1to1 Ventures

What is your usual investment?
Our typical initial investment is from $500,000 to $2 million, with the average being $1 million. We would intend to increase that investment if the growth of the company warranted. We have an extensive network of venture capital companies that are willing to co-invest with us on projects that require larger investments.

What if we do not need $500,000 but only need $50,000?
Investments of this size usually come from angels or friends and family of the Entrepreneur. Local banks are also a source of small loans. See the July 1999 issue of Entrepreneur for an article listing the friendliest microlenders in all 50 states.

Do you require control of the company to make an investment?
We do not take control of the companies we invest in. We typically are on the board of directors and take an active role in the helping the company.

What is a Small Business Investment Company?
A SBIC is a company licensed by the US Small Business Administration. It is a privately owned and managed company who invests in companies that have growth potential and need capital.

Are there any restrictions on your investments?
The targeted company should have less than $18 million in net worth and can not have more than an average of $6 million if net income after tax during the prior two years. No associate of 1to1â Ventures may be an officer, director, or shareholder of the target company prior to our investment. We cannot invest in banks and other lenders, passive businesses, most real estate transactions and any transactions involving a conflict of interest.

Do you invest in start-ups?
As a general principle we invest in companies that have a proven revenue model.

What sort of companies will you not invest in?
We would not invest in real estate deals, oil or gas deals, financial re-investors, environmental deals, biotechnological companies or pharmaceutical companies.

How are you related to Peppers and Rogers Group / Marketing 1to1?
Marketing 1to1 Ventures, LP evolved from the Relationship Factory, a subsidiary of Peppers and Rogers Group. Marketing 1to1 Ventures, LP is now a separate, independent entity. Bob Dorf, now a General Partner of the fund, was a co-founder and the President of Peppers and Rogers Group.

Do you sign non-disclosures?
We do not sign non-disclosures for the initial review materials of a company. When we begin any in depth discussion of your plans we will be more than willing to sign non-disclosures. If you feel uncomfortable in sending us the initial material without a non-disclosure, feel free to take out the highly confidential elements. We would be happy to explain our thoughts further. If you have any questions call us at 203 325 4000.

1to1â is a trademark of the Peppers and
Rogers Group used under license.