Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 30, 2014

It’s true the some VCs have started writing so many checks that they resemble stock pickers but the majority of us still have less than 10 board seats at any time and tend to go pretty deep so the result is that we care deeply about where we commit our time. Did anybody hold patents that would prevent us from using this technology?

Technical Review 418

Technical Review Software Review CTO Hire IP 418

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2015

These things outside your control do happen, but based on my years of experience as a startup advisor and Angel investor, I still see too many common failure causes that are inside the entrepreneur decision realm. I believe the old adage that you don’t know what you don’t know until you try to write it down.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Writing Ideas 105

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2016

These things outside your control do happen, but based on my years of experience as a startup advisor and angel investor, I still see too many shortcuts leading to failure that are inside the entrepreneur decision realm. I believe the old adage that you don’t know what you don’t know until you try to write it down.

Startup 57

Startup Entrepreneur Writing Ideas 57

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

As a member of the local angel group Selection Committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Describe your technology patents and “secret sauce”. Competition and sustainable advantage. Opportunity sizing.

Slides 94

Slides Competition Sample Sales 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2016

Unfortunately, as a startup advisor and angel investor, I’ve seen too many ventures with great potential get destroyed or set back by legal and other shortcuts that should never have been allowed to happen. Filing a provisional patent costs very little if you do it yourself, and it holds your place in line for a year.

Startup 62

Startup Patents Entrepreneur Writing 62

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Letters of intent or endorsement.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Letters of intent or endorsement.

Startup 104

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Letters of intent or endorsement.

Startup 101

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

Forcing yourself to write down a plan is actually the only way to make sure you actually have a plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. Letters of intent or endorsement.

Tips 88

Tips Startup CTO Hire Press 88

Tech.Co

MARCH 1, 2018

Their platform helps couples improve their communication and interactions through their “LoveTips,” and will help support planning and executing activities such as ordering flowers and writing love notes. Tapping into a niche community is part of Quirktastic Media’s competitive advantage. The Mentor Method (Washington, D.C.).

Startup 79

Startup Mentor Platform Help 79

Frank Addante

JUNE 4, 2006

of the product, file patents, hire a small sales team and launch a marketing program to take StrongMail to market. Sequoia has a tremendous reputation, but it was also important to us to have a local (Los Angeles) VC as well. Now, finally, we would see advancements in the way people use email!

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Email CTO Hire 40