Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2013

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. Need expensive resources up front. General startup expenses are beyond your means. bootstrap business entrepreneur startup'

Startup 100

Startup Entrepreneur Technical Review Equity 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2010

When someone says Intellectual Property (IP), most people think only of patents. In reality, patents are only one of at least seven items that should be in your IP portfolio. The company name becomes your intellectual property at the moment you incorporate your startup as an LLC or a Corporation. Trademarks. Copyrights.

Patents 50

Patents Startup IP Blogging 50

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2012

Most investors and startup advisors I know hate them, and refuse to sign them. You won’t last long as an entrepreneur in this category, since a startup is all about taking risks. The format of an NDA is simple, and you can download a sample from my website. Prior to patent application. Who is right? Trade secrets.

Startup 97

Startup Patents Sample Ideas 97

Tech.Co

MARCH 1, 2018

And while that cliché has been said about everything in the Lone Star state for years, it rings particularly true for the hottest startups showcasing their big innovations at SXSW Startup Night 2018 presented by the Kauffman Foundation and TechCo. Beast Mode is taking on a new meaning in the startup world.

Startup 79

Startup Mentor Platform Help 79

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2015

Thus, based on my experience as an entrepreneur as well as a startup investor, there are indeed situations where a non-disclosure is highly recommended, and others where the potential good far outweighs the risk. Disclosures relative to patents. Product details in the public domain can never be patented. Sharing trade secrets.

Ideas 106

Ideas Technical Review Patents Entrepreneur 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2011

When someone says Intellectual Property (IP), most entrepreneurs think only of patents. In reality, patents are only one of at least eight items that should be in your IP portfolio. You need all these before you start looking for funding. Remember that ideas cannot be patented, only novel implementations. Trademarks.

Social Media 94

Social Media Media Patents IP 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2013

First things first – your startup needs a name! Some startup founders try unusual word spellings to make their business stand out, but this can be trouble when customers ‘Google’ your business to find you, or try to refer you to others. Forget made-up words and nonsense phrases. Patent Office for Trademarks.

Startup 104

Startup Google Customer Custom 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2013

Most investors and startup advisors I know hate them, and refuse to sign them. You won’t last long as an entrepreneur in this category, since a startup is all about taking risks. The format of an NDA is simple, and you can download a sample from my website. Prior to patent application. Who is right? Trade secrets.

Ideas 92

Ideas Demand Patents Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. Need expensive resources up front. General startup expenses are beyond your means. You need specialized equipment.

Technical Review 95

Technical Review Startup Equity Entrepreneur 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2010

Most investors and startup advisors I know hate them, and refuse to sign them. You won’t last long as an entrepreneur in this category, since a startup is all about taking risks. The format of an NDA is simple, and you can download a sample from my website. Prior to patent application. Who is right? Trade secrets.

Startup 48

Startup Patents Sample Entrepreneur 48

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 24, 2011

Most investors and startup advisors I know hate them, and refuse to sign them. You won’t last long as an entrepreneur in this category, since a startup is all about taking risks. The format of an NDA is simple, and you can download a sample from my website. Prior to patent application. Who is right? Trade secrets.

Patents 90

Patents Sample Ideas Entrepreneur 90

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. Need expensive resources up front. General startup expenses are beyond your means. You need specialized equipment.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Equity 102

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2009

A few weeks ago, we were surprised to run into a new launch of a semiconductor startup. It's the same part that came out as our first engineering sample. The part tested so well, we are taking that engineering sample to production without any enhancements to our die. Thanks for taking the time to speak to us.

Patents 100

Patents Sample Technical Review Pricing 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 7, 2014

First things first – your startup needs a name! Some startup founders try unusual word spellings to make their business stand out, but this can be trouble when customers ‘Google’ your business to find you, or try to refer you to others. Forget made-up words and nonsense phrases. Patent Office for Trademarks.

Google 117

Google Customer Custom Sample 117

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2012

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Every startup needs both a business plan and an investor presentation, completed before you formally approach any investors.

Slides 99

Slides Competition Sample Sales 99

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2010

My partner and I, Cliff Elion, have a patent pending neck technology, which enables the guitar to be made at a very accessible price point, and also have probably more functionality and connectivity than any device in history. When we started discussing the idea behind the company, Guitar Hero and Rock Band were the talk of the town.

Orange County 244

Orange County Startup Slides Paramount 244

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2011

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Every startup needs both a business plan and an investor presentation, completed before you formally approach any investors.

Slides 93

Slides Competition Sample Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

As a member of the local angel group Selection Committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! Every startup needs both a business plan and an investor presentation, completed before you formally approach any investors.

Slides 94

Slides Competition Sample Sales 94

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 20, 2012

TechZulu caught up with the founders and this is what they said. His career started in the SQL Server team, focusing on query languages and query optimization. Prior to joining Contur, he founded a successful business, and was a finalist at a South by Southwest Startup competition. Tell us how it works? What inspired you?

Email 63

Email CTO Hire Startup Organization 63

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2011

First things first – your startup needs a name! Some startup founders try unusual word spellings to make their business stand out, but this can be trouble when customers ‘Google’ your business to find you, or try to refer you to others. Forget made-up words and nonsense phrases. Patent Office for Trademarks.

Company 108

Company Companies Google Customer 108

socalTECH

MARCH 16, 2010

So, we came up with a name that was broader, and more than about CFX chemistry. We came up with Contour Energy, with a tag line of Reshaping Portable Power. One of the things we've been able to do, is we've patented a cathode where we can dial in the amount of energy, or power, or any combination we need. READ MORE>>.

CalTech 168

CalTech Technical Review Azusa Venture Capital 168

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2010

First things first – your startup needs a name! Some startup founders try unusual word spellings to make their business stand out, but this can be trouble when customers ‘Google’ your business to find you, or try to refer you to others. Forget made-up words and nonsense phrases. Patent Office for Trademarks.

Company 92

Company Companies Google Customer 92

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Their primary intended reader is a “first-time entrepreneur”, but clearly other stakeholders within the startup universe can also benefit from the book’s hands-on advice. Don’t Overemphasize Patents. Things I Loved. I normally would advise readers to purchase the cheapest offering. Don’t Email Carpet Bomb VCs. No Often Means No.

Venture Capital 205

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Writing Guide 205

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

Give up Branding. Serve up World-wide Distribution. Do Not Give up Branding. This generally involves the BDC selling the startup’s technology under the BDC’s brand. In order to ensure that these specifications are honored, include the “Powered By” samples in an exhibit to the partnership agreement.

Outsource Development 170

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 170

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

Give up Branding. Serve up World-wide Distribution. Do Not Give up Branding. This generally involves the BDC selling the startup’s technology under the BDC’s brand. In order to ensure that these specifications are honored, include the “Powered By” samples in an exhibit to the partnership agreement.

Outsource Development 124

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 124