Business Plan Blues

I'm working on a business plan today for like the third time.

I really hate paperwork.

Over the past few months I've come to realize that I might need to raise a little bit of funding or take on some partners to continue growing. Nothing huge, but developing any kind of product is a resource-intensive operation. I'd like to start on version 2.0 of batBack, I'd like to continue market validation, I'd like to add some cool gizmos for those of you who have already signed up. I'd also like to start configuring for heavy growth. And I'd like to make some plans for the next steps. But it is simply impossible to do all of that as one person. Or if it is possible, it must take a better person than me.

That means I have to figure out how to get funding. Let me tell you, it doesn't seem so easy! So much seems to be built around a "who you know" network which is mostly connected to the larger cities. Guys me out in the hinterland don't have those connections, so we have to use the net. And on the net, it's even worse.

After searching around all day yesterday I found a business plan service offered by a nearby venture captial group. By "nearby" I mean a two hour drive! But I figured what the heck, might as well give this thing a shot.

So I went to their web site, signed up, and looked around for directions. I couldn't find any. Heck -- I couldn't even find a spot to pay my application fee. The most I could find was a phone number.

So like a dummy, I called the phone number. What did I get? I got voice mail is what I got. I left a message yesterday afternoon. So far nobody has called back.

This has to be easier. Do any of my readers know anything about raising captial for a web start-up business? If so, please email me. Any kind of tips, contacts, or leads would be welcome.