Maverick SGPS

Uma coisa que acontece frequentemente quando um grupo de amigos ou conhecidos se junta para criar uma empresa é que passados alguns meses acabam todos chateados uns com os outros.

Existem muitas razões que podem levar a essa situação, desde questões de quem é que trabalha ou não e que percentagem da empresa cada um deve ter, até chegar a questões como a direcção que a empresa deve tomar ou se a empresa deve ou não ser vendida a um investidor.

Normalmente na base de todas as questões está a falta de definição de quais as expectativas de cada um dos fundadores. O que é que cada um dos fundadores quer obter como resultado do seu investimento e do seu trabalho. Um negócio que lhe pague um salário sem mais chatices? Criar uma empresa que lhe permita passar o tempo a investigar, experimentar e inovar? Montar uma rede mundial de lojas e fazer um IPO na New York Stock Exchange?

A falta de alinhamento entre todos os fundadores relativamente às expectativas de cada um é um ponto gerador de atrito a vários níveis de evolução e de decisão.

After the successfull organization of Kickstart Zero, we will be organizing the Kickstart 1H10 event in early January 2010, where we will select the companies that will receive investment from SeedCapital during the 1st half of 2010 (thus 1H10).

The initial Kickstart event (or Kickstart Zero) was a more extensive event, dubbed as a “micro MBA for entrepreneurs”. After Kickstart 1H10 there will be a Kickstart One “micro MBA” for those who want to know more in-depth entrepreneurial stuff.

Kickstart 1H10 is less intensive in terms of themes presented but more intensive in practical work. But attendance is free (but limited). On the other hand attendees might get an investment.

So if you want to be selected to be present at Kickstart 1H10, please fill out this form. This is just a preregistration form and wont be used for team selection. Later there will be a more extensive registration form.

Teams should register as groups of 2 to 5 people and provide a single point of contact. Later on, those teams will be able to fill out a full registration. From the teams that fill out the full registration we will select 5 to 8 teams to be present at the event and benefit from valuable knowledge and experience. And get a shot of being chosen for investment at DEMO TIME.

Looking forward to see you at Kickstart 1H10…

Why Maverick?

Well someone, a long time ago, when confronted with my “rock the boat and damn the torpedoes” attitude, said “You’re a real maverick!” (non-portuguese guy). I didnt know what that was so I went and checked.

After more than a year of planning and working, we were finally able to finalize the successful raising of 500.000€ for our 1st seed & startup investment fund (http://seedcapital.pt/).

Maverick was instrumental in raising the capital from private investors and will be managing the fund, as well as being an investor.

The funds raised will be managed by Maverick (namely Mario Valente) and used to invest small amounts (15/25K) in seed & startup companies and projects (pre-business plan, pre-prototype, pre-money). The plan is to invest in 10 to 15 projects in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications industry over the next 3 years.