Invest in a Business
Support for business owners seeking capital and prospective individual investors or other private capital providers — privately negotiated investment, profit-sharing or partnership arrangements, depending on the circumstances.
Role disclosureAFC does not make investment decisions, guarantee returns, or provide legal, tax or regulated investment advice — we facilitate introductions and coordinate communication between business owners and prospective investors, subject to their own independent due diligence.
This service may be relevant if you are
Support for both sides of a potential transaction
Investor introductions
Enquiries and introductions between prospective investors and businesses seeking capital, where potentially relevant. Investment opportunities are not independently verified or endorsed.
Capital-seeking business introductions
Support for enquiries from businesses seeking potential individual or other private capital providers. Any investor independently decides whether to review or proceed.
Structure coordination
Coordination of discussions on possible equity, profit-sharing or partnership structures, subject to independent legal and tax advice.
Documentation coordination
Where a separately engaged qualified professional is required, coordination of the introduction to relevant legal or drafting support.
What's normally needed for an initial case review
Requirements differ for business owners and investors — provide what's relevant to your side of the enquiry.
- Business activity and ownership
- Historical financial information
- Current revenue and expenses
- Existing liabilities and borrowing
- Purpose and amount of capital required
- Expected use of funds
- Existing partners or shareholders
- Proposed investment or funding structure
- Proposed tenure or exit arrangement
- Investor's preferred sector or structure, if applicable
- Relevant licences or regulatory requirements
- What assistance you are seeking
Three steps, for either side
Read & self-assess
Identify whether you are seeking capital or exploring an investment opportunity.
Case review
Provide basic business or investment information relevant to your side of the enquiry.
Review
AFC reviews the information for understanding and completeness.
Relevant introduction
Where appropriate, AFC arranges an introduction between the business owner and a prospective investor.
An introduction is not a recommendation to invest. Independent due diligence and professional advice remain the investor's and business owner's own responsibility.
Common questions about this service
What's the difference between this and a formal equity or VC raise?
The scale, participants, structure and documentation may differ. A formal VC or private-equity transaction may involve an investment fund and formal equity documentation; a private transaction involving an individual may use a different structure depending on the business and applicable requirements.
Does a silent partner have any say in running the business?
Not necessarily. The rights of an investor or partner depend on the legal structure and the agreement between the parties — these should be clearly documented rather than assumed from the term "silent partner."
How can the investor's financial participation be structured?
Depending on the transaction, the parties may consider an ownership interest, partnership interest, profit-sharing arrangement or other financing structure. No single structure is recommended over another; the parties should obtain appropriate professional advice.
What happens if the business owner and investor disagree later?
The agreement should address dispute resolution, access to information, additional capital requirements, transfer or exit, default and termination before funds are transferred. The documentation should be reviewed by a qualified professional.
Have an investment requirement to discuss?
Provide the basic business or investment details and we can understand the situation and the information available for further consideration.