This is the place where aspirations intersect with innovation, where open and honest communication fosters collaboration, and where challenges are overcome through teamwork. We are dedicated to empowering and supporting those with audacious goals to accomplish the extraordinary.
What We Believe
We embrace the notion that the future is shaped by those who dare to take bold steps. We recognize that aspiring leaders must adapt and navigate through evolving circumstances. Doing what is right can be arduous, yet we firmly believe that the endeavor is always meaningful and worthwhile.
Our Mission
Our mission is to assist our clients in achieving exceptional levels of value creation, to the point where we collectively establish new benchmarks of excellence within our respective industries.
What We Do
Our comprehensive range of consulting, advisory, and investment services is tailored to address the most crucial issues and opportunities faced by our clients, regardless of industry or geographical location. With our extensive expertise in various functional areas, we excel in capturing value across organizational boundaries and bridging the gaps between different departments or divisions. Our approach focuses on optimizing the overall impact of all components rather than solely focusing on individual elements, resulting in a multiplier effect. We understand the importance of maintaining your company's disclosure practices and ensure that our strategies align with your specific requirements.
Who We Are
Dylan & James is a consulting consortium and advisory firm that leverages a network of industry-seasoned professionals to provide strategic guidance and enhance performance in complex markets. Our teams consist of experts from various disciplines, we bring a breadth of knowledge and expertise to address the unique challenges faced by our clients.
Business Consulting
|
|
Venture/Growth Capital, and Advising
|
|
InvestMENT PROCESS
Process: We aim to make our evaluations painless and efficient, ensuring a smooth investment process for companies. Review our process to determine if it fits your needs. If it's a good fit, we would like to hear from you.
Length of Process: Deals typically take 13 to 15 weeks from application to funding.
Application: Be sure to pay attention to items that we want to see included in your application (these are listed on the application page). Neglecting to follow instructions is a sure way to get rejected. NDAs don’t help. As prospective investors, we just can’t sign them. Asking us to do so will likely grind things to a halt. We simply look at too many opportunities to keep track of NDAs. Share what you feel comfortable sharing and remember that most of the value is created by the execution, not the idea itself.
Screening: We review all applications and select the most promising. We will follow up with those companies to learn more about the people and opportunity. Following an introductory call, we will schedule a call with our screening committee. You will be expected to make a 20 to 25 minute presentation and field questions from the screening committee. Afterwards, the screening committee will formally score your company across a number of areas. Those companies receiving the highest scores will proceed to formal due diligence.
Due Diligence: Our due diligence team will evaluate your opportunity from head to toe. This will be an interactive process where we spend time with the management team to fully understand the plan and how the plan will be executed. We often work with teams to further refine the plan in order to improve the end result. Persistence and timeliness in following up with the due diligence team will also be an important part of the evaluation process.
During the due diligence phase, we will finalize the terms of the deal. We pride ourselves on structuring deals that are fair for both parties.
Presentations: Upon successful completion of due diligence, companies will present to the Dylan & James designated team. Companies will have 25 minutes to present and 20 minutes to answer questions from our investors.
Funding: Our members have one week after the final presentation to make their investment decision. The total investment amount will be communicated to your company at that time. We aggregate all of the individual investments into a single investment vehicle and invest as a single shareholder.
Post Funding Involvement: Closing the deal is only the beginning of the funding process. You now have access to a network of contacts and experienced professionals who can provide valuable guidance for the growth and success of your company. Our board representatives look forward to working with you to help make your venture a success. As a partner, we are here to provide support in any way possible.
Length of Process: Deals typically take 13 to 15 weeks from application to funding.
Application: Be sure to pay attention to items that we want to see included in your application (these are listed on the application page). Neglecting to follow instructions is a sure way to get rejected. NDAs don’t help. As prospective investors, we just can’t sign them. Asking us to do so will likely grind things to a halt. We simply look at too many opportunities to keep track of NDAs. Share what you feel comfortable sharing and remember that most of the value is created by the execution, not the idea itself.
Screening: We review all applications and select the most promising. We will follow up with those companies to learn more about the people and opportunity. Following an introductory call, we will schedule a call with our screening committee. You will be expected to make a 20 to 25 minute presentation and field questions from the screening committee. Afterwards, the screening committee will formally score your company across a number of areas. Those companies receiving the highest scores will proceed to formal due diligence.
Due Diligence: Our due diligence team will evaluate your opportunity from head to toe. This will be an interactive process where we spend time with the management team to fully understand the plan and how the plan will be executed. We often work with teams to further refine the plan in order to improve the end result. Persistence and timeliness in following up with the due diligence team will also be an important part of the evaluation process.
During the due diligence phase, we will finalize the terms of the deal. We pride ourselves on structuring deals that are fair for both parties.
Presentations: Upon successful completion of due diligence, companies will present to the Dylan & James designated team. Companies will have 25 minutes to present and 20 minutes to answer questions from our investors.
Funding: Our members have one week after the final presentation to make their investment decision. The total investment amount will be communicated to your company at that time. We aggregate all of the individual investments into a single investment vehicle and invest as a single shareholder.
Post Funding Involvement: Closing the deal is only the beginning of the funding process. You now have access to a network of contacts and experienced professionals who can provide valuable guidance for the growth and success of your company. Our board representatives look forward to working with you to help make your venture a success. As a partner, we are here to provide support in any way possible.
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
Criteria: Take a look at our investment criteri, if you believe your company meets our guidelines, we would like to hear from you. You may submit an application for funding.
Investment Size: Our investment size ranges from $50k to $500k with an average investment of $250k per round.
Stage: We like startups and early stage businesses. Typically, we provide the first outside money that a company raises. However, we also fund expansion rounds for early stage businesses.
Capital Efficiency: We look for businesses that can generate (or expand) revenue with a relatively modest amount of capital. Capital efficient businesses run a tight ship and can take a round of capital and grow a profitable business within a few years. The quicker a company can produce revenue, the more excited we become about the opportunity.
Industries: We will consider investing in a broad range of industries that span from high tech to low tech. We like businesses that address major problems for large target markets and possess highly scalable business models, yet we will consider real estate, storefront retail, restaurants & bars, and franchises.
Management Team: We invest in people. Talented people are the biggest driver of success. People are our single most important criteria in making an investment decision. We like relevant experience and track record, but passion, drive and unique insight are a must.
Technology: We prefer to invest in first-of-a-kind new ideas, rather than incremental enhancements to common products and services. However, we approach highly complex, esoteric technologies with caution. The concept behind the technology must be proven and verifiable. Further, we avoid science projects that don’t demonstrate a clear path to commercialization. Any breakthrough innovation must be accompanied by a strong business plan.
Competitive Advantage: Companies must have features that distinguish them from potential competitors or provide barriers to entry that prevent other companies from capturing their customers with a similar offering. Companies must also demonstrate that these advantages are sustainable over time.
Expected Return: We invest in companies that could return at least 5X to 10X our investment within a three to five year window. This level of return on investment is essential due to the level of risk and likelihood of failure among early stage ventures.
Location: We prefer to invest in deals located in Southern California, United States, but will consider any company located in the United States. Preference will be given to any Southern California based opportunity.
Investment Size: Our investment size ranges from $50k to $500k with an average investment of $250k per round.
Stage: We like startups and early stage businesses. Typically, we provide the first outside money that a company raises. However, we also fund expansion rounds for early stage businesses.
Capital Efficiency: We look for businesses that can generate (or expand) revenue with a relatively modest amount of capital. Capital efficient businesses run a tight ship and can take a round of capital and grow a profitable business within a few years. The quicker a company can produce revenue, the more excited we become about the opportunity.
Industries: We will consider investing in a broad range of industries that span from high tech to low tech. We like businesses that address major problems for large target markets and possess highly scalable business models, yet we will consider real estate, storefront retail, restaurants & bars, and franchises.
Management Team: We invest in people. Talented people are the biggest driver of success. People are our single most important criteria in making an investment decision. We like relevant experience and track record, but passion, drive and unique insight are a must.
Technology: We prefer to invest in first-of-a-kind new ideas, rather than incremental enhancements to common products and services. However, we approach highly complex, esoteric technologies with caution. The concept behind the technology must be proven and verifiable. Further, we avoid science projects that don’t demonstrate a clear path to commercialization. Any breakthrough innovation must be accompanied by a strong business plan.
Competitive Advantage: Companies must have features that distinguish them from potential competitors or provide barriers to entry that prevent other companies from capturing their customers with a similar offering. Companies must also demonstrate that these advantages are sustainable over time.
Expected Return: We invest in companies that could return at least 5X to 10X our investment within a three to five year window. This level of return on investment is essential due to the level of risk and likelihood of failure among early stage ventures.
Location: We prefer to invest in deals located in Southern California, United States, but will consider any company located in the United States. Preference will be given to any Southern California based opportunity.
INVESTMENT APPLICATION
Application Questionnaire:
1. List your contact information?
2. Where is your company located?
3. How much capital are you seeking?
4. How much capital have you raised in previous rounds? List the source of any previous capital.
5. What is the proposed valuation for the offering?
6. Is your company generating revenue? If so, what is the total trailing twelve months revenue?
7. If your company isn’t generating revenue, how long will it take to begin generating revenue from the time you receive funding?
8. From the time you receive funding, how long will it take to reach positive cash flow?
9. How much total funding do you need to reach positive cash flow?
10. Do you have relevant experience in the field that your company operates?
11. Have you or your cofounders started a company before?
12. Did anyone refer you to us? If so, please list that person.
13. Do you know any members within the networks that we manage?
1. List your contact information?
2. Where is your company located?
3. How much capital are you seeking?
4. How much capital have you raised in previous rounds? List the source of any previous capital.
5. What is the proposed valuation for the offering?
6. Is your company generating revenue? If so, what is the total trailing twelve months revenue?
7. If your company isn’t generating revenue, how long will it take to begin generating revenue from the time you receive funding?
8. From the time you receive funding, how long will it take to reach positive cash flow?
9. How much total funding do you need to reach positive cash flow?
10. Do you have relevant experience in the field that your company operates?
11. Have you or your cofounders started a company before?
12. Did anyone refer you to us? If so, please list that person.
13. Do you know any members within the networks that we manage?