SoCal CTO

MARCH 9, 2010

In my post, Technology Roles in Startups , I described some of the different ways I engage with startup companies such as CTO Founder , CTO , Part-Time CTO , Acting CTO , Consultant, Advisor and Advisory Board Member. Now, most often technical advisors are part of a broader advisory board. In Why assemble an advisory board?

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Technical Review Technology CTO Hire 150

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

And yet, such relationships properly used and never overused, can quickly and precisely help you cut through delays in government agencies, speed the process of product planning and ultimate release, aid in positioning in the market and help you avoid a myriad of mistakes that could prove costly in time and money.

Class 194

Class Organization Technical Review Activity 194

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

Most technology startups seem to be funded by product people or business people. They are the lifeblood of many companies yet they are different than the traditional technology startup DNA so the ways that you hire, motivate, compensate and assess performance of these individuals will be different. Of course that’s not true.

Sales 382

Sales Help Startup Pricing 382

Tech.Co

APRIL 26, 2019

Nearly 17 percent of tech workers admit to being under the influence of marijuana while at work at some point in their careers, according to a new study. The stats come from CBD publication Remedy Review , which surveyed 1,000 workers across the nation to learn more about how the modern employee incorporates marijuana into their working life.

Study 120

Study Technical Review Class Education 120

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 5, 2014

The press around the raise & company was fantastic and the promise of their technology – wireless charging that works as easily as WiFi – would positively affect many of our lives. uBeam’s tech does work and I have safely seen it demo’d in the real life many times. Of course the naysayers are out again.

Technical Review 417

Technical Review Startup Software Review Course 417

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 17, 2013

We will have to build (or buy) technology in this area.” The thing is … what I see many sales execs do is burn up countless hours on mid-level campaigns that get torpedoed when the go up the organization due to lack of budget, a desire to own that core IP or other more pressing organization priorities.

Sales 375

Sales Technical Review Organization Case Study 375

TechCrunch LA

JANUARY 11, 2021

Healthvana , a health tech startup that began with a specific focus on providing patient information digitally for individuals living with HIV, is helping Los Angeles County roll out mobile vaccination records for COVID-19 using Apple’s Wallet technology. “We look and feel like Instagram.

Technical Review 201

Technical Review Software Review Startup Los Angeles 201

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 26, 2020

and of course a relentless pursuit of helping founders succeed. She took an operating role helping run Citysearch and Urbanspoon. On paper she’s more qualified than Yves or myself so with that out of the way can we now just focus on her skills and how you help me recruit her?” So What Does All This Mean?

Venture Capital 361

Venture Capital Startup Invest CitySearch 361

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 25, 2021

Partially due to the pandemic, but also due to longer, healthier lives and changes in job tenure, Boomers are now expected to stay in the labor force longer, and according to projections , could actually dominate the labor market by 2024. In terms of job creation, innovation, and productivity, entrepreneurs drive growth.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Technical Support Entrepreneur Startup 126

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 1, 2011

So I’m drawn to UGC reviews. I started reading the comments of reviewers. And of course I know that some 25 year-olds are thinking that they’d rather stay in somewhere more hip, more alive at night & probably a bit cheaper. Help me cut through the clutter. But, oy, is it serious effort. No, seriously.

Help 309

Help Santa Barbara Technical Review Orange County 309

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 12, 2010

I suppose there’s some truth to that but of course it’s an over simplification. And if I’m going to help a bit while I’m here the better I know ‘what’s what’ the easier it will be for me to help and be on my way.&#. until the technology matures?&#. You really know your town.

Help 288

Help Startup Venture Capital Framework 288

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

We thought today for our interview, that we'd get an update on the angel investment environment here in Southern California from Scott Sangster , the incoming President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Tech Coast Angels , the biggest angel investment group in Southern California. Of course not.

Tech Coast Angels 182

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 182

Tech.Co

MAY 22, 2018

Truth be told, your only path to some serious funding is perseverance and diligence in getting meetings and being prepared. To help you crush your next investor meeting, we asked top VCs and tech leaders to share their best pitch advice. Your attitude should always be: I am here to tell you a story, serve you and help you. ”.

Tips 70

Tips Help Slides Technical Review 70

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2013

As the end of the year approaches, it’s a good time for every startup to assess the metrics, technology, and platforms they’re using to manage the business. Of course, everyone is happy when the numbers keep going up, but the data needs to be mined constantly for deeper meanings and trends. Variable cost percentage.

Metrics 100

Metrics Technical Review Sales Customer 100

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies. Rather they should get a part-time Acting CTO who can help close the gap. Of course, I have an advantage because I organize the LA CTO Forum. What are the biggest areas of technical risk?

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

Of course you could start your own company. Of course I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t start a company. For some aspiring to be tech entrepreneurs, I often suggest a two-step process, as I argued in this post that “ The First Startup Founder You Need to Invest in Is You.”

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 150

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Of course, it still pays to consider the impact of cultural norms and languages, as well as time zones, particularly in areas that present your image to customers, such as customer service. Direct customer-facing non-technical roles should be the last ones outsourced. The terms are clear, and there is no entitlement to deal with.

Outsource 123

Outsource Startup Technical Review Training 123

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

He has spent many years coaching and consulting with over 200 organizations, and he has helped me articulate the benefits of delegation, and better understand some of the key barriers. Even if you can learn and do everything, time is a killer in this rapidly evolving world of business and technology. You need to divide and conquer.

Technical Review 96

Technical Review Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 96

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Every tech or major news journal in the country is preparing to write their Snap, Inc (creators of Snapchat, Spectacles, etc) stories and many of them seem to want a “How does it feel to have missed this investment story.” Of course that was a wrong narrative for both companies. Mostly kidding. Another firm funded them.

Snapchat 214

Snapchat Invest Technical Review Dollar Shave Club 214

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. Generally I can provide quite a bit of help in that brief time. And I try my best to point them to resources that can help them longer term.

CTO Hire 264

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 264

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. Generally I can provide quite a bit of help in that brief time. And I try my best to point them to resources that can help them longer term.

CTO Hire 259

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 259

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

On the other hand, if you are into solar technologies, there is probably an advantage to being in Arizona or a similar location. You need to move to right location and get connected before you ask for help. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Are you sure you can’t move?

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Oracle Software Review Ideas 123

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 6, 2013

It’s a great one about entrepreneurship, friendship and the collaborative economy that is helping families in need across the world. They can read reviews, see pictures and even talk to the family before confirming. I then clicked on reviews, looked at pictures and read the owners descriptions of what they were looking for.

Venture Capital 344

Venture Capital Technical Review Software Review San Diego 344

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 31, 2021

The sweeping infrastructure package put forward today by President Joe Biden comes with a price tag of roughly $2 trillion (and hefty tax hikes) but gives startups and the broader tech industry about $1 trillion worth of reasons to support it. ” Climate resiliency . Given the steady drumbeat of climate disasters that hit the U.S.

Startup 229

Startup Technical Review Invest Research 229

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death: Accumulate some resources before you start. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. It always reduces risk to plan your business first. Set expectations accordingly.

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Even worse, when they figure out that they really need help, the first place they look is for an intern or untrained helpers. They don’t realize that these only increase their workload, due to training and management, rather than offloading real work. Find a partner who has dealt with the realities of technology, tools, and financing.

Help 66

Help Startup Course Technical Review 66

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

AngelList 101 : As you know, AngelList is a platform where angels can invest in semi-screened tech deals. It should help some entrepreneurs to better access early-stage capital and should allow some angel investors better access to deal flow. Social proof can be helpful. They will have to help get the next round done.

Venture Capital 356

Venture Capital Invest Course Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2022

Of course, how you do this effectively is critical. Technical skills are important, but your ability to build and nurture relationships with others is more important for leadership growth and career advancement today. Help people, and they will help you. Your first priority should always be to sell yourself.

Tips 121

Tips Social Media Mentor Technical Review 121

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Many times they also pick up product and tech, too. Often times you find the CEO who really just likes to do product or tech. Similarly I talk to CEOs who can’t do a sales pipeline review with me. I once did due diligence on a potential investment where the CEO was projecting $9 million in sales for his next 12 months.

Startup 325

Startup Technical Review Sales Report 325

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2019

Partially due to the economy, but also due to longer, healthier lives and changes in job tenure, Boomers are now expected to stay in the labor force longer, and according to a USNews article, will likely dominate the labor market by 2024. In terms of job creation, innovation, and productivity, entrepreneurs drive growth.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Technical Support Entrepreneur 119

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2023

When I dig deeper, I find that many of you are easily excited by a great new idea, but fail to diligently follow a validation process to test the limits of your thinking, before proceeding to rollout. Start with a real problem, rather than a technology or solution looking for a problem.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Ideas Study Social Media 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2020

Saving cost won’t help you if you can’t make the daily innovations required to stay competitive. Leading edge technology software and manufacturing require constant course corrections and iterative restarts. If your software or your manufacturing process is your “secret sauce,” you need to keep the work in-house.

Outsource Development 122

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Technical Review 122

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

Some analysis and due diligence along the following lines should be performed on every idea, as a reality check, before committing your efforts and other people’s money to building a business: Look for places where competitors are few. Of course, existing patents don’t stop you from innovating, but charging ahead into a wall is no fun.

Ideas 83

Ideas Technical Review Patents Startup 83

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

Of course, it could be your level of experience, or the quality of your team, but the difference is often more related to the lifecycle stage of the market you are trying to enter. Everyone knew these had potential, but had not demonstrated success to date due to infrastructure and support requirements, or cost constraints.

Marketing 174

Marketing Startup Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 174

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

Over the course of the first few months I saw a few people out on the street taking Birds and then a steady uptick in riders. Capital of course drives scale advantages and when you have “winner take most” markets it also has a way of scaring away some investors from investing in the 3–5th “me too” competitors. There is nothing viral!

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 16, 2014

The “span of control” for a growing tech startup is probably 6-9 people. You help them prioritize their objectives and review the results. You course correct. Marketing of course often feels the opposite. They review competitors offerings and analyst reports. You set direction.

Entrepreneur 385

Entrepreneur CTO Hire Startup Sales 385

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 4, 2014

I think as a tech industry we have bred a culture that places more emphasis on product excellence than managing human behavior. Of course it makes no sense to have great people management and a crappy product. When they started their company of course they had to pick one to be CEO and the other to have a different title.

Startup 340

Startup Technical Review Course Press 340