could further integration with more of these existing professional networks help out on this end? Whatever the case is, some people may go ahead and join the Connect network simply because of TheFunded’s present indulgence in the particular niche, where those that would be interested in such a feature are likely to already frequent the site.

Common Questions Addressed by TheFunded

Q: What makes the service unique?
A: First, the TheFunded Connect service is and always will be completely free of charge for all parties involved. Second, the service leverages funded CEOs as the gatekeeper to financing introductions. Third, the service does not require busy investors, who are normally overwhelmed with investment opportunities, to log-in or to seek out deals. Deals come to investors through traditional channels.

Q: How are fundraising companies selected to be in the service?
A: Any Member can post a ‘draft pitch’ for other Members of TheFunded.com to review. After a draft pitch receives comments and support from the Membership, it will convert to a ‘live pitch,’ at which point Members will be able to make fundraising introductions.

Q: How do you maintain confidentiality or theft of ideas?
A: TheFunded Connect asks each fundraising company to answer a carefully selected set of questions that does not require a company to reveal any confidential information. In addition, the form to add and edit a pitch explicitly requests that the fundraising company avoid inserting any information that they do not want to reveal publicly. Stealth start-ups are not likely to add their information to TheFunded Connect, for obvious reasons.

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