Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2022

One of the quickest ways to become an entrepreneur these days is to develop and publish a smartphone app. I also recommend the app development strategies outlined in the classic book, “ Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World ,” by Robert Tercek, who has lived on the digital edge for many years.

Develop 138

Develop Development Platform Mobile 138

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 21, 2010

One of the investment themes I’ve been focused on in the past 3 years has been Performance-Based Marketing. When I started investing the US advertising market was $300 billion with only 10% of it ($30 billion) of it being online and measurable. But of course Google eventually became the massive winner in this category.

Advertising 284

Advertising Invest RSS CPC 284

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2015

Serious entrepreneurs know that, but too many “wannabes” still fall for that elusive get-rich-quick scheme with no risk. As an active Angel investor, I still hear entrepreneurs asserting large opportunities with minimal risk and no competition. You can grow organically, or stretch out with big capital investments for volume and reach.

Entrepreneur 103

Entrepreneur Startup Marketing Customer 103

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Richard recently published a new book, The Soul Of A Deal , talking about his experience with deal making and interviewing such others as J.J.Abrams, Deepak Chopra, Peter Guber, Reid Hoffman, Penn Jillette and many others on their own experiences. We caught up with Richard to learn more about the book and deal making.

Startup 147

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review 147

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2016

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. The return on character in business is well worth the investment. Marty Zwilling.

Mentor 55

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 55

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2023

When entrepreneurs introduce new products to the market, their passion and conviction often leads them to assume that every potential customer will see the immediate need and value, and will quickly adopt the solution. In these cases, you need testimonials, usage details, and return-on-investment examples.

Case Study 89

Case Study Customer Custom Study 89

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 31, 2017

Most entrepreneurs believe they are “different,” but they can’t quite understand how. The classic book, “ Hunting in a Farmer's World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur ,” by serial entrepreneur and business coach John F. All this made more sense to me as Dini defined the types of entrepreneurs into four categories.

Entrepreneur 54

Entrepreneur News Slides Startup 54

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2015

Most entrepreneurs believe they are “different,” but they can’t quite understand how. The classic book, “ Hunting in a Farmer's World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur ,” by serial entrepreneur and business coach John F. All this made more sense to me as Dini defined the types of entrepreneurs into four categories.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur News Slides Startup 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2014

Most entrepreneurs believe they are “different,” but they can’t quite understand how. A recent book, “ Hunting in a Farmer''s World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur ,” by serial entrepreneur and business coach John F. All this made more sense to me as Dini defined the types of entrepreneurs into four categories.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Startup News Slides 109

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2020

When entrepreneurs introduce new products to the market, their passion and conviction often leads them to assume that every potential customer will see the immediate need and value, and will quickly adopt the solution. In these cases, you need testimonials, usage details, and return-on-investment examples.

Case Study 174

Case Study Startup Customer Custom 174

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. business business plan entrepreneur investor technology' Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 119

Entrepreneur Technical Review Statistics Startup 119

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2013

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Most social media outlets don’t require a subscription charge, but they certainly require an investment – in people, in technology, your reputation, and your time. Pick the right platform for your business.

Social Media 101

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2015

By most definitions of the term, an entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business, incorporating innovative changes to existing products, services, business models, and creating new markets. One way of identifying the right characteristics and approaches is to take a hard look at entrepreneurs who have done it. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Resource Social Network SpaceX 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2014

By most definitions of the term, an entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business, incorporating innovative changes to existing products, services, business models, and creating new markets. One way of identifying the right characteristics and approaches is to take a hard look at entrepreneurs who have done it. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 114

Entrepreneur Resource Social Network SpaceX 114

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

As a frequent advisor to new entrepreneurs and startups, I often hear your frustration with being treated differently from other startups by investors, on expectations for valuation , traction, and market size. Now the emergence of autonomous and driverless vehicles fits into this nascent future potential category.

Marketing 174

Marketing Startup Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 174

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 18, 2022

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Both of these approaches are a waste of your time and theirs.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Startup Statistics Social Media 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2020

One of the quickest ways to become an entrepreneur these days is to develop and publish a smartphone app. I also recommend the app development strategies outlined in the classic book, “ Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World ,” by Robert Tercek, who has lived on the digital edge for many years.

Mobile 126

Mobile Develop Development Platform 126

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 25, 2017

By most definitions of the term, an entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business, incorporating innovative changes to existing products, services, business models, and creating new markets. One way of identifying the right characteristics and approaches is to take a hard look at entrepreneurs who have done it.

Entrepreneur 56

Entrepreneur Resource Social Network SpaceX 56

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 16, 2009

This is part of my new series on what makes an entrepreneur successful. I originally posted it on VentureHacks , one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs. I don’t think it takes book smart people to build great companies – sometimes it’s a hindrance. If you haven’t spent time over there you should.

Entrepreneur 306

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Customer 306

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

I’m super excited to announce that GRP Partners led the investment in Ethan Anderson’s new company MyTime (link has LA-based merchants but will give you a good feel for the product). We generally have a policy to only fund entrepreneurs once the first version of a product has shipped or it near to shipping.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 8, 2011

I have discussed in this series a number of books and games parents can share with their children which will cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. You must invest your ante at the start of each hand with no guarantee you will get it back. In business, such players are analogous to serial entrepreneurs.

Startup 207

Startup Entrepreneur Competition Guide 207

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

Most entrepreneurs believe they are “different,” but they can’t quite understand how. The classic book, “ Hunting in a Farmer's World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur ,” by serial entrepreneur and business coach John F. All this made more sense to me as Dini defined the types of entrepreneurs into four categories.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur News Slides Startup 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2012

Investors tell me that they invest in people, more than the idea. Branding guru Catherine Kaputa, in her latest book “ Breakthrough Branding ” says that branding is all about building a recognizable identity, and associating it with benefits and positive consequences. Dominate the category (even if you have to create a new one).

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Customer Custom 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 4, 2019

By most definitions of the term, an entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business, incorporating innovative changes to existing products, services, business models, and creating new markets. One way of identifying the right characteristics and approaches is to take a hard look at entrepreneurs who have done it.

Resource 97

Resource Entrepreneur Social Network SpaceX 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2011

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Most social media outlets don’t require a subscription charge, but they certainly require an investment – in people, in technology, your reputation, and your time. Pick the right platform for your business.

Social Media 93

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Platform 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2020

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. Investors invest in the jockey, more than the horse. Both of these approaches are a waste of your time and theirs.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Statistics Startup Social Media 124

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

She created and launched an overall brand and a swim collection , then came the book deal ( “This is Not a Fashion Story: Taking Chances, Breaking Rules, and Being a Boss in the Big City” is expected out May 2020). With new followers — today her account, @weworewhat , has 2.2 We are in phase three of the influencer economy.

Platform 170

Platform Marketing Tool Venture Capital 170

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

There were many moments in each space when pioneers were funding startups and the press hadn’t written much about them and if you were a typical investor you were still funding the last trend while some VCs were trailblazing into new categories. As I like to say, “We need to fight. Let’s just make sure we do it fairly.”

Funding 362

Funding Technical Review Ideas Startup 362

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2015

The most valuable assets of a new startup are the people on the team, and the most challenging task of the entrepreneur and team leaders is to spend their leadership time and energy productively. The authors define a leadership matrix of four behavioral categories and eight team member subtypes. Rising stars. Steamrollers.

Startup 104

Startup Entrepreneur Resource Guide 104

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2020

But there are some deals that will get funded even though not necessarily seed: If you’re in an anointed category that will serve a post Covid-19 world well. There are large sums of money to be invested and if investors can get comfortable with “downside protections” they’ll still write checks. A Recent Company I Invested In : Solve.

Venture Capital 263

Venture Capital Marketing Startup Writing 263

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2017

Serious entrepreneurs know that, but too many “wannabes” still fall for that elusive get-rich-quick scheme with no risk. As an active angel investor, I still hear entrepreneurs asserting large opportunities with minimal risk and no competition. You can grow organically, or stretch out with big capital investments for volume and reach.

Entrepreneur 68

Entrepreneur Marketing Customer Custom 68

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

I just finished a new book, “ Raise Capital on Your Own Terms: How to Fund Your Business Without Selling Your Soul ,” by Jenny Kassan, who has been in the business for over 20 years as an attorney and fund raiser. Document the investment types you are willing to consider. Also, it pays to be more creative with your investment offer.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Equity Capital Entrepreneur 88

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2014

Serious entrepreneurs know that, but too many “wannabes” still fall for that elusive dream of a get-rich-quick scheme with no risk. As an active Angel investor, I still hear entrepreneurs asserting large opportunities with minimal risk or no competition. There is no real business opportunity without risk. Operational. Find the balance.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Marketing Customer Custom 93

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2015

One of the quickest ways to become an entrepreneur these days is to develop and publish a smartphone app. I also recommend the app development strategies outlined in a new book, “ Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World ,” by Robert Tercek, who has lived on the digital edge for many years.

Startup 98

Startup Platform Pricing Netflix 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2018

The most valuable assets of a new startup are the people on the team, and the most challenging task of the entrepreneur and team leaders is to spend their leadership time and energy productively. The authors define a leadership matrix of four behavioral categories and eight team member subtypes. Rising stars. Steamrollers.

Resource 51

Resource Entrepreneur Startup Guide 51

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2017

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Most social media outlets don’t require a subscription charge, but they certainly always require an investment, sometimes large, in people, in technology, your reputation, and your time. Marty Zwilling.

Social Media 66

Social Media Media Tips Platform 66

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2016

The most valuable assets of a new startup are the people on the team, and the most challenging task of the entrepreneur and team leaders is to spend their leadership time and energy productively. The authors define a leadership matrix of four behavioral categories and eight team member subtypes. Rising stars. Steamrollers.

Entrepreneur 57

Entrepreneur Startup Resource Guide 57