FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ANSWERS
1. How does one send a business plan to Atila Ventures?
    Please send business plans to:
    Atila Venture Partners Ltd.
    Swiss Branch
    Rue Mercerie 12
    CH - 1003 Lausanne
    Switzerland
    Or Email to: bezinge@atilaventures.com
    We will contact you after reviewing the documents.
2. What should a business plan cover?
    We like a business plan to cover at least the following points:
    I. market description
    II. product descriptions (incl. development schedule and uniqueness)
    III. competition overview (incl. competitive advantages)
    IV. technology description
    V. sales, distribution and pricing strategy
    VI. organisation overview (incl. headcount by area)
    VII. summary background of management team
    VIII. 5 year summary financial projections (only 'broad-brush', but more detail in initial 12-18 months)
    IX. proposed deal structure (incl. valuation asked, use of proceeds, details of previous financing rounds).
3. In what segments do Atila Ventures' funds invest?
    Atila Ventures' funds invest in microelectronics, IT, e-business and telecommunications.
4. In what stages of company development do Atila Ventures' funds invest?
    In principle, the investments are in all stages of Private Equity from seed to pre-IPO. However, most investments are start-up (second round) and expansion capital. In special situations we may consider leverage buy-out deals.
5. In what countries do Atila Ventures' funds invest?
    Investments are made world-wide with a particular focus on French and German-speaking Europe.
6. What sort of target companies do Atila Ventures' funds invest in?
    Our favourite investments are in companies that (a) have proprietary technology that present clear entry-barriers, (b) are active in a high-growth market and (c) are headed by a strong management team that wants to implement the plan fast and become profitable quickly. In some circumstances, lack of proprietary technology can be compensated for by other clear entry-barriers combined with a first mover advantage.
7. What is the typical size of investment for Atila Ventures' funds?
    The funds typically invest between EUR 2 million and EUR 10 million.
8. What equity share is usually acquired by Atila Ventures' funds?
    The funds typically acquire minority stakes in companies. Founders and management typically own the largest share of the company.
9. How do Atila Ventures' funds make an investment decision?
    Before deciding on an investment Atila Ventures performs research and due diligence on the company, detailed valuation analysis and management reference checks. The research primarily focuses on “MCT” – market, competition & technology, whereas the valuation combines Atila's Operating Scoring Matrix with traditional financial methods. Investment decisions typically take between 3 and 4 weeks.
10. What is the role of Atila Ventures after an investment is made?
    This depends on the company – its development stage, management team and challenges faced. Atila Ventures provides support if it is asked for. The role varies from intensive involvement on key hiring decisions, major strategic issues and financing to a more detached role if everything is running well and no support is required.
11. What is the role of Atila Ventures' investment committee?
    The members of Atila Ventures' investment committee refer interesting deal opportunities, support the research and due diligence process on target companies through their knowledge and network and provide support to portfolio companies in many areas after investment.
12. Does Atila Ventures get involved in the management of a portfolio company?
    Atila Ventures can provide support for management in a broad range of areas if it is needed and asked for, but does not get involved in the management. Running and growing the company and achieving the business plan is the task of the management.
13. Do Atila Ventures' funds always require a board seat?
    In most cases yes, but this depends on the development stage of the company and existing board structure.
14. How long does it take to complete an investment with Atila Ventures' funds?
    Investment decisions typically take between 3 and 4 weeks. The time required for legal completion depends on the country.
15. What funds does Atila Ventures advise and who are the ultimate investors?
    Atila Ventures advises the ETV (European Technology Ventures) fund and in the past has advised the corporate VC fund of SBS (Siemens Business Services). The majority of ETV's institutional investors are banks, insurance companies and family foundations. The ETV fund understands the long-term nature of the venture capital business.
16. How long do Atila Ventures' funds hold an investment for ?
    Companies that Atila Ventures' funds invest in are typically planning an IPO or Trade Sale within a 1 - 6 year period. This is the period when the financial and other support from Atila Ventures is most needed.
17. What sort of people work at Atila Ventures' ?
    Atila Ventures fosters a very open, communicative, friendly and entrepreneurial culture. At the same time, we are highly driven by performance and quality. Our team consists of people from many different nationalities. The individual backgrounds have a strong emphasis on operational management experience and technology/engineering combined with the more common finance/MBA/consulting mix. We firmly believe that having operational experience benefits the ability to advise portfolio companies.