Training and Consulting Programme for Cypriot Start-ups

On behalf of the Cyprus Institute for the Promotion of Research (IPE), Navigator Consulting implemented a 2-day training and consulting programme for innovative start-ups in Cyprus. 

 

The first day comprised classroom training for a group of 25 Cyprus start-ups and founder teams. The session was entitled: 

 

Financing and Growth Strategies for Cyprus Start-ups

 

1. Financing Options and Methods for Start-ups and Scale-ups

 

• Understanding the growth cycle: pre-launch; pre-revenue; growth

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• Review of different investor types: FFF; angels; VC; PE; banks; EU funding; IPOs

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• Investment criteria and expectations by investor type

 

2. Business Modelling and Financial Planning

 

• Developing a dynamic financial and operating model

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• Assumptions; Workings; Profit/Loss; Capital Expenditure; Valuation Models

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• Sales and revenue modelling; sales funnel optimization; non-revenue growth

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• Expenditure modelling

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• Capital expenditure and use of funds by Cyprus start-ups

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• Profit/loss model

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• Key financial indicators, including NPV, IRR, start-up valuation

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• Key operating indicators, including cash burn rate, runway, customer acquisition costs, active users, churn, etc. 

 

3. Pitching and Term Sheets 

 

• Know what to ask for: Use of funds; Fund release and disbursement mechanisms

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• Preparing for and implementing Cyprus investor due diligence
   

• Structuring a term sheet: common investors requests and terms

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• Pre- and post-money valuation
   

• Dealing with equity dilution in the first and subsequent funding rounds
   

• Structuring a board of directors and start-up governance post-investment

 

Lunch Break 

 

4. Achieving Product Market Fit

 

• Development and launch cycles

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• Customer feedback: UX / UI / CEM
   

• Service delivery and fulfillment issues
   

• Achieving customer share, customer engagement, segment/market share
   

• Pricing models and methods

 

5. Scaling up and Growth

 

• Selling methods and contracting, focusing on B2B and B2C
   

• Growth hacking and online growth methods
   

• Users and user management
   

• Revenue and conversion models 
   

• Marketing, Selling & Public Relations
   

• Scaling up: Engineering, Orga, Customer Service, Contracting, Staffing

 

 

Day 2: Cyprus Start-up Mentoring

 

One day of mentoring 8 Cyprus start-ups was provided. This was based on 1-hour sessions during which Philip Ammerman met with 8 founder teams to discuss their current operations, status and objectives. 

 

The start-ups spanned a range of companies and included: 

 

• Advertising solution for the onboard aviation sector
   

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions
   

• Electromagnetic modelling for power field distortion, corrosion and electricity distribution loss for building, photovoltaic and other applications
   

• Robotic titration system for life science laboratory experimentation
   

• Evaluation management software
   

• Automated and AI-calibrated electrocardiogram reading and analysis
   

• Integrated sensoring equipment for bee population and honey production
   

• Innovative short-haul delivery systems for urban centres. 

 

A brief advisory outline was issued to each Cyprus start-up. 

 

Navigator Consulting is committed to supporting innovation and start-ups in Europe and world-wide. For further information, please contact us.