THE BIG RAISE:
October 3, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
Every successful entrepreneur needs at least two things: a great idea and the funds to bring that idea to life. But the grueling nature of pitching investors for capital can be exhausting and still leave you empty-handed.
To help you prepare for investor expectations and avoid some of the common pitfalls that plague many start-ups as they seek funding, Michael Miller and Alexander Baker break down the process of raising capital into four stages—ideation, preparation, the raise, and after the raise. Demystifying the venture capital landscape, the authors define key terms and explore attainable concepts with the knowledge that comes from their vast experience in business, law, and the world of finance in North America.
You already have the good idea. With the skills and knowledge to go into the fundraising process with confidence, you are more likely to hear investors say, “Yes!”
Michael Miller
Michael is a Toronto-based financial professional specializing in valuation, transaction structuring, and equity analysis. Michael previously worked for two venture capital funds and currently specializes in M&A at a Canadian media conglomerate. Michael has been quoted and featured as a financial expert across several platforms and publications, including BNN Bloomberg, Business Insider, MarketWatch, Vice, and the Financial Post.
Michael is the co-author of “High” Profits from Accounting for Cannabis Plant Industry, the world’s first accounting business case about the cannabis industry, which was published by the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.
Michael also guest-lectures on financial subjects at several colleges, including the University of Cambridge (UK), York University (Canada), Toronto Metropolitan University, and George Brown College. Michael has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business (2014) and an undergraduate degree in history and east Asian studies from the University of Toronto (2008).
Alexander Baker
Alexander is a corporate attorney in Dallas at an international U.S.-based law firm where he maintains an M&A, private equity and venture capital practice, working on a wide array of transactional and governance matters for public and private companies, and private equity and venture capital funds.
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Before moving to Texas from Silicon Valley in late 2021,
Alexander practiced at another international U.S.-based law firm, in Palo Alto, and previously held a similar role at a Canada-based law firm in Calgary, Alberta.
Alexander completed his JD/MBA (2016 ) in Toronto at
Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Wilfrid Laurier University (2010) and an undergraduate degree in economics from McMaster University (2009). Alexander earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2018.
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His favorite thing about Dallas is year-round ice in the rinks.
WORK WITH US
Like shooting a film, a challenge with writing any book is leaving many pieces on the cutting room floor.
We have a bevy of experience with raising money, and many of the best lessons are offered in person. Both of us are available for:
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Speaking Events - Whether you are hosting a conference, corporate event, or other function, we can provide a keynote on a variety of topics that relate to venture financing and corporate transactions generally.
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Workshops - Working directly with founders in a longer-form back-and-forth work session can be of extraordinary benefit to them. Whether you are at an accelerator, incubator, or other forum, we can work directly with your cohort of companies.
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Guest Lectures - Many lessons found in The Big Raise can and have been formatted for the classroom. Suppose you are a professor, teacher, or academic administrator looking for a guest lecturer at the high school, university, or other post-secondary institution level. Between us, we have experience lecturing at several universities and for private financial courses and are available to guest-lecture.
MEDIA
For all media inquiries and requests, including interviews, book reviews, podcast/television appearances, or other media, please e-mail either alexander@thebigraise.net or michael@thebigraise.net.