Application Process and Fees

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1. Currently Accepting Applications

Our process begins with an online application.  In order to be evaluated for inclusion in our deal database or considered for a venture fair presentation, you must complete this application.  We recommend that you review our deal criteria before completing an application.

The application will capture what we consider to be the most important elements of your company. We request that you answer these targeted questions about your business clearly and concisely. In addition, we ask that you also submit a one-page executive summary of your business plan.  Note that your application will be good for one year from the date it is submitted, and considered for any of the various events we produce in that time period.

2. Investors' Circle Staff Review

IC will review your application within four weeks of its submission to determine whether your company is a good fit for the Investors' Circle network.  Applications that meet our criteria will be posted to our deal database, accessible to our member investors.  New applicants will also be highlighted in our monthly member e-newsletter.  Several companies in the past have received funding from this exposure alone.

3. Application Fee

Investors' Circle currently charges a $150 application fee.  (Note that this fee will increase to $200 two weeks in advance of our Application Deadline, currently slated for Friday, August 3, 2012.)  For those that are not selected to present, we will do everything we can to facilitate introductions to one of the many partners (e.g. incubators, accelerators, socially responsible banks, business plan consultants, venture capitalists, etc.) within our network that might be better suited to offer you the support you need.  We believe that these connections -- along with the year-long exposure you'll receive amongst our network, and the feedback we deliver to every company that requests it -- will help you achieve value in exchange for the application fee.

4. Re-applying

You are welcome to reapply for consideration from Investors' Circle.  Again, your application will be good for one full year from the date on which it was submitted.  If you submitted your application over one year ago and would still like to be included, you'll be asked to re-pay the relevant application fee.  To reapply, you may either update your application on www.gust.com and send an email notification to jdesrosiers@investorscircle.net or withdraw and delete your old application and create a new one.

5. Selection Committee Process

Each season we coordinate approximately six groups of our member investors to review applications in each primary interest track (Cleantech, Sustainable Consumer Products, Health, Biotech & Wellness, Education, Digital Media & Software, and Community & Economic Development) as well as new interest tracks.  Over the course of a month, selection committees review the best applications that have been accepted into the network over the previous six months, as determined by IC staff.  Some companies may be asked to provide additional information, such as a full business plan, to assist in the committee’s due diligence.  The results of this selection process will be announced to entrepreneurs roughly four weeks prior to the venture fair.

6. Venture Fair Fee & Preparation

If you are chosen to present at an in-person conference, we will ask you to pay a registration fee to cover some of the costs of producing the event.  Investors' Circle will work with presenting companies during the month proceeding the venture fair to prepare a Powerpoint presentation and other materials needed for the event.  Each Powerpoint will be critiqued by a selection committee during one scheduled conference call.

7. GIIRS Impact Rating System

GIIRS (Global Impact Investing Rating System) is the official impact ratings partner of Investors Circle. GIIRS, an initiative of B Lab, provides the impact standards and rating system to facilitate a scaled-up marketplace for institutional investors, financial services intermediaries, and companies seeking mission-aligned growth capital and liquidity. All companies that are being considered by the Investors’ Circle selection committee are required to complete a GIIRS Assessment and have the opportunity to get a free GIIRS rating. All Venture Fair presenters are required to get GIIRS Rated, and will receive training on the GIIRS Assessment and a personal consult with GIIRS staff to review their results.  All companies that present with Investors' Circle will be required to share their rating results with the Investors' Circle members and other accredited investors at the Venture Fair.