Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

AgendaAgenda

ihavemoved summaryihavemoved summary From an idea to a startupFrom an idea to a startup Securing investorsSecuring investors International expansionInternational expansion Selling the companySelling the company Key takeawaysKey takeaways

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

July 2000July 2000

London Business School MBAs London Business School MBAs explore extensions of IHMexplore extensions of IHM

Carmen - ihavelostmywallet Carmen - ihavelostmywallet

Gary - Business 2 BusinessGary - Business 2 Business

Scott - ihavemoved in USAScott - ihavemoved in USA

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

August 2000August 2000

Dirk, Jens, Till incorporate German Dirk, Jens, Till incorporate German Co. Co.

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de demolition event demolition event

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de demolition event demolition event

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de demolition event demolition event

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de demolition event demolition event

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de demolition event demolition event

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

August 2001August 2001

RWE AG, Germany’s 5th largest RWE AG, Germany’s 5th largest corporation invests corporation invests €€3.4million 3.4million

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

Expansion Expansion PlanPlan

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

AgendaAgenda

ihavemoved summaryihavemoved summary From an idea to a startupFrom an idea to a startup Securing investorsSecuring investors International expansionInternational expansion Selling the companySelling the company Key takeawaysKey takeaways

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

January 2003January 2003

Deutsche Post AG, the former Deutsche Post AG, the former competitor in Germany, competitor in Germany, buys buys ich-zieh-um.deich-zieh-um.de

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

October 2003October 2003

IHM has 850 partnersIHM has 850 partners Royal Mail PLC, the former Royal Mail PLC, the former

competitor in the UK, competitor in the UK, buys IHMbuys IHM This transaction, like the This transaction, like the ich-zieh-ich-zieh-

um um purchase, strategically benefits purchase, strategically benefits both organisationsboth organisations

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

UK = 7m moversUK = 7m movers 850 partners 850 partners

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

AgendaAgenda

ihavemoved summaryihavemoved summary From an idea to a startupFrom an idea to a startup Securing investorsSecuring investors International expansionInternational expansion Selling the companySelling the company Key takeawaysKey takeaways

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

It's not just about the idea…It's not just about the idea… It's about executionIt's about execution Don’t be paranoid, ask people to assist you and Don’t be paranoid, ask people to assist you and

give you feedbackgive you feedback Develop an Elevator PitchDevelop an Elevator Pitch

Explain your ideas in 30” or lessExplain your ideas in 30” or less Your grandmother must be able to understand itYour grandmother must be able to understand it

Business Plans Change!Business Plans Change! 5-year plans are unrealistic5-year plans are unrealistic

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways Create the right teamCreate the right team

Business experience invaluableBusiness experience invaluable Complementary skillsComplementary skills Shared VisionShared Vision Venture Capitalists invest in people firstVenture Capitalists invest in people first

Be flexible with your ideaBe flexible with your idea Listen to ‘smart’ feedback and carefully Listen to ‘smart’ feedback and carefully

improve your business planimprove your business plan Find multiple revenue sources Find multiple revenue sources

Believe in your ideaBelieve in your idea

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

Cash is King!Cash is King! Raise 50% more than what you (think you) needRaise 50% more than what you (think you) need

Venture Capitalist SelectionVenture Capitalist Selection Always go with the best VC, not necessarily the Always go with the best VC, not necessarily the

one that gives you a ‘better deal’one that gives you a ‘better deal’ Get investors’ commitment to assist in specific Get investors’ commitment to assist in specific

taskstasks Dilution is goodDilution is good

Owning 0.01% of Microsoft vs. 100% of Foufitos Owning 0.01% of Microsoft vs. 100% of Foufitos LtdLtd

Onic V. Palandjian - onic@capitalconnect.gr - University of Athens Entrepreneurship Conference

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

Being an entrepreneur isBeing an entrepreneur is quite stressful and requires a strong quite stressful and requires a strong

stomachstomach the way to become not just a boss, but alsothe way to become not just a boss, but also

- an experienced manager- an experienced manager

- a solid communicator- a solid communicator educationaleducational extremely fulfilling, and extremely fulfilling, and gives you the way to make a differencegives you the way to make a difference