A resource for early stage businesses in and around the Tri-Cities

Companies.
Fuse Fund is in the early stage of fund raising for making investments in local startups. The success of our initial fundraising has allowed us to start considering investments in worthy companies. Fuse Fund has been approached by several companies and we are in the initial stages of considering them for investment. As we make investments in companies they will be listed on this page.

The model.
Fuse Fund is modeled after other successful early stage investment funds, offering:
- Network and mentoring relationships with similar funds and can connect you with other funds that might co-invest.
- Fuse Advisors Board and Investment Committee includes start up and investment experience.
- A Fuse Fund Investor as a Limited Partner (LP) is assigned to each invested company aligned with LP’s expertise to act as a mentor.
- As warranted, Fuse Fund investment commitment made in increments tied to achieving milestones/outcomes (e.g., very early stage or lacking track record).
- Fuse Fund may consider second funding tranche if warranted to maintain momentum and as bridge to other external capital.
- First step is a pre-screening interview which could set up the opportunity to make a pitch to the investment committee. Contact Marty Conger to arrange for a pre-screening meeting (email: conger.marty@gmail.com or call 509 521-4065).

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Frequent questions.
We strive for openness and transparency in sharing our investment process. To that end, here’s a list of frequently asked questions. Because each company’s situation and needs are different, these FAQs are guidelines and general rules of thumb.

How much is Fuse Fund willing to spend per company on actual dollar investments?
Generally, Fuse Fund does not fund concept stage investments – instead we focus on early stage businesses in and around the Tri-Cities of any kind that are established and generating revenue but need capital to achieve success at scale (e.g., Seed/Stage 1 funding). Further, Fuse Fund has an expectation that co-investment will come from one or more additional sources beyond the founders. These seed stage investments are up to $150,000 for an initial round. Fuse Fund may consider a second tranche of funding up to $100,000 if needed for success either as follow on Stage 1 investment or Stage 2 (where company value is established by external investor equity stake). In all cases we expect at least a one-to-one co-investment from other investors on the same terms.
How much control does Fuse Fund allow founders to maintain, thus ensuring that their vision is intact while generating full dollar amount return for investors?
Our investments are structured on terms and conditions that have some accountability for achieving critical business goals and milestones. Fuse Fund does not intend to be a control investor, meaning our investment in the company will result in a minority ownership position. However, we expect portfolio companies to engage best practices for corporate and board structures and governance, management responsibility, accountability, and monthly operational and financial reporting. In some instances, to help ensure these outcomes. a Fuse Fund representative may become a member of the company’s board.
How long does it usually take to receive investment dollars from Fuse Fund once a company satisfies all the requirements?
The due diligence process could take from two to six months and possibly more, depending on the progress already made by the company and decision informed data that is available. It helps to think about investment due diligence as ongoing conversations between the entrepreneur/founding team and Fuse Fund as an investor. Sometimes investments are made independently by the fund to fill in gaps or answer specific questions about the technology, customers, or markets.
What are the requirements for investments?
The company must have a nexus to the Tri-Cities region. The founders and management team agree to use best practices in running and growing the company. We must be able to agree on investment terms that—if the company is successful—will generate market returns for Fuse Fund investors. We do not provide grants, subsidies, or below market financings.
In what kind of businesses is Fuse Fund willing to invest?
Fuse Fund is indifferent to the type of business we will consider for investment. The only explicit criteria is a nexus to the Tri-Cities region. However, we are partial to businesses that have a product or service that addresses untapped market potential and or may be disruptive in the current market. Besides the skill and expertise of the management team Fuse Fund will focus on the potential market and credible (conservative) forecasts of market potential and capture. Validation on the potential of the business by other external investment is also a major factor in our consideration.
Frequent questions.
We strive for openness and transparency in sharing our investment process. To that end, here’s a list of frequently asked questions. Because each company’s situation and needs are different, these FAQs are guidelines and general rules of thumb.

The Fuse universe.
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