​​Three crucial factors help a startup takeoff:

1. Originality
2. Intelligence
3. Capital

Plenty of ventures have the first two pieces to the puzzle, but too many of them stall before accumulating enough capital to scale up their operations. That’s where we come in. We’re a group of students and recent graduates working in the financial services industry. Consequently, we’ve got more money then we need. Spending it on debauchery is still the preferred option for many of us, but we realize there are better things to do with our disposable income.

You need capital to grow and there are plenty of people looking to put their money to work.

TinkererVentures is an arm of TinkererMedia. We bring potential investors and fledgling companies together. To receive funding, companies must make it through multiple rounds of screening. First, TinkererVentures staff will evaluate whether groups meet minimum viability criteria. Next, companies are expected to submit a fifteen minute video + PowerPoint presentation to the Tinkerers, who will determine which teams seem likely to have success in front of investors. 
Finally, we bring potential investors to college campuses where they are given in-person presentations and a chance to bid on companies. This is where some groups will realize the true value of their idea. Bids will be conducted auction style, and only the three highest bidders will be allowed to invest in any one company. In exchange for their money, they’ll each expect a five percent equity stake (don’t worry too much about the paperwork, we’ll put all involved parties in touch with good lawyers). 
For potential investors, there is a minimum bid of $2,500 — and the maximum investment is $50,000. We’re paternalistic for a reason: we want to maximize value while minimizing risk and potential for conflict. Investment contracts will be bespoke, and each oversight arrangement will be finalized among the parties involved. TinkererVentures will provide recommendations, however.

Companies have nothing to lose but their time. 

A maximum fifteen percent external equity stake keeps founders firmly in control of their company, and the influx of capital allows for expansion. There are expectations, however. TinkererVentures will enforce progress reporting through an official monthly form + video submission.  ​

What’s the catch?

​In exchange for facilitating investments and administering presentations, transactions, and reporting, TinkererVentures takes a small percentage of capital invested from bidders and a two percent equity stake in partner companies who receive a successful bid.