Berkonomics

MAY 11, 2023

Checking with professional investors from angels to VC’s, the answer appears to be near unanimous: the quality of the proposed or actual management team comes in a strong first before the attractiveness of the business plan itself. None of this is to say that an inexperienced entrepreneur cannot lead a great new business.

Statistics 156

Statistics Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 156

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2012

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my humble opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader and a plan. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 103

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Resource 103

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. Intellectual property is required for a competitive edge. Even the best college degree is not a substitute. Neither is good.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

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: Actually, we are seeing entrepreneurs.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 8, 2015

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader who can execute. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 115

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 115

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I tend to see many of the same obstacles appearing in every new startup, and since I don’t want to appear to be a downer , I’m not sure how to properly warn people ahead of time to be on the alert for these challenges. Too many entrepreneurs think that expert external advisors are suspect, or will slow them down.

Startup 131

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Custom 131

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

In my ongoing quest to get you good transcripts of the wonderful interviews we’ve done in the past, I present you with one amazing interview here with Tom McInerney – a friend, co-investor, former entrepreneur turned angel investor and “wizard of Oz&# behind the scenes at the uber hot startup Klout.

Angel 302

Angel Startup Ideas .Net 302

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2010

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a dialogue on their current hot “idea.” In my humble opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth anything, outside the context of a vision and plan. What separates an idea person from a visionary leader?

Ideas 98

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Resource 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2015

These days, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, pitching their latest and greatest new idea, and looking for someone to give them money. Angel investors, like me, have long figured out that asking to see the prototype is a quick way to separate the ‘wannabes’ from serious players. Quantify the implementation challenges.

Ideas 107

Ideas Outsource Development Startup Tool 107

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

Business success is still more about the people than the technology or idea involved. As an angel investor and a mentor to entrepreneurs I still see this every day. Every entrepreneur needs to start by setting a major purpose for embarking down a specific business path. Applied faith. Personal initiative. Enthusiasm.

Technical Review 119

Technical Review Ideas Entrepreneur Custom 119

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my humble opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader and a plan. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 104

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 104

Berkonomics

MARCH 16, 2017

Checking with professional investors from angels to VC’s, the answer appears to be near unanimous: the quality of the proposed or actual management team comes in a strong first, before the attractiveness of the business plan itself. None of this is to say that an inexperienced entrepreneur cannot lead a great new business.

Statistics 243

Statistics Ideas Entrepreneur Startup 243

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2017

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader who can execute. Positive inspirational communication.

Entrepreneur 67

Entrepreneur Ideas Startup Resource 67

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2023

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Startup 124

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Ideas 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2022

These days, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, pitching their latest and greatest new idea, and looking for someone to give them money. Angel investors, like me, have long figured out that asking to see the prototype is a quick way to separate the ‘wannabes’ from serious players. Quantify the implementation challenges.

Outsource Development 110

Outsource Development Ideas Tool Outsource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2023

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. Show focus and your understanding that your company is something more than just a good idea. Be concise as well as complete.

Equity 121

Equity Technical Advisors Funding Ideas 121

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 25, 2015

Business success is still more about the people than the technology or idea involved. As an angel investor and a mentor to entrepreneurs I still see this every day. Every entrepreneur needs to start by setting a major purpose for embarking down a specific business path. Applied faith. Personal initiative. Enthusiasm.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Ideas Custom Customer 108

SoCal Tech Calendar

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 -- Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch. Our Fast Pitch Competitions are "the" place for Southern California entrepreneurs to present their ideas to investors. Over the years, Tech Coast Angels and several venture capital firms have funded many companies that have been Fast Pitch participants.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Angel Southern California Competition 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

As an advisor to many entrepreneurs, I still hear frequently the irrational exuberance that crowdfunding is the quick alternative for startups that are passed over by overly demanding angels or venture capital investors. You need a polished, tested concept, not just an idea.

Startup 100

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Demand 100

Berkonomics

APRIL 24, 2014

Often I see executive summaries from entrepreneurs who have never managed any form of business, or even managed employees in their past life, and who don’t know the first thing about business formation and managing for growth. I used to tell them to find a partner with knowledge in business creation and management.

Coach 250

Coach Seed Funding Summary Incubator 250

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009 -- The Entrepreneur's Journey: Finding, Launching and Growing the Next Big Thing. The Entrepreneurs Journey: Finding, Launching and Growing the Next Big Thing takes participants on a guided tour from developing the creative idea for a new business to delivering a high market value start-up.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Pepperdine Malibu Southern California 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2011

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my humble opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader and a plan. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 98

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 98

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2018

These days, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, pitching their latest and greatest new idea, and looking for someone to give them money. Angel investors, like me, have long figured out that asking to see the prototype is a quick way to separate the ‘wannabes’ from serious players. Quantify the implementation challenges.

Ideas 53

Ideas Outsource Development Tool Outsource 53

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2015

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. Investors invest in people, more than ideas.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Custom 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2020

Every entrepreneur I know has their favorite excuse for a previous failure – an investor backed out, the economy took a downturn, or a supplier delivered bad quality. In that spirit, I offer my perspective on ten common startup failure sources that rarely get admitted by entrepreneurs: Choose to skip the written business plan.

Startup 174

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Ideas 174

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

As a business advisor, I meet many business professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs who are anxious to be their own boss , or have an innovative idea to start or acquire a new business. You should pick an idea that you can hand off quickly to investors, or one you can grow as a legacy for your family.

Startup 94

Startup Ideas Metrics Entrepreneur 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. Investors invest in people, more than ideas.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Custom 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Business success is still more about the people than the technology or idea involved. As an angel investor and a mentor to entrepreneurs I still see this every day. Every entrepreneur needs to start by setting a major purpose for embarking down a specific business path. Applied faith. Personal initiative. Enthusiasm.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Ideas Entrepreneur Custom 126

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according to a classic Crunchbase article. Individual angel investors and crowdfunding have been adding to the momentum, some say exceeding VCs in total amount invested.

Guide 136

Guide Venture Capital Funding Class 136

Tech.Co

JULY 18, 2016

It’s no secret that Los Angeles is home to a bevy of celebrities. startups wanting to get recognized, Tech.Co’s Startup Showcase in Los Angeles on July 26th is the perfect opportunity. startups wanting to get recognized, Tech.Co’s Startup Showcase in Los Angeles on July 26th is the perfect opportunity.

Los Angeles 70

Los Angeles Angel Startup Newsletter 70

Berkonomics

MARCH 30, 2012

Sara focuses upon another side of small business financing not typically considered in the angel and venture world, financing from sources for companies that will probably never be attractive to those niches. . Here’s the new truth: It is rare to get anyone to invest in an idea these days.

Funding 192

Funding Entrepreneur Startup Invest 192

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Your great idea for the next Facebook may make you wealthy, but it probably won’t help the hungry. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Statistics Equity Satisfaction 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream, or collateral to back up their financing needs. The first thing to remember is that banks only do loans – they don’t do equity investments like angels and venture capitalists (and vice versa).

Technical Advisors 162

Technical Advisors Tips Startup Equity 162

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2014

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over 60 times as many companies, according the Center for Venture Research. Individual angel investors have been filling the gap, and now match VCs in total amount invested.

Angel 104

Angel Funding Startup Venture Capital 104

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2022

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders quandaries in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Your great idea for the next Facebook may make you wealthy, but it probably won’t help the hungry. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 130

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 130

Tech.Co

MAY 25, 2018

If you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, technology has served you well. BlackTech Week was created in 2014, and in four short years, they’ve gained over 2700 participants, 150 speakers, and 3 pitch competitions. The Case Foundation invests in people and ideas that can change the world. BlackTech Week (Miami, FL).

Startup 140

Startup Technical Review Competition Software Review 140

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. Exposure instills the fear and urgency you need to deliver the right competitive solution. get the attention of the market they choose.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Oracle Software Review Ideas 123