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the word 'partner' because, generally partners don't work so well in the entrepreneurial environment, not that they can't, there have been some great partner' teams who have started businesses but let's just say that partners usually always reach a cross roads and most times the direction of choice are not agreed upon by the two or three partners. A dispute between partners often results in personnel actions that split and fracture the organization and sometimes bring a business to dissolution and abandonment. So it's all about your vision, ideas and technology and the team of people you are able to bring to your company. One of the most important persons, next to you is your Chief Financial Officer. Also an equally important person is your corporate lawyer and finally but not last is your Chief Science Officer (if you are a technology driven entrepreneur).

Finance, legal and science are all about equal in stature and are vital to most startup companies and they are all vitally important to your entrepreneurial success and your company's survival. Later comes marketing and sales and the rest of the team that includes engineers, designers and corporate and market communicators. If you are a technology driven company, it is a good idea to bring key engineers, marketers and sales on earlier, or as soon as possible. Your CFO will help you with the financing strategies and tactics that can include a whole spectrum of financing options, including Venture Capital or VC's'.

Breaking into the Venture Capital market for a first timer is pretty hard and many entrepreneurs find that VC's are just not their cup of tea. There are some rules about VC's you should understand. First, they are not your 'friends' or 'partners'. They are high risk bankers and just like when you don't make your mortgage payment, they will foreclose on your company as your bank would foreclose on your house. When you do a deal with a VC firm they control your company, your board, your technology, your management and your market image and your equity. Second, it's all about them and not about you and your employees or believe it or not, your technology. When times are tough, most VC's will slice your throat, your employees and everyone else to protect their investment. There are exceptions but they are hard to find. Third, VC's cash out, usually too early, so that when you do go public, they are the first out the door and when you need more capital, VC's generally don't invest more capital in public

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