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

AUGUST 21, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often feel the frustration of someone trying to build a startup in the wrong place and time, and wrongly attributing their struggle to personal limitations. Contrary to popular belief, innovative new ideas don’t often spring from a single mind. Building a startup is not a solo operation.

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Resource Startup Capital Mentor 131

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2020

Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start. These often lead to angel investors and venture capital investments later, or connections to local company venture funds for selected focus and technology areas.

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Class Startup Resource Mentor 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2022

Over my many years as a business advisor and angel investor, I have become a firm believer in the opposite position, that you make your own luck , which drives business success, rather than the other way around. Having an unlimited number of ideas is not a substitute. Show a focus on a single objective, rather than many.

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Startup Competition Coach Satisfaction 143

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. This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Without imagination, entrepreneurs can never dream up new ideas.

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Technical Review Ideas Entrepreneur Customer 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

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. But, like most other skills, you can learn from these priorities: Everyone benefits from active mentoring.

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Tips Mentor Coach Activity 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2023

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

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Organization Incubator Startup Resource 92

Tech.Co

MAY 25, 2018

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. Indiegogo has brought more than 800,000 ideas to fruition since 2008. Pipeline Angels (National Network).

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Startup Technical Review Competition Software Review 140

Tech.Co

JULY 19, 2017

arm is based out of Los Angeles, they also have locations in Hong Kong and Moscow, Russia. One notable fact about the competition: While it’s free to enter, fellows should have a plan in place to co-finance their participation through either a fellowship or partner funding. While WelkerMedia’s U.S.

Mentor 71

Mentor Media Activity Competition 71

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

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Resource Startup Incubator Seed Funding 159

socalTECH

JUNE 20, 2012

There is a large menu of startup accelerators in the Los Angeles, but one of more established efforts in the area is LaunchpadLA ([link] The effort actually started as an informal mentoring program, but has grown and expanded to follow the accelerator model. We're really excited for the next steps.

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Class Mentor Startup Santa Monica 261

Tech.Co

APRIL 24, 2018

Being a part of the SOTY alumni lasts well beyond the pitch competition. One of our advisors heard about the Startup of the Year competition and thought we should consider pitching. “We had never pitched in front of others and had no idea what was expected. A Strong Alumni Network. And we’re so glad we did!

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Startup Competition Google Capital 70

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. Your customers and competition make unexpected moves.

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Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

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. This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Without imagination, entrepreneurs can never dream up new ideas.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Ideas Customer Custom 108

Tech.Co

MARCH 13, 2018

. “ Without of the support from my team and family, I wouldn’t have the guts to even apply for this competition. His advice for startups pitching at competitions: The key is to try to get down all your thoughts. ” His advice for startups at pitch competitions: Always understand who you are going up against.

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Startup Competition Mentor Entertainment 70

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2013

It would be easier in terms of getting access to angels, VCs, the media, whatever. ” Most VCs view it as their responsibility to mentor, debate, cajole and generally assist with investments they make. Thus, a desire to invest more locally where I think I have a competitive advantage. That’s what local allows.

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Venture Capital Marketing Santa Barbara Startup 365

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

I am taking the lead from GRP and we also invested alongside a number of friends including Dave McClure, Dave Tisch, Ben Smith (Merchant Circle), Brian Lee (ShoeDazzle, LegalZoom), Jason Calacanis, Evan Rifkin, Jennifer Lum, Jay Weintraub and a whole host of other angels. I acted as the occasional mentor, advisor and coach to Ethan.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

The bad news is that many are already doing it, with competition growing, so the longer you wait, the less chance you have of getting there first. In a new startup, there is tremendous competitive value in registering intellectual property early, but you don’t need to contract these tasks to expensive experts any longer.

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Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media Outsource Development 108

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2014

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. This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Without imagination, entrepreneurs can never dream up new ideas.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Ideas Startup Customer 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist.

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Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

As one of the organizers, Jay Tucker explained, “The Silicon Beach movement is the future of the Los Angeles tech area – tech, mobility, digital content, entrepreneurship, etc. Startup Pitch Competition. In the end, 3 startups were awarded prize money for their spectacular business ideas. Innovation, Technology, and Startups.

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USC Cornerstone OnDemand Southern California Netflix 98

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2013

We saw an extraordinary opportunity, in general, and in LA in particular, to really focus in on technology in Los Angeles. There is a really genuine and real opportunity in the intersection of media and entertainment technology here in Los Angeles, and people are focused here on that for a legitimate reason.

Invest 159

Invest Technology Startup Venture Capital 159

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

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. This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Without imagination, entrepreneurs can never dream up new ideas.

Technical Review 53

Technical Review Ideas Entrepreneur Customer 53

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start. These often lead to angel investors and venture capital investments later, or connections to local company venture funds for selected focus and technology areas.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

SoCal CTO

JULY 23, 2012

How do we need to structure the systems to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition? Learning, Networking, Mentors From the question, this person is clearly looking at the issue of how to grow into this role. Here in Los Angeles, it's the LA CTO Forum - a private, invite only group of 250+. How can we address this risk?

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Incubator 87

Incubator Startup Resource Seed Funding 87

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 7, 2013

Pipeline Fellowship teaches women to become angel investors and become a more powerful and helpful voice in the investment world. We like to give women a chance to see and learn all about investing and what it takes to become an angel investor. I’m passionate about women becoming angel investors.

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Mentor Invest Entrepreneur Startup 84

Tech.Co

MARCH 2, 2018

And if you have a big idea, the opportunity to create your destiny should be available to you. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a startup lunch on the rooftop , panels, mentor sessions, VC sessions, a special Startup Pitch Jam, and finally, the big party and “must attend” event known as Startup Night SXSW 2018. “

Startup 70

Startup Organization Networking Venture Capital 70

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. That’s about the same ratio that Angel investors claim. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Incubator 106

Incubator Startup Help Resource 106

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 28, 2012

A month ago, I participated in my first ever Startup Weekend event in Los Angeles, California in the co-working spaces at Coloft. I pitched an idea that was voted in the top 12 but couldn’t form a complete team. The following week, I joined AT&T Hackathon at iO/LA in Hollywood and again pitched the idea.

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Startup Ideas San Diego Mentor 100

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 2, 2011

At the Technovation Challenge LA Pitch Night hosted by Iridescent , we saw six teams of high school girls from various Los Angeles City Schools pitch a number of mobile app ideas to a panel of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Seek out similar academic competitions and programs. Musical Gears – BUSavvy. Find a hero.

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Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review USC 82

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2015

As an angel investor, I get requests almost every day to review a new product or website, and provide feedback on its potential success. These people are the ultimate chess players in the game of startups, always looking to be two or three moves ahead of the competition. It is people who drive successful businesses.

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Startup Incubator Entrepreneur Metrics 106

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

Welcome to the Lost Decade (for Entrepreneurs, IPO’s and VC’s) - Steve Blank , July 15, 2010 If you take funding from a venture capital firm or angel investor and want to build a large, enduring company (rather than sell it to the highest bidder), this isn’t the decade to do it. What if someone copies your awesome business idea?

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Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

Get connected to the right mentors and your business may catapult to the next level. I figured if Matt was on the verge of bankruptcy and one mentor changed his trajectory, what if we had a formalized, community-wide program? Since selling Matt has gone on to become one of the smartest angels I have seen operate. The answer?

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Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

As an angel investor, I routinely toss business plans that focus too much on today, and don’t talk about tomorrow. Find mentors and advisors who have more relevant business experience, insist you see things that aren’t on your radar, and spot what’s coming around the corner. Build and listen to an effective group of advisors.

Customer 57

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 57

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. Joanne Chen, Partner at Foundation Capital.

Technical Review 70

Technical Review Startup Software Review Entrepreneur 70

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2010

The group--which was started by Richard Koffler and John Morris , two well known investors in Los Angeles--has been trying to help connect CEOs with interesting university and other technology projects. What is the idea behind the Tech CEO Network? Thanks for the time today. Where is this talent coming from? Thanks, and good luck!

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Networking Research Startup USC 215