1. APPLICATION​

Companies meeting the selection criteria and wishing to present to E8 begin with an online application through E8’s website. Through completion of the application, a “deal room” will automatically be created in ProSeeder™, an investment tool for managing deal flow. 

 

E8’s application requests information about the environmental problem, your solution, target market, characterization of your competitive advantage, sales and marketing strategy, revenue model, leadership team capabilities, financial projections, and exit strategy. We also require that applicants upload a pitch deck.

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2. SCREENING​

Each month from September to May (excluding December), a number of pre-screened companies are provided a 20 minute opportunity to present online to our Screening Committee.

 

Entrepreneurs have 10 minutes to present their pitch decks, followed by 10 minutes of question and answer.

 

E8 selects two to four companies to present at our membership meeting, which takes place a few weeks after the Screening Committee meeting. Occasionally, a company will be invited to a membership meeting later in the year. ​

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3. COACHING​

Companies selected to present to the full membership are offered a ‘coach’ to answer questions about E8 and to provide feedback on their presentations.​

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4. MEMBERSHIP MEETING PRESENTATION​

This meeting is the first exposure selected companies have to the full E8 membership. The online event is typically on a Thursday at midday. Entrepreneurs are provided 10 minutes to present their pitch decks and their investment opportunities, followed by 5-10 minutes to answer questions from the audience. Questions are solicited and curated using an online tool for audience interaction, and are visible to the entrepreneur. At the end of each pitch slot, members indicate, via a confidential poll, their interest in learning more about a company at a follow-on meeting. 

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5. FOLLOW-ON MEETING​

If there is sufficient interest, E8 will organize a 45-minute online follow-on meeting, typically held the Wednesday morning the week after the member meeting.  The follow-on meeting determines if there is sufficient interest from our members to form a due diligence team.

 

This is a chance for the entrepreneur to review their pitch in more detail, cover critical areas in more depth, and to participate in a robust discussion with E8 members. The entrepreneur may invite other meeting participants who can discuss the product or technology, the market, and the business strategy.

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6. DUE DILIGENCE​

Members interested in a particular company join forces to conduct comprehensive due diligence prior to investment. E8 understands that due diligence places a burden on the entrepreneur and works to ensure that the process is completed in a few months, with a definite decision at the end.  

 

Some decisions will not offer funding, but will identify technology or business milestones, which if reached, would prompt reconsideration for investment. Regardless of outcome, the diligence team will provide the entrepreneur with a summary due diligence report.​

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7. FINAL DOCUMENTS AND CLOSING​

Upon successful conclusion of the due diligence process, investors make individual investment decisions and work together to finalize closing documents.