Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2023

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.

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Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2021

As an angel investor in early-stage startups, I’ve long noticed my peers apparent bias toward the strength and character of the founding entrepreneurs, often overriding a strong solution to a painful problem with a big opportunity. Demonstrate the ideas and behaviors of self-determination.

Entrepreneur 165

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Invest 165

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

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 101

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2021

Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for customers that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Negative advice on an unknown is easy and safe to give, so every entrepreneur hears it over and over. Listen and act on the ideas of others around you.

Entrepreneur 167

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Customer 167

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2022

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. They are not interested in research and development, or funding at the idea stage.

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Entrepreneur Invest Funding Patents 108

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2021

An entrepreneur lifestyle that continues to gain in popularity these days is being a “social entrepreneur.” Whether the objective is to generate profits or social capital, the common element for all entrepreneurs is the recognition that there is a problem which needs solving, or there is an opportunity to improve the status quo.

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Entrepreneur Funding Invest Activity 138

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Get help with grant funding and incubator resources.

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Entrepreneur Class Startup Resource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. But many have no insight or connections to the ethereal angel investment community, which In the U.S. Angels prefer strong teams to big ideas.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2022

With the cost of entry at an all-time low, and the odds of success equally low, more and more entrepreneurs are starting multiple companies concurrently. Other prolific entrepreneurs, like Richard Branson and Elon Musk , simply have several startups on the table at any given moment. Many entrepreneurs love investing in other startups.

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Entrepreneur Startup Resource Course 145

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. Investors and strategic partners look for entrepreneurs who can execute.

Entrepreneur 70

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2020

As a long-time advisor to entrepreneurs, and a former angel myself, I still find startups confused about the definition of an angel investor, and how and when to attract one. Here are some key points to consider in finding one for you: Look for accredited angels and groups rather than individuals.

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Angel Invest Ideas Entrepreneur 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2020

As I was watching the investor show, Shark Tank , on TV the other night, I was struck by how quickly and how extensively the sharks focused on the background and character of the entrepreneurs, compared to time spent evaluating their products. Today’s world of business is highly driven by social issues and environmental concerns.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

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

JANUARY 20, 2020

Even if you ignore all the hype around crowdfunding, there can be no doubt that it is a real alternative for entrepreneurs to achieve visibility and funding today. are not for crowdfunding, but actually are matchmaking sites between entrepreneurs and professional investors or banks, or incubators. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Outsource Development Satisfaction Equity 129

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. I’m now convinced that serious entrepreneurs relish the startup process more than success.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Tech.Co

OCTOBER 14, 2016

“This FREE course introduces the fundamentals of technology entrepreneurship, pioneered in Silicon Valley and now a large and growing part of the Los Angeles economy. You will learn the process technology entrepreneurs use to start companies.

Los Angeles 70

Los Angeles Entrepreneur Angel Startup 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. For aspiring entrepreneurs, or if your last startup failed, it’s all about standing out above the crowd of others like you, and demonstrating your readiness.

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Entrepreneur Tips Funding Startup 156

SoCal Tech Calendar

MAY 14, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010 -- Tech Coast Angels Mixer Angel/Entrepreneur Meetup. LA Angel Investors Looking for Great Entrepreneurs to Fund If you are an entrepreneur with a new business or idea and want to talk to angel investors, dont miss the Tech Coast Angels LA Angel/Entrepreneur Mixer.

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Tech Coast Angels Angel Entrepreneur Ideas 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2020

Too many entrepreneurs tell me they are looking for an investor, and can’t differentiate between venture capital (VC) investors versus accredited angel investors. The amounts from angels start as low as $25K, while minimum venture capital amounts usually start in the $2M range. Let’s consider some basic definitions.

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Venture Capital Entrepreneur Startup Invest 125

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 30, 2017

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 -- FundingPost Los Angeles VC and Angel Investor Conference. Join us for this intimate VC and Angel Investor Conference. At our OC Angel Investor Roundtable, the panel of investors will focus on pitching to early-stage investors, and what it really takes to get them to write you a check!

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Los Angeles Venture Capital Conference Angel 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2014

Too many entrepreneurs tell me they are looking for an investor, and can’t differentiate between venture capital (VC) investors versus accredited Angel investors. The amounts from Angels start as low as $25K, while minimum venture capital amounts usually start in the $2M range. Let’s consider some basic definitions.

Venture Capital 106

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Angel Startup 106

Berkonomics

JUNE 26, 2014

Angel investors, particularly those in organized angel groups, are typically former entrepreneurs who have had successful liquidity events in their pasts, or executives of companies who’ve retired with the funds from their stock options. So how an angel responds to your pitch depends upon his or her background.

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Angel Technical Review Coach Entrepreneur 191

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Friday, December 2, 2011 -- Maverick Angels Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs. Do you have a great business idea but are struggling to raise investment capital in current economic climate?

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Angel Ideas Invest 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MAY 18, 2017

Saturday, May 20, 2017 -- POSiBLE LA Entrepreneur Summit. POSiBLE LA Entrepreneur Summit, a one-day event to empower aspiring business owners to build their ideas and grow their companies. Univision Los Angeles, Wells Fargo Bank and The Adelante Movement presented by Coca-Cola. and Tina Aldatz, CEO of Savvy Travelers.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Los Angeles Ideas Networking 100

socalTECH

JUNE 29, 2016

A new effort, led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and headed up by startup evangelist Krisztina 'Z' Holly, is looking to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and manufacturers in LA. s economy and create good-paying jobs. READ MORE>>.

Entrepreneur 145

Entrepreneur USC Los Angeles Study 145

SoCal Tech Calendar

MAY 27, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011 -- Maverick Angels Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs. Do you have a great business idea but are not quite ready to present to angel investors? See [link] (more)

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Angel Ideas 100

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

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 -- Funding the Big Idea! TriTechs 3rd annual funding conference where businesses and entrepreneurs interact with investors and also get a chance to look into the mind of investors in order to find out what it takes to become investor ready. See [link].

Ideas 124

Ideas Funding Conference Equity 124

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

SoCal Tech Calendar

JULY 2, 2010

Thursday, July 8, 2010 -- Maverick Angels Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs. Do you have a great business idea but are not quite ready to present to angel investors? Many entrepreneurs have promising business plans, but are not skilled in how to present their ideas to investors. See [link] (more).

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Angel Training Ideas 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 6, 2020

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” I want to tell them to just start anywhere, but I realize that most have no idea where anywhere is. They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 137

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Education 137

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2013

Can tapping the power of the crowd not only help you find customers and help fund your project, but also help you shape your startup idea and find funding? A new, Los Angeles area startup, JumpStartFund (www.jumpstartfund.com) recently launched, offering up a combination of crowdfunding and crowd-advice for entrepreneurial ideas.

Ideas 178

Ideas Patents Funding Startup 178

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

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.

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Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

(In case it’s not obvious it’s a play on the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.&# ) I believe that being successful as an entrepreneur requires you to get lots of things done. Entrepreneurs make fast decisions and move forward knowing that at best 70% of their decisions are going to be right. This paralyzes most people.

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

socalTECH

DECEMBER 12, 2012

What's the best way to encourage development of the technology industry in Los Angeles? The idea, according to the LACMII, is to use city-owned parcels to create community spaces and working environments to enable startups and businesses in those areas, using "tech-friendly amenties" to attract starutps to those locations.

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Los Angeles Technology Culver City Angel 242

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 16, 2020

Both Nguyen and Lim are serial entrepreneurs. Based in Los Angeles, Bümo had already managed to lock in a $2.4 and infection rates were rising in Los Angeles, the two founders realized that the cash they’d raised to open their first site at a Westfield mall in LA wouldn’t happen.

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