SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 19, 2012

I was talking with an early-stage founder who has a product vision and wants to get it built. He is not a technical person, but is somewhat web savvy. He wanted to get input from me on what he's doing, and he wants to begin to ask developers what it would take to build his product. Go find a new technical resource.

Develop 354

Develop Development Technical Review CTO Coach 354

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 26, 2011

At the big consulting firms, investment banks and established large technology companies we’re taught to produce long reports, make sure that every document is perfect quality and that every possible bit of diligence has been done. That doesn’t work in a startup. It says that you need to take due care in selecting team members.

Startup 335

Startup Technical Review Framework Entrepreneur 335

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

It is also a result of pent-up demand. Consumer spending is 70% of the economy and will continue to be stretched – We can look all we want at tech innovation, VC funding cycles and hot M&A deals, but ultimately growth and therefore investment must be underpinned by revenue. See point 2 below.

Venture Capital 269

Venture Capital Startup Funding Technical Review 269

socalTECH

JULY 22, 2016

Rufus Labs is one of a number of hardware startups which have started to proliferate in the community, due to low cost hardware, 3D printing, and crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. What's your product, and what is it used for? We're focused on a product which makes for a more efficient, safer, workplace.

Technical Review 100

Technical Review Startup Software Review CTO Hire 100

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

The screen gets really hot as its pressed up to your cheek and so I find myself just putting my ear up to the speaker. As the speaker is up to your ear then; your mouth is a but further away and the person can’t quite hear what you’re saying. So grin and bear it by keeping your cheek on the hot screen?

Screening 91

Screening Press Slides Email 91

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 8, 2014

Deal screening. Industry reviews. Associates often shadow partners at board meetings so that they can help follow up with the company on important initiatives between board meetings. So the “VC associate” is largely a launching pad job for exceedingly bright and hard-working young tech professionals.

Help 365

Help Invest Venture Capital Technical Review 365

socalTECH

AUGUST 2, 2017

Our interview today is with Alan Horsager , the CEO of Pasadena-based Episona (www.episona.com), an angel backed startup which has already developed and has been offering up an epigenetic test for male fertility. Our first product is called Seed, which is a screening test for male infertility. What is Episona?

USC 100

USC Technical Review Startup Southern California 100

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 15, 2016

It’s a known fact that there are more men than women in tech, and those numbers aren’t getting better — in 2013, women held 26 percent of computing jobs in the United States, as opposed to 35 percent in 1990. Female Tech Role Models. She stresses the focus on useful products that their customers will be proud to own.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Social Media Startup Screening 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2021

If you are the first to deliver this, your startup might be the next Google! Technology environment savvy. In today’s mobile hardware environment, that means able to set up meetings, convert text messages to voice, find contact information quickly, and search the Web intelligently for outside info. Marty Zwilling.

Web 152

Web Entrepreneur Software Review Google 152

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2013

It’s the first EIR that we’ve had in the years that I’ve been with the firm and I hope will be the start of our investment in this program. I became aware of Sam several years ago as I started noticing his name repeated in the comments section of my blog. Sam later decided he wanted to do a startup.

Startup 372

Startup Course Ideas Invest 372

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point.

Startup 64

Startup Slides Technical Review Research 64

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

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. Either it’s a bunch of pictures or screen shots or it’s a bunch of words. You still need the presentation to back that up.

Venture Capital 288

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Software Review 288

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 25, 2012

As we continue this monumental year in the startup realm, we welcome a newcomer – Boston Startup School. Last week Boston Startup School officially launched and began with their inaugural class. ” -says Shaun Johnson, Co-Founder and COO of Boston Startup School. great jobs.

Education 86

Education Startup Software Review Technical Review 86

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 8, 2009

Traction can simply mean showing that you’re making progress with customers, product development, channel partners, initial revenue as a proof point, attracting well-known angel investors, winning industry awards / recognition. They tell you they’re going to ship product and they do. Schedule a follow up meeting.

Venture Capital 309

Venture Capital Guide Startup Technical Review 309

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? I’m not saying that lawyers were my screening process – simply that they knew about deals early on and they had voted with their time and pocketbooks so I knew I had a degree of filtering. What stage?

Startup 361

Startup Venture Capital Pricing Technical Review 361

socalTECH

DECEMBER 28, 2012

For the last week of the year, we're featuring the thoughts and reflections of some of the movers and shakers of Southern California's high tech community. We asked the same four questions of a variety of top technology entrepreneurs, investors, and others, to hear what they're thinking about, and are sharing it here over the next week.

Technical Review 223

Technical Review Southern California Incubator High Tech 223

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? I’m not saying that lawyers were my screening process – simply that they knew about deals early on and they had voted with their time and pocketbooks so I knew I had a degree of filtering. What stage?

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Startup Pricing Invest 347

Tech Zulu Event

JULY 8, 2011

For those who still might be wondering what Spotlight: LA Tech is all about, It’s a screening room for new technology homegrown in our region. It’s a gathering of friends and tech enthusiasts of all stripes. This Spotlight takes place Thursday, July 14, at The California Institute of Technology (CalTech).

CalTech 100

CalTech Technical Review Company Companies 100

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 11, 2011

3D Movies, 3D Printing, 3D Televisions, 3DS, our entire screen world is turning 3D and now its time for your mobile screen to get in on the fun. We answer these questions and really dive into the LG 4G Thrill in our review below. inch 800 x 480-pixel screen that can displaying both 2D and 3D content. Sporting a 4.3-inch

Software Review 77

Software Review Screening Orange County Mobile 77

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2015

The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point.

Slides 105

Slides Technical Review Startup Research 105

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

Running that effort is Kevin Hell , the founder of DivX, who we caught up with to learn more about EvoNexus and how the group is trying to help grow technology startups in San Dieog. Is there a screening process or criteria for firms to use the facilities? Once they pass that, they get into the incubator.

Incubator 212

Incubator San Diego Technical Review Development Team Review 212

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2010

Jason is also behind the popular "Startups Uncensored" events in Los Angeles, so we also pinged him on how those events have been going. Do you screen all of the documents on the marketplace, or how does that work? Jason Nazar: We screen the profiles, but we don't screen the content.

Technical Review 171

Technical Review Rustic Canyon Screening Startup 171

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 10, 2010

If you’re not familiar with the term it’s basically trying to help all of us who are deluged with technology to find ways to cope with the masses of information without having it ruin our lives. Let me start by saying I’m a huge business book cynic. You’re on the DS (deferred startup) plan.

Startup 295

Startup Email Technical Review Course 295

Tech.Co

MAY 22, 2018

Truth be told, your only path to some serious funding is perseverance and diligence in getting meetings and being prepared. To help you crush your next investor meeting, we asked top VCs and tech leaders to share their best pitch advice. What startup teams don’t realize is that having competition is good. Know Your Stuff.

Tips 70

Tips Help Slides Technical Review 70

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2017

The board’s job is to review the company’s financial performance and strategy and help provide counsel to the executive team. I can’t change who your board members are so let me offer some thoughts on how to make your interactions with your board more productive. Some boards are highly functional, many are not.

Tips 212

Tips Slides Startup Technical Review 212

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 20, 2015

If Smucker’s can annually generate hundreds of millions in sales for a variety of food products, there is little risk that a mediocre company or product name will preclude you from achieving similar success. eBay – Derived from Founder Pierre Omidyar’s consulting company, Echo Bay Technology Group. Do''s And Don''t Do''s.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2013

The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point.

Angel 102

Angel Funding Slides Technical Review 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded by an angel investor. The Gust Deal Funnel from the last 12 months indicates is that 70% of the interested companies never make it past the initial screening process. are eliminated during due diligence. Line up an experienced team. Build a prototype product.

Invest 99

Invest Angel Technical Review Summary 99

InfoChachkie

APRIL 14, 2014

However, far less attention has been applied to entrepreneurial philanthropy, in which a startup mindset and accountability is applied to issuing non-profit grants. Even the organization''s lexicon reinforces its startup mindset. The convergence of startup principles and the world of philanthropy makes total sense.

Organization 199

Organization Startup Technical Review Invest 199

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2010

It’s always fun debating companies with Dana because she’s always so knowledgeable on deals – particularly those in the digital media, ad-tech and eCommerce spaces. Another topic we debated early in the program was “lean startup” vs. “ fat startup ” where we both took the obvious hedge and said “it depends.”

Venture Capital 240

Venture Capital Startup Platform Technical Review 240

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded by an angel investor. The AngelSoft Deal Funnel from the last 12 months indicates is that 70% of the interested companies never make it past the initial screening process. are eliminated during due diligence. Line up an experienced team. Build a prototype product.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

We caught up with Gregg Spiridellis, one of the founders of JibJab, to hear about Storybots. First, to catch up our readers on JibJab, can you quickly talk about where the company is nowadays and the whole greeting card business? Our product is called Starring You, which lets oyu put yourself into any video we create.

Content 224

Content Startup Screening Education 224

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2012

The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point.

Tips 97

Tips Slides Technical Review Startup 97

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

To learn more about how women are looking to change the investment climate--and get involved in investing themselves--we caught up with one of the Pipeline Fellowship''s local mentors, the CEO of Beyond Capital Fund (www.beyondcapitalfund.org), Eva Helene Yazhari , who is here in Los Angeles. What is the Pipeline Fellowship?

Angel 276

Angel Invest Mentor Technical Review 276

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2010

Bill Gates once famously said that people tend to overestimate the impact of technology in the 1-year timeframe and underestimate its impact in the 10-year timeframe. I tend not to go into heat when I hear the latest buzz on the tech blogs about the latest gadgets. So I signed up for the online version of Weight Watchers.

Technical Review 278

Technical Review Software Review Startup SoCal 278

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2011

The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point.

Slides 95

Slides Technical Review Startup Research 95

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 23, 2010

I was an early user of Quora and like all new technologies they take a bit of playing with them for a while, discussing them with others and reflecting on them to let them sink in. It was this sort of techie / geeky looking UI implementation of questions that anybody could ask about startups. really understand it. Quora “Lite&#.

Blogging 301

Blogging SEO Startup Writing 301