SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies. 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.

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

socalTECH

OCTOBER 18, 2018

Los Angeles-based AppOnboard , the developer of mobile app demo technology led by Jonathan Zweig, says that it now has such app developers as FoxNext Games, Game Insight, Superheart Studios, Jam City, Huuuge Games, and Simple Habit using its tools. READ MORE>>.

Technical Review 133

Technical Review Mobile Technology Customer 133

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2020

If you have a software development background like mine, I’m sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe.

Outsource Development 122

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Technical Review 122

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2017

So how did a company that provides storage grow so fast (we’ll exit 2017 with 10’s of millions in recurring revenue), why is it so defensible and is it really a tech startup? If you buy that Amazon is a tech startup then essentially you’ve already answered the question. years of software development.

Technical Review 268

Technical Review Funding Software Review Artificial Inteligence 268

SoCal CTO

APRIL 27, 2011

Several people have recently come to me to help them source and/or hire full-time CTOs for their startup having found me through my post that looks at: Startup CTO Salary and Equity Data. The first thing I do is suggest they explore if they really need to hire a full-time CTO for their startup and if so, what kind of CTO they need.

CTO Hire 282

CTO Hire CTO Coach Technical Review Startup 282

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

I often hear the qualms of business-smart but non-technical entrepreneurs, wondering if they really have a chance in this high-technology marketplace. I tell them that if their idea or solution is technology intensive, they clearly need technology strength on the team. Sometimes brain teasers are a good start.

Technical Review 92

Technical Review Technology Startup Outsource Development 92

SoCal CTO

APRIL 27, 2011

Several people have recently come to me to help them source and/or hire full-time CTOs for their startup having found me through my post that looks at: Startup CTO Salary and Equity Data. The first thing I do is suggest they explore if they really need to hire a full-time CTO for their startup and if so, what kind of CTO they need.

CTO Hire 225

CTO Hire CTO Coach Technical Review Startup 225

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2011

I often hear the qualms of business-smart but non-technical entrepreneurs, wondering if they really have a chance in this high-technology marketplace. I tell them that if their idea or solution is technology intensive, they clearly need technology strength on the team. Sometimes brain teasers are a good start.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Entrepreneur Outsource Development Outsource 94

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

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 1, 2018

At least one million people will be receiving the next FabFitFun box as the Los Angeles company surpasses $200 million in revenue and continues its run as one of the startups to watch in the Los Angeles tech community. . “We think about it in the context of a lifestyle,” said Michael Broukhim.

Electronic Arts 232

Electronic Arts Netflix Los Angeles Technical Review 232

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2014

If you have a software development background like mine, Im sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe.

Outsource Development 95

Outsource Development Outsource Offshore Software Review 95

TechEmpower

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

The team’s technical skills are solid, but they’re undermined by poor communication, especially around requirements and expectations. If you're grappling with this issue, identifying the specific cause can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a software background. This is where a technical review can be useful!)

Development Team Review 260

Development Team Review Develop Development Software Review 260

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 18, 2015

No one likes to talk about it, but the odds of an individual startup making it are pretty daunting. Startup Killers. This might be tough to stomach, but founders themselves pose the greatest threats to the viability of their startups. Choosing the wrong co-founder (s). When it comes to picking a co-founder choose wisely.

Technical Review 40

Technical Review Software Review Startup IP 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2016

If you have a software development background like mine, I’m sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe.

Outsource Development 53

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Technical Review 53

SoCal CTO

APRIL 9, 2013

I just got an email asking about exactly this: I''m with a new company that needs some software built, but doesn''t need (or have the resources for) a large staff of software developers. Or are you starting from scratch? Are there particular technologies or platforms involved? What are the review periods?

Web Development 204

Web Development Web Develop Development 204

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2019

For example, I grew up in IBM when Bill Gates was helping us deliver the first IBM PC. We slowly realized that Microsoft’s value went far beyond his technical contributions, due to his connections with key software developers and relationships with hardware manufacturers who could make the PC revolution universal.

IBM 87

IBM IBM Ideas Technical Review 87

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

I did a presentation this week at Coloft that looked at how Non-Technical Founders can go about getting their MVP built. I promised to do this post as a follow-up to the session to provide additional links and information. 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

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

My introduction to startups really came when I first worked in IBM with Philip Donald Estridge back in 1981. Known as Don Estridge, he led development of the original IBM Personal Computer, and thus is known as "father of the IBM PC" He’s gone now, but I still remember him fondly. mHz, now 3.0 Marty Zwilling.

IBM 74

IBM IBM Software Review Startup 74

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 3, 2009

This is part of my ongoing series of posts and I need to file this one under both Raising Venture Capital and Startup Advice. The last couple of years has also seen the huge initial success of Ycombinator, the Lean Startup and many other product driven approaches to going to market. That died with waterfall software development.

Web 2.0 334

Web 2.0 Venture Capital Web Technical Review 334

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

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

15desks.com), a new startup focused on the education market. We talked with him on why he decided to head up this startup, and what 15desks is all about. We've basically taken advantage of all the new technology out there--especially, the web-based service model. Zareh Baghdasarian is the CEO of 15desks (www.15desks.com),

Education 124

Education Startup Course Tool 124

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.

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 18, 2008

in a venture round for the firm's software recommendation startup. We caught up with co-founder and CEO Darrius Thompson--who was also a co-founder at DivX--to learn more about the startup, the saga behind how the company started, and the funding. What's the idea behind OpenCandy?

Software Review 100

Software Review Software Startup Examples 100

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 6, 2013

TechZulu caught up with co-founder Calvin Schemanski chat about their upcoming launch, their product and why Long reviews suck. myfab5 is a platform that reinvents the restaurant review. Unlike typical review sites, our platform does not use star ratings or long reviews. What is myfab5?

Software Review 79

Software Review Technical Review Writing Startup 79

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 20, 2015

To illustrate the extent to which a company’s name is largely irrelevant to its ultimate success, let’s examine the genesis of six successful technology companies’ names. eBay – Derived from Founder Pierre Omidyar’s consulting company, Echo Bay Technology Group. Some of my favorites are listed HERE. substituting "Gre8" for "great").

Customer 100

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 100

socalTECH

MAY 23, 2017

Our interview this morning is with Jonathan Zweig , the CEO of Los Angeles-based AppOnboard (www.apponboard.com), which has created software which allows mobile app developers--and in particular, mobile game developers--to create demos of those games which can be played without having to download and install those apps.

Startup 113

Startup Southern California UCLA Technical Review 113

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2011

But Ryan’s vision is much broader, which is what perked up my ears. I’ve talked before about problems I see with the US education system in both my post about Peter Thiel’s 20-under-20 initiative and also my review of Waiting for Superman. We’ll see if Ryan takes me up on that. Again, not for everybody.

Invest 295

Invest Carson Technical Review Education 295

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.

Entrepreneur 230

Entrepreneur Software Review Allegis Metrics 230

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 7, 2011

Sometime around 2003/04 my technology team turned me on to “Spolsky on Software&# a periodic newsletter served up blog style from Joel Spolsky of FogCreek Software, a maker of bug-tracking software. After leaving Juno, he founded his own software company, Fog Creek Software. Working at Juno.

Software Review 285

Software Review Software Blogging Startup 285