Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

During my time in Silicon Valley, I was struck by the fact that most successful entrepreneurs seemed to personally know and regularly hear from all the “movers and shakers” who had the investment capital and leadership they needed. They mentor each other, and seek out experts in domains outside their current expertise and experience.

Startup 113

Startup Customer Custom Technical Review 113

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2013

Explain what kinds of investments TenOneTen makes or hopes to make? David Waxman: We''ve been making investments since the beginning of the year. Our investments include companies in the search technology space, such as SRCH2, which is one of our early investments. David Waxman: Right now, it''s just us. READ MORE>>.

Invest 159

Invest Technology Startup Venture Capital 159

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

For example, we all know people who really believe that everyone in the world is their supporter, when in fact many are actively working against them. In my role as a mentor to business professionals and entrepreneurs over the years, I have found that it’s important to take a hard look at the relationships around you on a regular basis.

Tips 95

Tips Mentor Coach Activity 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Invite the investor to dinner or fun-related activity. A sample of three views is adequate.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Funding Innocal Offshore 124

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

In your opinion, are your angels more or less active this year? Investors are very focused on diligence, on business models that make sense, and those companies that have a definite competitive advantage and defensibility to what they're doing. Mike Napoli: It's quality versus quantity. Interestnig.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Thus, as an initial step in my mentoring efforts to young or older aspiring entrepreneurs alike, I always recommend ways of dipping your toes in the water, before risking all your life savings, some important personal relationships, and your own well-being for a long time to come. Make yourself an active part of the entrepreneur community.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2016

In a world that is hyper competitive – even amongst VCs – I can honestly say that not only is the media recognition accurate but it is amongst the proudest days I’ve had in developing Upfront Ventures and our future. Build out our junior staff including pulling through some younger professionals into the investment ranks.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Journal Invest Santa Monica 150

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2015

As a member of the advisory board for several startups and a mentor to other entrepreneurs, I’ve accumulated my own list of strategies and recommendations on where “going the extra mile” can save you from disaster or supercharge your startup for maximum growth under any circumstances. Cushion your investment requirements.

Startup 96

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2016

I was shocked to read an old Gallup study that indicates only 13 percent of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, and more recent data shows only a small change in the right direction. Find ways to recharge your emotional batteries, through supportive relationships and community activities. Start today.

Startup 58

Startup Examples Mentor Activity 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2016

More importantly, we all need to develop the right relationships, and actively avoid those types that are not right for the business, or not right for our career at a particular point in time. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be.

Mentor 70

Mentor Competition Entrepreneur Summary 70

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2017

Conventional wisdom has them looking for a painful problem, a very large opportunity, and minimal competitive barriers to entry. Good big companies provide the training, mentoring, and experience managing teams that entrepreneurs need, but can’t afford. Think twice before investing with friends and family.

Entrepreneur 56

Entrepreneur Mentor Satisfaction Class 56

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2018

I believe these insights can and must be extended to you and your career, in line with the following guiding principles: Make your interest in learning your competitive advantage. Smart employers look for these as they contemplate your competitiveness for new roles. Make the investment.

Examples 85

Examples Social Media Competition Guide 85

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2017

Most business leaders today realize that smart management of scarce resources is the key to competitive success. Many venture firms go even further, by insisting on investing their own key players in an interesting startup, before they commit any funds. Time investment standards fall directly on the CEO.

Product 58

Product Startup Guide Framework 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2019

Even though investors, like myself, have long made it clear that we invest in people, not ideas, new venture owners insist on talking about their latest “ million dollar idea ,” rather than their “ million dollar team.” Very few businesses can grow organically fast enough to stay ahead of competition.

IBM 87

IBM IBM Ideas Technical Review 87

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2013

More importantly, we all need to develop the right relationships, and actively avoid those types that are not right for the business, or not right for our career at a particular point in time: Acquaintanceship. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be.

Startup 99

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Competition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Invite the investor to dinner or fun-related activity. A sample of three views is adequate.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Innocal Offshore Entrepreneur 103

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 27, 2016

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Invite the investor to dinner or fun-related activity. A sample of three views is adequate.

Technical Review 63

Technical Review Innocal Offshore Entrepreneur 63

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

In his book, “ Out-Executing the Competition ,” seasoned executive Irv Rothman provides tips to corporate executives on how to dig in and “get their fingernails dirty.” If a team member has a plan that is too ambitious and likely to set them up for failure, he or she needs your direct mentoring to dial it back. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 103

Startup Entrepreneur Template Mentor 103

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

We thought today for our interview, that we'd get an update on the angel investment environment here in Southern California from Scott Sangster , the incoming President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Tech Coast Angels , the biggest angel investment group in Southern California. It was actually a really good year last year.

Tech Coast Angels 182

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 182

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

I’m super excited to announce that GRP Partners led the investment in Ethan Anderson’s new company MyTime (link has LA-based merchants but will give you a good feel for the product). I acted as the occasional mentor, advisor and coach to Ethan. In the same year they won Business Insider’s Startup competition.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

socalTECH

JULY 13, 2009

GRP has just recently closed on a new $200M fund, and Mark has been one of the more active venture capitalists in the Los Angeles area in recent months. It looks like GRP has been making lots of early stage investments lately--can you talk a little bit about your investment preferences and what you are looking at nowadays?

GRP Partners 157

GRP Partners Southern California Santa Barbara Rustic Canyon 157

Tech.Co

MARCH 8, 2018

Also at Startup Night will be 25 diverse and innovative startups showcasing their latest products, competing for prizes including: $1K from LaunchKC , Business Extra Points from American Airlines , and a fast tracked spot to the Startup of the Year semifinals competition at Innovate Celebrate 2018. Siggi Hindrichs, Principal at Samsung NEXT.

Technical Review 70

Technical Review Startup Software Review Entrepreneur 70

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2012

In his new book, “ Out-Executing the Competition ,” seasoned executive Irv Rothman provides tips to corporate executives on how to dig in and “get their fingernails dirty.” If a team member has a plan that is too ambitious and likely to set them up for failure, he or she needs your direct mentoring to dial it back. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Template Mentor 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2017

These will provide the competitive edge you need with customers and less-focused team members. No single person knows enough to solve every problem in a business, so the best business executives are always anxious to listen and learn from others, especially mentors and customers. percent are "actively disengaged."

Funding 55

Funding Satisfaction Customer Custom 55

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

Though this was 2000 , and all startup & VC blogs we've grown to love didn't exist yet, I did have mentors available. No, that IS NOT a competitive advantage - A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks , July 12, 2010 This is part 1 of the series: 5 Lessons from 150 startup pitches. California Milk Processor Board) – 1993.

Startup 217

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217

InfoChachkie

APRIL 6, 2015

To go into production, I needed to build hundreds of molds and invest in a cost effective quantity of wheels. I was, however, very competitive when I was young, and had played football in high school well enough to get scholarship offers from what would be called division 1 schools in today’s world. I assume you become his mentor?

Mentor 100

Mentor Pacific Palisades Startup Class 100

CEO Flow

JUNE 8, 2009

I’ve worked with, mentored and observed dozens of companies over the past couple of years. The brute force methods that used to work so well, such as “work harder,&# “hire more,&# “spend more&# aren’t true strategic or competitive advantages. The CEO actively works to motivate (push) people.

Metrics 66

Metrics Slides Competition Activity 66

CEO Flow

JUNE 8, 2009

I’ve worked with, mentored and observed dozens of companies over the past couple of years. The brute force methods that used to work so well, such as “work harder,&# “hire more,&# “spend more&# aren’t true strategic or competitive advantages. The CEO actively works to motivate (push) people.

Metrics 66

Metrics Slides Competition Activity 66

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

How I Think About Seed Investing As A VC - Feld Thoughts , August 2, 2010 Last week saw an explosion of discussion around seed investing, including plenty of negative comments around VCs as seed investors. Often board members give entrepreneurs two bits of advice regarding scale: Get a mentor. There is no competition.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 12, 2017

That leads to a mentor network packed with subject matter experts in retail, food innovation, and supply chain. Hunt – who at the time, had no real regional competitive advantage. The City of Fayetteville, who has taken an active role in the community and put our flag out as the startup city of the South.

Entrepreneur 70

Entrepreneur Startup News High Tech 70

CEO Flow

JUNE 8, 2009

I’ve worked with, mentored and observed dozens of companies over the past couple of years. The brute force methods that used to work so well, such as “work harder,&# “hire more,&# “spend more&# aren’t true strategic or competitive advantages. The CEO actively works to motivate (push) people.

Metrics 66

Metrics Startup Slides Activity 66

CEO Flow

JUNE 8, 2009

I’ve worked with, mentored and observed dozens of companies over the past couple of years. The brute force methods that used to work so well, such as “work harder,&# “hire more,&# “spend more&# aren’t true strategic or competitive advantages. The CEO actively works to motivate (push) people.

Metrics 40

Metrics Slides Competition Activity 40

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2015

A few innovative companies, including the financial advice company The Motley Fool , are so convinced that collaboration is the key to their competitive advantage that they have added the role of “ chief collaboration officer ,” in the person of Todd Etter. Successful startups foster individual credibility and trustworthiness.

Startup 58

Startup Entrepreneur Product Guide 58

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 1, 2016

The “ real gold ” of Silicon Valley reportedly lies in its mentors. What’s more, strategic locations can benefit from varying global legislation: influencing competitor clauses, user privacy data collection, and tax laws amongst other factors that can give a company a powerful competitive edge.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Startup Incubator Media 40

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

Local mentors matter. I figured if we couldn’t fund every company locally we should at least embrace them as a community and show that we’re willing to mentor them whether they raise their money in town or not. No – I’m not worried about the competition. Local capital matters. So what can a community do?

Company 369

Company Companies Startup Snapchat 369

Frank Addante

MAY 12, 2007

► August (1) Invest in Transparency & Active Communication ► July (1) The Fear of Success ► May (2) Optimized for Speed = 30% Waste Happy 1st Birthday Rubicon Project! This is probably due to their extreme focus on education and the lure and competition of their quickly growing tech economy.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Startup 40