Sanjay Prateek: New technologies mean new business opportunities, but the cutting edge know-how of T-N Tech comes with a hefty price tag. Today I will discuss with my three special guests how Venture Capital and Private Equity helped in bringing the trans-newtonian revolution to their enterprises. My name is Sanjay Prateek and this is Market Raider, your guide to the plunder of the world's markets.
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Sanjay Prateek: First up we have a man who has just taken his first steps into the business world. For years he has been a Coolant Technician at the Prosperia Funsicles ice cream factory. However now he is leading his own business which will help DSV colonize space. My guest is Moshe Zilbershlag, founder of Chilltech.
Moshe Zilbershlag: Greetings.
Sanjay Prateek: So Moshe, how did VC help your business?
Moshe Zilbershlag: Well as I worked at the Funsicles factory I became fascinated with freezing live things to send them into suspended animation. I built early prototypes of cryogenic tanks in my garage, however I soon found that the equipment I could get cheaply online wasn't enough. Also the neighbourghood ran out of rats, pigeons, stray cats, stray dogs and other animals I could try to freeze and thaw out. So I had to go with human testing and after a while I hit a wall where what I could offer to prospective testers was not enough to make them interested. But I needed to improve my technology.
Sanjay Prateek: How did you tackle that problem?
Moshe Zilbershlag: I contacted the VC fund ran by Omni-Goliath, after a thorough due diligence they agreed to fund my business, in return for partial ownership. With their resources I could license cryogenic technology from the Celestial Empire and build safer prototypes. Also they helped me find and bring in new test subjects from abroad.
Sanjay Prateek: So where is Chilltech heading to now thanks to Venture Capital?
Moshe Zilbershlag: We're working with Deep Space Ventures on the "Opportunity" project, its aim is to develop a true colony ship capable of transporting individuals in suspended animation across the void of space greatly reducing their use and thus need for water or food.
Sanjay Prateek: Sounds fascinating, thank you for coming Moshe. I wish you good luck in your on the "Opportunity" project.
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Sanjay Prateek: My next guest is the perfect example that its not over even if you think it is over. I would like to introduce you to Daniel Greenspan, CEO of Luxocruiser.
Daniel Greenspan: Good evening.
Sanjay Prateek: Mr. Greenspan would you mind telling me and the viewers what was Luxocruiser's problem?
Daniel Greenspan: After incorporating our shipyard in 2012 we found ourselves ourmatched by the competition, indeed the Yacht Industry is quite competitive with half a dozen different yacht shipyards in Prosperia alone. We were the very bottom of the barrel, our brand recognition was low and mostly negative, orders were few and cash flow was pathetic. We nearly went bust and I was about to give up.
Sanjay Prateek: So what happened next?
Daniel Greenspan: We were approached by "triple I", the private equity fund specializing in re-energizing nearly dead businesses. They pumped capital into Luxocruiser Shipyard, they let us hire T-N engineers and promising students from Prosperia Academy. Soon afterwards we finished the first Duranium hull Yacht powered by Sorium in Omniventures which was mostly a concept model. But it made a killing on the Yacht Expos, we ended up with enough orders until the end of the next decade. Naturally we started expanding our production capability. Who knows, if things continue we may even start building space yachts! [he laughs]
Sanjay Prateek: Indeed you may. But now for our last guest today. He and his ancestors have ran a freight enterprise for over a century, starting from horse carriages and steam trains. Then they saw the short-lived Eisenturm Reich nationalize their business. But they did not give up, they started a new one. Now he sold his old family business to open a new one, but he had help. Please welcome Robert Kotick, founder of ActiPopamole Space Transit Solutions.
Bobby Kotick: Please, call me Bobby.
Sanjay Prateek: So Bobby, your business is going to space now? How is that possible?
Bobby Kotick: Business Angels Prateek, Business Angels, my benefactors have greatly aided me in preparing for the Space Economy as Mr. Morden calls it.
Sanjay Prateek: Who are they?
Bobby Kotick: They want to remain anonymous, I respect their will as they did allow me to become a pioneer.
Sanjay Prateek: Fair enough, what did they do then?
Bobby Kotick: They provided me with the funds needed to order a small fleet of "Clipper" freight ships the DSV has offered to construct for private contractors at the Entrepreneurship Shipyard. ActiPopamole seeks to be the at the forefront of the Space Economy bringing space into the mainstream by making it accessible to everyone.
Sanjay Prateek: But some say space is indeed hard and hostile.
Bobby Kotick: It is only fitting that with DSV's help we will streamline the process of space travel. Current and future investments like the Prosperia Space Port will indeed scale its level to that which the average business and consumer can achieve.
Sanjay Prateek: Sounds good, I wish you luck in bringing space to the masses. This has been all for today, I will join you again next week where we will discuss how a telemarketing degree will help your kids in getting that dream call center job. May the seven seas of the capital markets have plenty of booty to plunder, good night!