Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2022

After many years working in business and investing in startups, I’m convinced that the primary reason for new business and career failures is NOT a lack of skill or money, but people giving up too quickly on their dreams and goals. He went on to start many successful companies, including General Electric.

Startup 122

Startup Satisfaction Summary Coach 122

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2012

I recently read Brad Feld’s thought provoking piece encouraging founders to sit on the board of another startup company. I found it thought provoking because I’ve always believed startup founders need extreme focus on only their company to succeed. But for now, the summary is: You’ll extend your network. .

Startup 294

Startup Carson Summary Press 294

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Every business relationship, peer-to-peer, or inside to outside, starts as an introduction and formal recognition of roles. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. That’s why investors say they invest in people, not ideas.

Mentor 91

Mentor Competition Summary Coach 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 9, 2023

For example, if you are an entrepreneur seeking investment or a cofounder, there is no substitute for networking at industry and startup conferences in your area. People who show fear or trepidation find it hard to get the respect and trust they need to hold up their side of any relationship.

Networking 104

Networking Mentor Conference Summary 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Every business relationship, peer-to-peer, or inside to outside, starts as an introduction and formal recognition of roles. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. That’s why investors say they invest in people, not ideas.

Mentor 135

Mentor Competition Summary Coach 135

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

With the current volatile economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. Is your startup really ready to play in the corporate world? A classic survey from a while back sets the burden at up to $2.5M

Funding 104

Funding Summary Entrepreneur Acquisition 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2019

Perhaps sparked by the now forgotten recession, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. Don’t let it make your startup dysfunctional in resolving future challenges.

Mentor 85

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Summary 85

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

Or, as always, summary notes available below. Huge thank you to Steve De Long for the write up. How did you start blogging? “My In 2004 / 2005 I was starting to get intrigued with user-generated content. was starting. But, in fact, I would rather have an executive summary than a pitch deck. Brad on blogging.

Venture Capital 288

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Software Review 288

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

I admit that I haven’t yet read it but I’ve had numerous discussions with Brad over the years about board structure & conduct and consider him a mentor on the topic. When you first start your company and raise initial venture capital your board probably consists of 1-3 founders and 1-2 VCs. As You Start to Mature.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2019

With the current strong economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. Is your startup really ready to play in the corporate world? A survey from a while back sets the burden at up to $2.5M Yet reverse mergers are not all bad.

Summary 121

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 121

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2014

My good friend Adam Lilling and I started Launchpad more than 5 years ago . I had witnessed a number of early-stage tech startups in LA raise seed capital from the Bay Area and relocate. By 2011 the market had started to change dramatically. Adam had a full time startup and then was doing consulting (he later raised a VC fund).

Venture Capital 290

Venture Capital Startup Idealab Funding 290

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2013

Every business relationship, peer-to-peer, or inside to outside, starts as an introduction and formal recognition of roles. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. That’s why investors say they invest in people, not ideas.

Startup 99

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Competition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2016

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Draw up a list of the best prospects, and put together your best story for follow-up. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Startup 61

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Funding 61

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2014

With the uptick in the economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. Is your startup really ready to play in the corporate world? Experts estimate the burden of public companies at up to $1M a year.

Funding 98

Funding Startup Entrepreneur Summary 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2014

Here is a summary of recommendations from both of us, based on my own business mentoring insights: Re-launch using your enhanced core competency. Use that same technical and business expertise that served you well on this startup to find the next opportunity. Find mentors who have the skills you lack. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Summary 105

SoCal Delicious

JANUARY 9, 2014

No clear vision or purpose This should be the starting point for any startup founder, but it’s often overlooked. The money will end up following you.” Tony Hsieh Without a clear purpose, a startup can meander along without much momentum. Chase the vision not the money. By focusing on the ‘why?’

Startup 78

Startup Design Customer Custom 78

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2018

With the current strong economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. Is your startup really ready to play in the corporate world? These looming constraints can turn your startup dream into a nightmare, all to increase funding.

Summary 79

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 79

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2015

With the uptick in the economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. Is your startup really ready to play in the corporate world? Experts estimate the burden of public companies at up to $1M a year.

Funding 102

Funding Summary Startup Entrepreneur 102

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

Most top tier VCs return about 3x invested capital and outlier funds (the best of a vintage) might return 6-8x. But Mark, many of the great firms are $500 million and up! But the larger funds usually have lower returns because they are often investing bigger dollars at later stages with less risk and therefore lower returns.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 23, 2013

TechZulu caught up with Michael Piermont, amSTATZ Chief Executive Officer and this is what he revealed. No summary of what we did, no easy way for me to recommend my trainer to my friends, and no way for me to easily book the next appointment. This is the first time each of the founders have started an enterprise.

Social Network 92

Social Network Networking Training Summary 92

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2010

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. I recommend that every early-stage startup find three Advisory Board members. Once your company is past the startup stage, you do need a board of directors. Marty Zwilling.

Invest 50

Invest Technical Review Software Review High Tech 50

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2016

Every business relationship, peer-to-peer, or inside to outside, starts as an introduction and formal recognition of roles. Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. That’s why investors say they invest in people, not ideas.

Mentor 70

Mentor Competition Entrepreneur Summary 70

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2017

I was mentoring some graduate students at a local university recently, and I sensed again that profit seems to be a dirty word these days to many aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s naïve to think you can sell below costs, and make it up by attracting more customers. Facebook spent $150 million getting started.

Pricing 66

Pricing Customer Custom Advertising 66

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 8, 2014

I have never been more optimistic about the impact that the tech startup community is having on cities in America or about the role that cities outside of San Francisco / Silicon Valley can play in our future. Changes in the Startup Ecosystem. Open source computing, which reduced costs to start a company by 90%. And on and on.

Startup 390

Startup Venture Capital Capital Funding 390

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 10, 2010

An entrepreneur recently sent me an @ reply message on Twitter asking for some help with a decision coming up in his business. It brought up a broader point for me, though. If I AM an investor, mentor, friend or advisor I accept the email being longer. Tags: Startup Advice. I don’t mind. Most of us want to help.

Help 332

Help Email Mentor Blogging 332

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2022

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Startup 120

Startup Invest Equity Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Invest 89

Invest Entrepreneur Startup Equity 89

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Startup 87

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 87

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. You can’t win a race that you never start.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Invest 73

Invest Startup Equity Incubator 73

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

I have developed a Non-Profit and a For-Profit HealthCare and Home Care Agency, and I have an Executive Summary and Business Plan. I am looking for funding of $50K in startup funds, and would like to partner with the right investor to provide this and other future funding as needed. He has a Masters in his education field.

Entrepreneur 75

Entrepreneur Education Equity IP 75

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Incubator 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Startup 91

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 91

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 14, 2015

I don’t know Ezra yet but since he’s taking the time to blog (which I hugesly respect) and share thoughts I thought I’d take him up on his challenge and also spill the beans on my secrets. Many start – I finish. That’s why I wake up early. So here goes… “There’s no secret.”

Blogging 150

Blogging Writing Email Startup 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2015

Every entrepreneur should do the same due diligence on a potential investor that smart investors do on their startups. Let’s just say that every investor is different, without trying to define what is good or bad for you and your startup. A good advisor and mentor will tackle questions and then offer key insights.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Coach Invest Sample 108