Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

The realm of an entrepreneur is all about change, but in my experience as a mentor to business founders, I hear too much about incremental change, and not enough about revolutionary change. Great entrepreneurs cross industry boundaries to find synergies, and are constantly in learn mode on several fronts.

Entrepreneur 103

Entrepreneur Social Media Artificial Inteligence Examples 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2014

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere. On the average, the entrepreneurs I know are living on Ramen noodles. I’m not talking about academic classes, because at best these only teach you how to learn. Read entrepreneur stories. Adopt a mentor.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2021

Career survival today requires thinking and acting like an entrepreneur starting a business, staying nimble and resilient, willing to pivot, and supersensitive to the market realities of supply and demand. Build and use your network. World-class professionals don’t try to take on the world alone. Pursue breakout opportunities.

Startup 143

Startup Entrepreneur Demand Competition 143

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2019

The successful entrepreneurs I have met and worked with over the years all seem to share that passion for learning, and they see rapid market change not as a problem, but as an opportunity for them to move ahead of the crowd in changing the world. Successful entrepreneurs love to share, but they respond better to pull rather than push.

Tips 122

Tips Startup Case Study Course 122

Jason Nazar

JANUARY 1, 2016

I never bought books, rarely went to class, and hardly studied for exams. But I did spent those four years starting businesses and courting many mentors to help me along the way. Instead of studying for my classes, I’d set up new meet & greet meetings with successful alums. Machiavelli vs. Mother Teresa: Choosing a Mentor.

Mentor 41

Mentor Startup Class Study 41

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2022

One alternative is to become an entrepreneur. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to get satisfaction from this lifestyle. In fact, Mehta focuses on a special class of entrepreneurs that he calls disruptors. Be prepared to experiment. Build the courage to “think different.”

Satisfaction 153

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing Startup 153

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere. On the average, the entrepreneurs I know are living on Ramen noodles. I’m not talking about academic classes, because at best these only teach you how to learn. Read entrepreneur stories. Adopt a mentor.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 93

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. It was really just something built for the community to help support entrepreneurs.

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Class Mentor Startup Santa Monica 261

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

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. Online or evening entrepreneurship classes for anyone. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

She actually IS the prototypical entrepreneur. But Tracy did what entrepreneurs do. Sam is the managing director of Launchpad LA and we were about to pick our 2012 class of entrepreneurs. In the first 5 minutes you’ll realize that she’s a classic entrepreneur. More on that later. That may soon change.

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Startup Entrepreneur SEO Venture Capital 363

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 18, 2013

A traffic jam of expensive cars lined up to pull into the packed parking lot of MuckerLab for its second graduating class demo day. Tech Coast Angel investor Dale Okuno came out because he believes that MuckerLab attracts better talent because they keep their class size small and focused. And build great business they have.

Class 100

Class Startup Tech Coast Angels CTO Coach 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2010

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere. On the average, the entrepreneurs I know are broke. I’m not talking about academic classes, because at best these only teach you how to learn. These include the following: Networking with people who know.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 96

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2014

One obvious alternative is to become an entrepreneur. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. In fact, Mehta focuses on a special class of entrepreneurs that he calls disruptors. Be prepared to experiment.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Startup Writing 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. Growth stage investments from VCs are usually $5 million and up.

Funding 125

Funding Startup Ideas Equity 125

socalTECH

OCTOBER 24, 2011

One of the biggest complaints you hear from both entrepreneurs and investors in Los Angeles, is the lack of a credible, visible startup accelerator in the Los Angeles area. We caught up with Erik to hear more about MuckerLab, and its efforts to grow the Los Angeles technology ecosystem. It's a very similar model to YCombinator and TechStars.

Technical Advisors 176

Technical Advisors Startup Southern California Los Angeles 176

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Visible networking is turning into a really great opportunity to get to know people better, get to meet new people, and have some interesting conversations. He has a really interesting background as a product manager and now an entrepreneur. This time I'm getting to know Mark Geller ( LinkedIn , @markgeller ). It sounds interesting.

Product 150

Product Entrepreneur Social Media Google 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2015

The successful entrepreneurs I have met and worked with over the years all seem to share that passion for learning, and they see rapid market change not as a problem, but as an opportunity for them to move ahead of the crowd in changing the world. Successful entrepreneurs love to share, but they respond better to pull rather than push.

Startup 103

Startup Case Study Entrepreneur Class 103

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2010

Main Street Venture Fund LLC, an angel fund of about 25 private investors, was formed by Ruffolo Benson LLC in northeast Indiana with the intention of bringing together area entrepreneurs and private investors to create economic value for the region. Tags: angel investor entrepreneur process trophy business. Business wisdom.

Entrepreneur 83

Entrepreneur Mentor Invest Angel 83

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere. On the average, the entrepreneurs I know are struggling. I’m not talking about academic classes, because at best these only teach you how to learn. These include the following: Networking with people who know.

Startup 103

Startup Mentor Case Study Course 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. Growth stage investments from VCs are usually $5 million and up.

Startup 148

Startup Ideas Equity Invest 148

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2015

I previously wrote about LaunchTN’s second-phase master accelerator class called The TENN, which has a proven track record of helping startups thrive after graduation from an accelerator. Savvy entrepreneurs - seek out programs which incorporate these post-graduation activities. Convert Graduate-Founders Into Mentors.

Startup 100

Startup Class LAMP Santa Barbara 100

socalTECH

OCTOBER 27, 2011

K5Launch (www.k5launch.com) is modeled after the successful Y-Combinator and TechStars acceleration programs, and invests equity, provides mentors, and runs a three month program to get very early stage startups off the ground. However, the main benefit is the one-on-one assistance of entrepreneurs, and access to capital.

Orange County 192

Orange County Southern California Startup Class 192

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

They de-risk hardware companies by focusing on the team, the technology, the market, and the manufacturing with their in-house experts as well as their global network. Perks include office space, prototype lab, production facilities, mentoring, and investments up to $150,000 in the first 4 months. Industrial designer in residence.

Startup 40

Startup Invest Chatsworth Mentor 40

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 23, 2013

The fitness professional network develops business tools that make it easier for fitness professionals to run their businesses and keep their clients engaged between training sessions. Sergey’s diverse experience as an entrepreneur, technology consultant and software executive qualifies him to lead amSTATZ’s technology development.

Social Network 92

Social Network Networking Training Summary 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2013

Career survival today requires thinking and acting like an entrepreneur starting a business, staying nimble and resilient, willing to pivot, and supersensitive to the market realities of supply and demand. Build and use your network. World-class professionals don’t try to take on the world alone. Pursue breakout opportunities.

Startup 106

Startup Entrepreneur Demand Competition 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2017

As an active business advisor and angel investor, I’m convinced that we are rapidly entering a new age of the entrepreneur, and those who are best prepared will be the first to reap some big rewards. I continue to see stories of really young entrepreneurs, and I just met a really impressive one, Neva Lee Recla, at a recent Fast Inc.

Coach 80

Coach Entrepreneur Ideas Class 80

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2014

Many startups now go through accelerators and have mentors passing through each day with advice – usually it’s conflicting. There are bootcamps, startup classes, video interviews – the sources are now endless. How to network better ? Everybody has a blog these days and there is much advice to be had.

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Startup Framework CTO Coach Sales 407

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2010

More importantly, as a parent or mentor, what should you advise young potential entrepreneurs about getting an MBA? In some recent surveys, as many as two-thirds of entrepreneurs felt that their entrepreneurial spirit was more ingrained than learned, so maybe the education level is irrelevant. Consider it a waste of time.

Entrepreneur 60

Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Education Social Network 60

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Career survival today requires thinking and acting like an entrepreneur starting a business, staying nimble and resilient, willing to pivot, and supersensitive to the market realities of supply and demand. Build and use your network. World-class professionals don’t try to take on the world alone. Pursue breakout opportunities.

Startup 108

Startup Entrepreneur Demand Competition 108

socalTECH

APRIL 13, 2021

They are always overlapping, so in essence, we have a freshman and senior class, so teams can collaborate, and get the benefit of the peers before them. Those companies tend to be around for longer than one year, because of course our faculty are not working on those things full time, they're continuing to teach classes.

Marina Del Rey 150

Marina Del Rey Startup USC Incubator 150

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 21, 2011

Excited to announce MuckerLab , a new startup accelerator and member of the TechStars Network, launched today in L.A. Much like the model employed by TechStars and Y-Combinator, MuckerLab will recruit Internet software, services, and media entrepreneurs through an open, but selective, application process.

Los Angeles 58

Los Angeles Rustic Canyon Incubator Angel 58

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2013

Despite a growing technology industry here in Southern California, local investors and entrepreneurs tell us there''s still a shortage of local, venture capital. We have a lot of world class universities here. What''s the best way for entrepreneurs to approach you? Any advice you would give entrepreneurs?

Invest 159

Invest Technology Startup Venture Capital 159

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2014

and I thought if we brought the community together for common purpose we could create more of a sense of community to help new entrepreneurs get funded, assemble teams, raise profiles and help with biz dev, product, etc. But the smart money is in the audience just to network with their peers and maybe to get a sense of the latest trends.

Venture Capital 290

Venture Capital Startup Idealab Funding 290

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2015

One obvious alternative is to become an entrepreneur. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. In fact, Mehta focuses on a special class of entrepreneurs that he calls disruptors. Be prepared to experiment.

Satisfaction 57

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing Startup 57

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2018

Every business executive and entrepreneur I know believes they are good or even great leaders, but as an advisor I often hear a different story from their team. This may seem counter-intuitive to many managers who fear losing their best employees, since managers never seem to have time to focus on recruiting and mentoring new talent.

Mentor 52

Mentor IBM IBM Examples 52

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Every entrepreneur at some point has probably felt like this and asked themselves the question: “now what?” Well, perhaps it’s time to consider an incubator/accelerator program: Programs like Silicon Valleys’ Y Combinator which essentially put entrepreneurs through a 3+ month startup boot camp.

Incubator 107

Incubator Startup Mentor Entrepreneur 107

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2018

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. Growth stage investments from VCs are usually $5 million and up.

Startup 73

Startup Ideas Equity Invest 73