# Suntan Investments

## Summary
Suntan Investments is a specialized pre-seed investment firm that focuses exclusively on physical product startups. We provide both capital and hands-on operational support to early-stage founders building tangible products.

## What We Do
- Invest pre-seed capital in physical product companies
- Provide hands-on operational support and mentorship
- Focus on Canadian-based physical product startups
- Offer both equity and revenue-based financing structures
- Charge zero management fees and no upfront costs

## Investment Focus
- **Stage**: Pre-seed and early-stage startups
- **Sector**: Physical products, consumer goods, hardware, food & beverage
- **Geography**: Primarily Canada, with international expansion considerations
- **Investment Size**: $10,000 - $100,000 CAD
- **Structure**: Equity or revenue-based financing

## What Makes Us Different
1. **Time + Capital**: We don't just write checks - we provide weekly working sessions on product sourcing, DTC strategy, supply chain, and paid advertising.
2. **Founder-Friendly Terms**: Fair valuations, aligned incentives, no bloated terms.
3. **Operating Experience**: We've built and scaled physical products ourselves.
4. **Revenue-Based Options**: Flexible structures including revenue-share arrangements.

## Who We Back
We're a strong fit for founders who:
- Sell a physical product (not software or services)
- Are at the earliest, pre-seed stage of revenue
- Are hands-on, execution-first founders
- Are open to both equity and revenue-share structures
- Are building for a real, underserved customer
- Move fast and implement feedback immediately

## What We Look For
- Product Differentiation: Something genuinely different that earns word-of-mouth
- Founder-Market Fit: Founders who know their customer deeply
- Unit Economics Potential: Clear path to 50%+ gross margins
- Manufacturing Clarity: Understanding of supply chain and production
- Coachability: Founders who take feedback and iterate quickly

## Investment Process
1. **Apply**: Fill out our 3-minute form (no pitch deck required)
2. **Intro Call**: 30-minute video call to get to know each other
3. **Deep Dive**: We review your product, numbers, and market
4. **Deal & Build**: Term sheet in days, not months, then we work together

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much do you invest?
We write pre-seed checks sized for early physical product companies — enough to unlock your next milestone without over-diluting you. We structure either straight equity rounds on fair terms or revenue-share arrangements.

### What do you mean by "investing time"?
Beyond capital, you get recurring working sessions on supplier sourcing, unit economics, DTC strategy, paid acquisition, and packaging. We're operators, not just check-writers.

### What stage do you invest at?
The earliest pre-seed stage. You may have first sales, a working prototype, or early traction. We're not typically suited for companies well past product-market fit raising large priced rounds.

### Do you only fund physical products?
Yes. We focus exclusively on companies selling tangible physical products — consumer goods, hardware, food and beverage. This focus is deliberate and leverages our operating experience.

### How long does the process take?
Very fast. After applying, we aim for an intro call within a week. From there, deep dive and decision take days, not months. Term sheets come quickly when we say yes.

### What happens after I submit the form?
A real person on our team reads every application. If there's potential fit, we'll schedule an intro call. If not a fit, we'll tell you honestly and share why when possible.

## Geographic Focus
We primarily invest in Canadian physical product companies. International founders may be considered if expansion to the Canadian market is part of your roadmap.

## Important Notes
- **Disclaimer**: This is not financial advice. We invest in early-stage companies and provide operational guidance. Always consult your own advisors for financial, legal, or tax decisions.
- **No Spam**: We review every application personally. No black holes, no automated rejections.

## Contact
- **Website**: https://suntan.investments
- **Email**: invest@suntan.investments
- **Twitter**: @suntaninvestments
- **LinkedIn**: Suntan Investments

## Additional Resources
We provide free tools for physical product founders:
- Burn Rate Calculator
- Revenue Run Rate Estimator
- Unit Economics Checker
- TAM/SAM/SOM Calculator
- Pitch Deck Checklist
- Investor Readiness Score
- COGS Breakdown Tool
- Founder Fit Quiz
- Product-Market Fit Pulse

## Target Audience
- Early-stage physical product startup founders
- Consumer goods entrepreneurs
- Hardware startup founders
- DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brand builders
- Canadian entrepreneurs with physical products

## Key Differentiators
- **Zero Management Fees**: We only succeed when you succeed
- **Hands-On Support**: Weekly working sessions, not just board meetings
- **Fast Process**: Days to term sheet, not months
- **Flexible Terms**: Equity or revenue-based structures
- **Physical Product Focus**: Deep expertise in tangible goods

## Investment Criteria Summary
- Must sell a physical product
- Pre-seed stage with early traction or prototype
- Canadian market focus
- Strong founder-market fit
- Viable unit economics path
- Manufacturing/supply chain clarity
- Coachable, execution-focused founders