Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2022

Don’t wait for the harsh reality of the demanding business world to start thinking about these tradeoffs. You don’t want to take money from friends and family, but it’s too early for angel investors and VCs. Bootstrap if you can, otherwise climb the pyramid of family, friends, angels, and VCs. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 130

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 130

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2019

million round led by Los Angeles firm Upfront Ventures, with participation from Mucker Capital and Matchstick Ventures. The company is actually based out of LA, too, but has completed its initial launch in Minnesota, where there’s greater demand for short-term bus travel. The business has closed a $3.85

Services 207

Services Startup Venture Capital Redpoint 207

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2023

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. Don’t demand or expect immediate gratification.

Entrepreneur 70

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2019

As an active angel investor, I look for this level of alignment and understanding in every funding presentation I hear. Investors will demand clear channel definitions. Then there is the follow-up to provide customer support and satisfaction. It shows you how everyone works in synergy. Customer relationships. Key partners.

Activity 100

Activity Customer Custom Resource 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2019

Don’t wait for the harsh reality of the demanding business world to start thinking about these tradeoffs. You don’t want to take money from friends and family, but it’s too early for angel investors and VCs. Bootstrap if you can, otherwise climb the pyramid of family, friends, angels, and VCs. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 97

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Don’t wait for the harsh reality of the demanding business world to start thinking about these tradeoffs. You don’t want to take money from friends and family, but it’s too early for Angel investors and VCs. Bootstrap if you can, otherwise climb the pyramid of family, friends, Angels, and VCs. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Statistics Equity Satisfaction 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2017

As an active angel investor, I look for this level of alignment and understanding in every funding presentation I hear. Investors will demand clear channel definitions. Then there is the follow-up to provide customer support and satisfaction. It shows you how everyone works in synergy. Customer relationships. Key partners.

Funding 57

Funding Startup Activity Customer 57

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2015

We lit our own KeyInfo fiber ring, which provides advanced connectivity services to Ventura and Los Angeles counties. You may have obstacles you were unprepared for, but these opportunities to learn and grow help you gain the experience and resiliency needed to run a successful company in a demanding industry.

San Fernando 100

San Fernando Ventura Southern California SoCalTech 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2017

Don’t wait for the harsh reality of the demanding business world to start thinking about these tradeoffs. You don’t want to take money from friends and family, but it’s too early for angel investors and VCs. Bootstrap if you can, otherwise climb the pyramid of family, friends, angels, and VCs. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 57

Entrepreneur USC Statistics Equity 57

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 10, 2011

Fueled by a drive to be self-made and complimentary pizza & beer, the room consisted of younger and older, budding entrepreneurs, track-proven overseers, and even a couple of angel investors. Follow the links for more information on Coloft and Los Angeles Lean Startup Circle. Another aspect of the evening that we really enjoyed.

Startup 86

Startup Santa Monica Los Angeles Custom Development 86

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2013

Don’t wait for the harsh reality of the demanding business world to start thinking about these tradeoffs. You don’t want to take money from friends and family, but it’s too early for Angel investors and VCs. Bootstrap if you can, otherwise climb the pyramid of family, friends, Angels, and VCs. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 98

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Equity 98

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Too many entrepreneurs develop a new product without regard to market demand, then build an entire strategy based on creating a need, rather than acting on an existing market need. Angel investors can’t help you, and most venture capitalists won’t be interested in contributing the first several million. These don’t get funded.

Technology 91

Technology Funding Competition Entrepreneur 91

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2010

Too many entrepreneurs develop a new product without regard to market demand, then build an entire strategy based on creating a need, rather than acting on an existing market need. Angel investors can’t help you, and most venture capitalists won’t be interested in contributing the first several million. These don’t get funded.

Funding 88

Funding Entrepreneur Competition Pricing 88

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2011

For those of us without angel investors, there are still plenty of reasons to move ahead with new ventures, and we are not alone: It's all you. You get the personal satisfaction of making something out of almost nothing. As your services gain demand, your time becomes more valuable and you can charge more.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92