Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. Smart entrepreneurs pre-disclose any possible due diligence issues, with full and open explanations and no excuses.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Invest Funding Patents 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. But many have no insight or connections to the ethereal angel investment community, which In the U.S. Angels prefer strong teams to big ideas.

Angel 126

Angel Funding Venture Capital Seed Funding 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. For aspiring entrepreneurs, or if your last startup failed, it’s all about standing out above the crowd of others like you, and demonstrating your readiness.

Entrepreneur 156

Entrepreneur Tips Funding Startup 156

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Local angel investment group Maverick Angels is merging its membership base into the much larger Tech Coast Angels , according to members of the groups. In recent years, the Maverick Angels had mostly been focused on running coaching programs and seminars for entrepreneurs. READ MORE>>.

Tech Coast Angels 173

Tech Coast Angels Angel Press Coach 173

socalTECH

JULY 30, 2018

Galvanize, which is based out of denver but has locations in Austin, Boulder, Denver, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle, said the acquisition and funding will add Los Angeles to its "innovation hubs" technology students, alumni, entrepreneurs, startups and established companies.

Los Angeles 100

Los Angeles Angel Software Engineering Activity 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 23, 2018

Sunday, April 29, 2018 -- Tech Coast Angels: EXTREME Coaching. Perfect your 60-second pitch with valuable coaching from Tech Coast Angels investors and startup experts. Incredible networking and exposure to media and active investors of Orange County.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Coach Orange County Angel 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 23, 2018

Saturday, April 28, 2018 -- Tech Coast Angels: EXTREME Coaching. Perfect your 60-second pitch with valuable coaching from Tech Coast Angels investors and startup experts. Incredible networking and exposure to media and active investors of Orange County.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Coach Orange County Angel 100

SoCal CTO

MAY 14, 2012

The crowd of more than 1,500 spilled out into hallways, and would-be investors were turned away from the doors, as a crush of entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, wanna-be entrepreneurs, and others looked to be part of the surge of startups emerging in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles 254

Los Angeles Angel Startup Miramar 254

SoCal Tech Calendar

MAY 14, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010 -- Tech Coast Angels Mixer Angel/Entrepreneur Meetup. LA Angel Investors Looking for Great Entrepreneurs to Fund If you are an entrepreneur with a new business or idea and want to talk to angel investors, dont miss the Tech Coast Angels LA Angel/Entrepreneur Mixer.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Angel Entrepreneur Ideas 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 23, 2017

LA's technology startup industry has saw a surge in new companies and efforts from its serial entrepreneurs in the last few months. Here's a quick look at just a few of the new companies who are led by serial entrepreneurs from the LA ecosystem. Entering Startup image courtesy Mike @ flickr. Ground Control. AppOnboard.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Company Companies Technical Review 113

SoCal CTO

MAY 22, 2012

I recently posted about the Increase in Early-Stage Startup Activity in Los Angeles. I realized that it has been a little while since I posted about the Los Angeles Startup Community and so needed to update my list of startup events that will be out of date almost before I finish publishing it.

Los Angeles 198

Los Angeles Southern California Angel Enterprise Forum 198

Berkonomics

AUGUST 3, 2023

However, most often, these funds are solicited by a well-meaning entrepreneur from investors who are not qualified as accredited investors under the law (currently requiring a proved income of $200,000 a year or $1 million in net worth for an individual investor). Professional angels: This is the arena where I work and play.

Venture Capital 295

Venture Capital Startup Class Invest 295

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

It really is possible for an introvert to succeed as an entrepreneur, even though you can’t expect to start and build a business alone. Every entrepreneur, especially an introvert, can benefit from the perspective of another business person, ideally one who has prior experience in the domain you are about to enter.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Mentor Activity Startup 104

Berkonomics

JUNE 26, 2014

Angel investors, particularly those in organized angel groups, are typically former entrepreneurs who have had successful liquidity events in their pasts, or executives of companies who’ve retired with the funds from their stock options. So how an angel responds to your pitch depends upon his or her background.

Angel 191

Angel Technical Review Coach Entrepreneur 191

socalTECH

DECEMBER 12, 2012

What's the best way to encourage development of the technology industry in Los Angeles? Fellowship Program to connect the city's many new graduates with local businesses and entrepreneurs, and new efforts to help entrepreneurs find resources like accelerators, commercial real estate, and more.

Los Angeles 242

Los Angeles Technology Culver City Angel 242

socalTECH

MARCH 8, 2011

A new study released by the Kauffman Foundation this week shows that the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has the highest number of entrepreneurs per 100,000 people, of the top fifteen largest MSAs. The report covers all business entrepreneurs, not just those in the high tech industry.

Entrepreneur 246

Entrepreneur Report Long Beach Statistics 246

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Riot Ventures , the Los Angeles-based, early-stage and deep technology investment firm is going out to market to raise a $75 million second fund to finance the development of startups in LA and beyond, according to fundraising documents viewed by TechCrunch. Marcus has a long background in angel investing and company creation.

Los Angeles 126

Los Angeles Artificial Inteligence Invest Angel 126

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

In my role as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find that most have the technical challenges well understood, but many are a bit short on some basic street smarts , or basic business realities. Planning for the future must be a regular activity, not just an early-stage or once-a-year event. Survival requires regular updates.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

socalTECH

JULY 23, 2012

There's been a surge in startup accelerator activity in Los Angeles in the last year, as interest in starting a company in the region has grown, and a wide range of experienced entrepreneurs and investors have pitched in to help companies get to the next level. Of that, $97.47 The conclusion on all of this number crunching?

Los Angeles 234

Los Angeles Angel Report Startup 234

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2012

In the sad conclusion of the trial in the murder of a local angel investor, a man was sentenced to life in prison Friday without the possibility of parole, in the murder of angel investor John G. Watson had been found dead by fellow Tech Coast Angels members in June of 2010. Watson two years ago.

Tech Coast Angels 174

Tech Coast Angels Angel San Diego Activity 174

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012 -- Startup Weekend Los Angeles. Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. See [link].

Los Angeles 124

Los Angeles Angel Startup Activity 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 11, 2012

Saturday, November 17, 2012 -- Startup Weekend Los Angeles. Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. See [link].

Los Angeles 124

Los Angeles Angel Startup Activity 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Friday, November 16, 2012 -- Startup Weekend Los Angeles. Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. See [link].

Los Angeles 124

Los Angeles Angel Startup Activity 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 26, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 -- TCA Entrepreneur Mixer. TCA Angel Investors Looking for Great Entrepreneurs to Fund If you are an entrepreneur with a new business or idea and want to talk to angel investors, don't miss the Tech Coast Angels OC Angel/Entrepreneur Mixer. See [link] (more)

Tech Coast Angels 133

Tech Coast Angels Entrepreneur Ideas Activity 133

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 14, 2012

Thursday, August 16, 2012 -- TCA Entrepreneur Mixer. If you are an entrepreneur and want to meet angel investors and fellow entrepreneurs, don't miss the Tech Coast Angels OC Entrepreneur Mixer. Join us in a relaxed, informal environment to mix, mingle and discuss new business ideas and how to get funded.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Tech Coast Angels Ideas Activity 113

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 7, 2012

Wednesday, June 13, 2012 -- TCA Entrepreneur Mixer. If you are an entrepreneur and want to meet angel investors and fellow entrepreneurs, don't miss the Tech Coast Angels OC Entrepreneur Mixer. Join us in a relaxed, informal environment to mix, mingle and discuss new business ideas and how to get funded.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Tech Coast Angels Ideas Activity 113

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 21, 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 -- TCA Entrepreneur Mixer. TCA Angel Investors Looking for Great Entrepreneurs to Fund If you are an entrepreneur with a new business or idea and want to talk to angel investors and fellow entrepreneurs, don't miss the Tech Coast Angels OC Entrepreneur Mixer.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Entrepreneur Ideas Activity 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Serious entrepreneurs know that, but too many “wannabes” still fall for that elusive get-rich-quick scheme with no risk. As an active angel investor, I still hear entrepreneurs asserting large opportunities with minimal risk and no competition. Outside of dreams, there is no real business opportunity without risk.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Marketing Customer Custom 107

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

As an angel investor and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always disappointed to see founders who seem stressed out most of the time, and more annoyed than energized by the abundance of challenges they see in building their startup. Investors and strategic partners look for entrepreneurs who can execute.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 100

socalTECH

JANUARY 5, 2012

The San Diego chapter of the Tech Coast Angels , the largest angel investment group in Southern California, as well as the United States, said today that it has established a new, memorial fund, the John G. Watson Foundation , which will support entrepreneurism in the San Diego region.

Tech Coast Angels 159

Tech Coast Angels San Diego Angel Funding 159

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

In your opinion, are your angels more or less active this year? Mike Napoli: Actually, we are seeing entrepreneurs. The Tech Coast Angels had great exit last year in Green Dot - anything which, in hindsight, made this one a home run? Mike Napoli: I think it was the entrepreneur.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

(In case it’s not obvious it’s a play on the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.&# ) I believe that being successful as an entrepreneur requires you to get lots of things done. Entrepreneurs make fast decisions and move forward knowing that at best 70% of their decisions are going to be right. This paralyzes most people.

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). For most entrepreneurs it will be the first time and also will have such a profound impact on their future financial situation that it’s hard to objectively handle the exit process in the way a seasoned pro can.

Invest 280

Invest Angel Venture Capital Yahoo 280

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. But many have no insight or connections to the ethereal angel investment community, which In the U.S. Angels prefer strong teams to big ideas.

Venture Capital 106

Venture Capital Angel Seed Funding Invest 106

socalTECH

AUGUST 24, 2012

A list of the top ten cities for startups was released by USA Today and the National Venture Capital Association today, naming both Los Angeles and San Diego among the best cities for startup companies. READ MORE>>.

San Diego 188

San Diego Los Angeles Break.com CitySearch 188

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2014

In a world with a rash of startup incubators and accelerators, super angels, crowdfunding sites, and more, what''s the relevance of organized angel investments groups? First off, for those not familiar with the Pasadena Angels, talk about the group? What does that mean to entrepreneurs? It''s more than money.

Pasadena Angels 162

Pasadena Angels Pasadena Angel Startup 162

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Luis Villalobos , the founder of the Tech Coast Angels , the largest and arguably the most influential angel group in Southern California, has passed away. According to Frank Peters, a TCA member and podcaster, Tech Coast Angels Richard Sudek broke the news to members last night.

Tech Coast Angels 147

Tech Coast Angels Angel Southern California Mentor 147