socalTECH

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

In a move to convert that huge pile of data into something much more meaningful, Los Angeles-based Ninja Metrics (www.ninjametrics.com) launched a new predictive analytics product for the industry. Explain what Ninja Metrics is doing? Talk about how your research led to this startup? How is it you do that?

Metrics 100

Metrics Software Review Research Startup 100

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

In December 2007, I described how I commonly take on an Acting CTO Role in a Start-up. However, I’ve now begun questioning how and what an early-stage / startup CTO should be. What worries me a bit is how often I read that startups should hire a developer / hands-on lead developer. Gap closed, right? Probably not.

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

However, 10 years after the software was first released, the kanban-based system is getting a major overhaul. The software now offers Timeline, Table, Dashboard, and Calendar views. You can also adjust start and finish dates on-the-fly to account for any delays — or even bring things forward!

Software Review 149

Software Review Guide Technical Review Class 149

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Los Angeles-based Signal Sciences (www.signalsciences.com), which develops web application firewall software, just inked a big, $35M series C funding round a few weeks ago, and now has plans to dramatically expand its hiring in Los Angeles. Tell us a little bit about this round? Were excited about both angles.

Startup 113

Startup Funding Technical Review Software Review 113

SoCal CTO

APRIL 8, 2010

If I Launched a Startup - The Startup Lawyer , March 17, 2010 Great advice on initial steps of setting up a Startup. 9 Reasons Why Many Smart People Go Nowhere - Life Beyond Code , March 29, 2010 You would have met many smart people who live a mediocre life. There are MANY of them. There are MANY of them.

Startup 150

Startup Software Review Competition SoCal 150

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 25, 2015

Startups in a world of massive markets can be confusing. The law of large numbers, platforms that can make your company blow up unexpectedly and the trendy nature of tech markets can be deceiving. Will we win the battle for share-of-mind every time they pick up their phone or log into their computers?” Not vanity metrics.

Product 150

Product Startup Metrics Technical Review 150

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

I find it amusing when a journalist writes an article about a prominent startup (either privately held or preparing for an IPO) and decries that, “They’re not even profitable!” Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. What makes up revenue?

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world.

Startup 97

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 97

StartUp Beat

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

With its finger on the pulse of this global marketing trend, Los Angeles-based Paladin Software has announced the release of a new social influencer marketing software, Campaigns. James Creech- Co-Founder & CEO at Paladin Software. “In

Social Media 40

Social Media Software Review Media Marketing 40

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

What is it to start up a company, and run it to the brink of shutdown�only to have it acquired and restarted immediately? That's the fascinating story behind Los Angeles-based Earbits (www.earbits.com), which offers up a mobile music streaming service focused on discovering both new and talent.

Software Review 100

Software Review Startup Metrics Content 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

As a business advisor, I have to recommend even to established companies that they review and revamp their competitive strategy now, even if it appears to be working today. Simple metrics and your personal knowledge of the industry can’t keep up with all the relevant competitive forces. You need to be part of a larger ecosystem.

Competition 142

Competition Software Review Social Media Customer 142

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail. Trying outrageous new things or even trying mundane things but in new ways but with extreme quality & innovation is what fuels the tech startup industry. But today I want to give you advice on how to decrease your odds of failure in a startup.

Startup 150

Startup Marketing Study SEO 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Oracle Software Review Ideas 123

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 19, 2012

I asked some of the same questions I ask in my Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions and then I get to a very common conversation: Me : Do you have specs? It's the same as when I've created financial models and then have it reviewed by a hard-core CFO, sophisticated investor or similar kind of expert. Founder : Ummm. what do you mean?

Develop 354

Develop Development Technical Review CTO Coach 354

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. Growing too fast kills many new ventures, due to staffing costs, inventory, and funding delays.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

They don’t realize that these are still rare, require a large risk, and may not be the best way to keep up with change in the market. Before you act, shut up and listen to employees, customers, and futurists. Define realistic metrics to keep track of progress. You need metrics to incentivize the right team behaviors.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Metrics Resource Software Review 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world.

Startup 109

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 109

socalTECH

JULY 10, 2017

There's been a revolution in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the last few years, by both startups and large companies, to help in a large number of areas. With each company that we've started, we've concentrated on a particular market. Tim Grace: We all get our started at HNC Software in San Diego.

Artificial Inteligence 124

Artificial Inteligence Software Review San Diego .Net 124

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

There is much talk these days that startup valuations have decreased and may continue to do so and that the amount of time it takes to fund raise may take longer. months for fund raising start to finish and make sure you have at least 6 month’s of cash if it takes longer. Is that a lot for them? How risk averse are you?

Startup 150

Startup Capital Funding Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2017

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world.

Sites 59

Sites Startup Technical Review Oracle 59

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2013

Even in this age of globalization and virtualization, the geographic area where you choose to live and work can still make or break your startup business. Of course, there are always exceptions, but how much added risk do you need for your startup? Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world.

Startup 102

Startup Technical Review Oracle Entrepreneur 102

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2018

For our interview this morning, we caught up with Scot Lawrie , the President and technical Co-founder of Los Angeles-based Coverfly (www.coverfly.com), and John Rhodes , Coverfly's head of Marketing and Business Development, to learn a bit more about the early stage, bootstrapped startup focused on Hollywood script writers.

Technical Review 100

Technical Review Hollywood Platform Competition 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2022

Leaders and investors need to know if you have and are tapping into your key sources of relevant data, including web analytics, sales management data, and customer relationship management (CRM) software. You must have a strong Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) with a clear strategy for spending, and metrics to gauge results.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Acquisition Technical Review 100

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 25, 2009

This is part of my ongoing series Startup Advice. In these many exchanges similar questions crop up. Either you’re not a good leader and he shouldn’t be investing at all, or he has no clue what it takes to build a startup.&#. I write this post as a warning to pick your VC’s carefully. Let me explain.

Venture Capital 297

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur 297

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

He also gave us some of his thoughts on why the "Paypal Mafia"--former PayPal employees--have gotten so much success from their startups. My cofounder and I know how hard it is to get a company up and running, and funded, to keep your investors in the loop. So how'd you end up here in Southern California? Thanks, and good luck!

Southern California 243

Southern California Entrepreneur Software Review Yammer 243

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Being a consultant is a role that works with big companies, but I have found that it doesn’t get much traction in small businesses and startups. I learned this the hard way, when I left IBM a few years ago to share what I had learned with the exciting world of startups in Silicon Valley. Use social media for more visibility.

Social Media 56

Social Media Software Review Customer Custom 56

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2017

Start looking for what is right in a person or business situation, instead of looking for what is wrong. When people feel good about themselves, the business looks positive, productivity goes up, and relationships are a lot better. Start your day with a positive business challenge. Experience without learning is wasted effort.

Software Review 57

Software Review Technical Review Startup Press 57

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Old School Software Distribution Is Doomed. On December 10th, 1993, a small group of software developers in Shreveport, Louisiana changed the software world. id Software’s first-person shooter game, entitled simply DOOM, could be downloaded free, allowing gamers to play the first nine levels. Question Conventional Wisdom.

Entrepreneur 230

Entrepreneur Software Review Allegis Metrics 230

SoCal CTO

MARCH 22, 2007

Ive not found that much use for LinkedIn to help my blogging, but Im starting to think about this. I am in the middle of writing up some of my thoughts on this and will post about it and let you know. We have been using LinkedIn for both sourcing recruits and reviewing backgrounds for recruits. Maybe this meme will help.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach CTO Hire Southern California 150

Steve Reich

JUNE 11, 2012

MindBodyOnline is a terrifically succesful SaaS company, based in San Luis Obispo, that provides scheduling and transactional software for Yoga studios, hair salons, and spas. MBO is very metrics driven, and their shareholder reports are dense with detailed, disciplined reporting that remind you that Rick is former Naval officer.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Software Review SaaS 97

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2017

A classic article in the Harvard Business Review “ The Truth About Customer Experience ” defines it as your customer’s end-to-end journey with you, not just the key touchpoints or critical moments when customers interact with your organization. One metric now commonly used is called the Net Promoter® Score (NPS).

Customer 85

Customer Custom Product Marketing 85

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

A Bay Area virtual reality startup is about to add new dimensions to the sync-watching experience for viewers of NBC News’s coverage of events leading up to the presidential election on Nov 8. The use of biological metrics and neuroscience in marketing is starting to expand to political research and campaign strategy-making.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review News Social Media Startup 40

SoCal CTO

JULY 23, 2012

I received a great question via LinkedIn: I'm the founding engineer and working hard to launch my startup. What can I do to best equip myself to step up when the need to officially fill this role arises? I've previously addressed the role of a CTO in early-stages in my post Startup CTO or Developer. How can we address this risk?

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

They decide to wake up early to read the materials. In town board members also only scan it because they, too, have morning meetings before the board meeting starts. The meeting starts. It probably starts late. If you put up 5 slides on “what should we order for lunch today” the board will spend 30 minutes debating that.

Startup 226

Startup Slides Metrics News 226

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

I promised to do this post as a follow-up to the session to provide additional links and information. Once you build it, they will now ask you about the key metrics that they need proven in order to see if you really are a good investment. The real reason to build an MVP is to do early tests of key Startup Metrics for the business.

Technical Review 338

Technical Review CTO Hire CTO Coach Software Review 338

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 17, 2018

You get to have interesting conversations with founders and review business plans and then see how these businesses evolve over the years. " Revenue doesn't pay your bills, GM does  —  @msuster 2/ Founders obsess with revenue as a vanity metric. Some even grow "bad" revenue just to show growth.

Software Review 242

Software Review Technical Review Pricing Metrics 242

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

I have been close to the tech & startup sectors for more than 20 years and I can’t think of a period in which I felt more optimistic about the innovation and value creation I see in front of us. The number of startups being created has increased by an order of magnitude. Thank you, Aaron Sorkin!

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Capital Technical Review Startup 347