Startup Professionals Musings
JANUARY 30, 2023
In my own experience with technical startup founders, I still find it hard to name one who was also good, or even interested in financials or business operations. A mistake often made by new business owners due to the unfamiliar new workload is to ignore and lose existing relationships with outside advisors as well as team members.
SoCal CTO
MARCH 4, 2010
I’ve worked with 30+ early-stage companies in all sorts of capacities (and spoken to many, many more), so I thought it might be worthwhile trying to classify the various ways that I’ve engaged in different technology roles in startups. It depends on the business, people, technologies, etc. Each situation is just a bit different.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
SoCal CTO
DECEMBER 1, 2007
My role is to work as part of the team to (1) understand related technologies and technical opportunities, (2) understand and help drive alignment around a vision of where the business should go, and (3) mesh those together to help make disciplined, proactive technical decisions. Then, we come to an agreement on terms.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 21, 2020
Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. Consistently review and respond to relevant online feedback. Anticipate and establish supporting social media accounts.
socalTECH
AUGUST 28, 2017
Unlike Yelp and listings sites that are focused on user-generated reviews or things like that, we're really a portfolio sharing site, and a tool of professionals. He and I connected, and walked through PartySlate and what we were doing, and he immediately said he wanted to invest and become an advisor to the company.
Both Sides of the Table
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
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.” He or she has worked at some very successful big technology or media companies and went to a great school.
Both Sides of the Table
FEBRUARY 25, 2010
We moved into the legal process and final due diligence in January and February of 2000. Morgan Stanley then funded one of our competitors. Had I delayed my fund raising in 99/00 by even 3-4 weeks I’m convinced I would not have raised any money at all. I offered a second time to fund and even increased price a little bit.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
149 
Let's personalize your content