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Inder Soni offers a reality check

So you thought venture capital firms focus only on achieving good investment returns?

Inder Soni, vice-president of Zero Stage Capital, argues against this conventional piece of wisdom.

In reality, the best way to achieve good returns is by partnering with entrepreneurs to build exceptional companies, he says.

"Successful entrepreneurs are driven by a vision to build a great company," says Soni.

"It's our role to help them obtain the necessary financing -- and complementary company building skills -- to achieve their vision."

About a year ago Soni joined the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based venture capital firm. Zero Stage invests in information technology, software, communication and healthcare companies. Portfolio companies include: 24/7 Media, Silknet, MotherNature.com, RoweCom, and BE Operating Systems.

Soni would highlight the effective ways to draw attention and present oneself to VC firms. The philosophy at Zero Stage is that some entrepreneurs achieve success naturally but "most of us have to learn".

Many successful entrepreneurs didn't know they had it in them. Other people thought they could build a business, he feels.

Soni is one of the panelists in the February 22 event on Evaluation of a Business Plan at the Yale Club, New York. Organized by The Indus Entrepreneurs, the event also offers insights from Thom Waye and Inder Tallur, both associated with Commonwealth Associates.

Waye is vice-president of business development at Commonwealth Associates, a merchant and investment bank that has managed over $ 500 million in transaction over the past few years. He recruits prospective portfolio companies and then helps these companies grow by leveraging the firm's strategic relationships and senior corporate contacts.

Tallur is director of research at Commonwealth and follows the Internet and e-commerce sector. Prior to Commonwealth, he spent five years at Digital and HCL-HP, a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard.

The venture capitalists will focus on what VCs look for in a business plan, how they evaluate it, and what steps they go through before meeting with the entrepreneur. The details of the event:

The event will be held from 1830 to 2130 at the Yale Club, 44th and Vanderbilt (across from Grand Central Station), New York. The charges are $ 25 for members and $ 35 for non-members who register online. For more information, contact www.TIE.org

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