very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have fo

Anytime is a challenge for entrepreneurs looking for venture capital but now even more so. Competition is fierce and the jousting for the prize of venture capital funds bloodier. To make your quest for capital a little more bullet proof, we asked venture capitalists across the country what advice they would give to entrepreneurs looking for investors. 80 VCs responded. We've summarized the results and included a few specific tips direct from the VCs themselves in quotes.

Here's what they told us:

Reach Significant Milestones Before Seeking Funding- especially Having Paying Customers -- The more the early-stage company is able to accomplish on its own, the more attractive it is to venture capitalists, who now put a premium on the existence of real, live customers rather than vague notions about the customers being 'out there.'

"Get as far as possible without money. Find a way to show the dogs will eat the dog food."

"We've gone from an unrealistic period of believing that the way to grow a company was to constantly seek new investment funds; revenues and earning were scoffed at as "old economy" values. We've gone from "price to yearnings" to "price to earnings" and that's is where we should be. There is nothing "old economy" about revenues and earnings."

"Right now, you need to have it all: working, proprietary, protectable technology; successful, experienced and relevant management team; and proof of market demand in the form of paying customers."

Be Prepared to Bootstrap the Company -- During times when capital is less plentiful, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to go it alone until more investors jump back into funding early-stage deals.

"Very, very, very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have fou

irect from the VCs themselves in quotes.

Here's what they told us:

Reach Significant Milestones Before Seeking Funding- especially Having Paying Customers -- The more the early-stage company is able to accomplish on its own, the more attractive it is to venture capitalists, who now put a premium on the existence of real, live customers rather than vague notions about the customers being 'out there.'

"Get as far as possible without money. Find a way to show the dogs will eat the dog food."

"We've gone from an unrealistic period of believing that the way to grow a company was to constantly seek new investment funds; revenues and earning were scoffed at as "old economy" values. We've gone from "price to yearnings" to "price to earnings" and that's is where we should be. There is nothing "old economy" about revenues and earnings."

"Right now, you need to have it all: working, proprietary, protectable technology; successful, experienced and relevant management team; and proof of market demand in the form of paying customers."

Be Prepared to Bootstrap the Company -- During times when capital is less plentiful, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to go it alone until more investors jump back into funding early-stage deals.

"Very, very, very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have fo

s far as possible without money. Find a way to show the dogs will eat the dog food."

"We've gone from an unrealistic period of believing that the way to grow a company was to constantly seek new investment funds; revenues and earning were scoffed at as "old economy" values. We've gone from "price to yearnings" to "price to earnings" and that's is where we should be. There is nothing "old economy" about revenues and earnings."

"Right now, you need to have it all: working, proprietary, protectable technology; successful, experienced and relevant management team; and proof of market demand in the form of paying customers."

Be Prepared to Bootstrap the Company -- During times when capital is less plentiful, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to go it alone until more investors jump back into funding early-stage deals.

"Very, very, very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have fo

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"Right now, you need to have it all: working, proprietary, protectable technology; successful, experienced and relevant management team; and proof of market demand in the form of paying customers."

Be Prepared to Bootstrap the Company -- During times when capital is less plentiful, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to go it alone until more investors jump back into funding early-stage deals.

"Very, very, very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have fo

very few seed stage companies will obtain capital from venture funds, so it is best to bootstrap as much as possible. Save the time seeking investors and get to work to make something happen."

"Be more creative. Think of ways to make progress without institutional investors."

Work Harder and Do Your Homework -- Finding capital for a start-up company has always been a difficult task, and many entrepreneurs have found it especially hard in 2007. But perseverance and taking the time to really understand what investors look for in a company are two ways of improving the chances of obtaining funding.

"Network like crazy and know EVERTHING about your industry."

"Get realistic about valuation. 100% of Zero is Zero."

"Don't give up!. Keep looking. Research the VCs more thoroughly to find true early stage firms in your particular space. Work with local angel groups, the most likely source of seed money. "

Have the Strongest Management Team Possible Before Seeking Capital -- Investors in each of our annual surveys have stressed the importance of the management team.

"Make sure at least one team member has done it (built a successful company) before."

"Get the best team you can and plan on only one shot at a VC. And plan on a low valuation."

Build the Company More Slowly with Less Capital -- Capital is being 'rationed" out in smaller increments, and quick exit strategies are no longer the norm.

"Do not base any aspect of the plan on an exit of less than 36-48 months."

"Get farther along before you seek institutional capital, and ask for smaller amounts with a realistic time line. Don't compress 7 years of development into 24 months. Build your company one block at a time, and ask for the capital in stages as you prove your case."

Use All Available Capital More Carefully -- Capital is now a more scarce commodity than it was in 1999 and early 2000.

"Make sure your business has a tangible economic benefit to customers in the near term, a strong ROI/Payback. Efficient use of capital is paramount now."

"Use lower growth assumpt