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Be approximately right rather than exactly wrong.

Berkonomics

John Tukey, coiner of the word ‘bit’ to describe a single switch of digital micro-data made this provocative statement. Tukey was a statistician; one you would expect to describe events in terms reeking with precision. Where’s the precision in that? Instead, Tukey of asking for precision as we’d expect, he implored us to think in terms of relevancy, cause and comparisons to known events.

Invest 156
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Risk, insanity, and the 50% startup rule!

Berkonomics

Fifty percent of all businesses formed will fail within the first two years. There are many variations of this number since there are a number of ways to measure failure. But the number is a startling reminder that creating a business is not easy, nor is it any assurance of success. How to define “success” for a startup? After speaking with many entrepreneurs over the years, each defines success in his or her unique way.

Startup 317
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Why the Future of Space Starts in LA

Both Sides of the Table

Credit: Apex Today, Apex announced their Series B funding round, led by XYZ Ventures and CRV, with participation from Upfront. And if you spend much time in LA, you’ll quickly realize that we’re in a groundswell of space and defense startups. Is it because of the rich engineering talent coming out of Caltech, UCLA, USC, Harvey Mudd, and all the other universities?

CalTech 237
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7 Grants For Black-Owned Businesses to Apply For in 2024

Tech.Co

In recent years, Black-owned businesses have grown at the fastest pace in 30 years. However, despite growing optimism, the path to success for Black entrepreneurs is still paved with systematic barriers in 2024. In addition to the regular pressures of running a business in this climate, Black business owners have to contend with discriminatory lending practices from banking institutions and racial prejudices from buyers – with a recent report revealing that 76% of Black business owners cla

Design 225
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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

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How Can IT Services in Los Angeles Help Reduce Your Business Costs?

AllTopStartups

Let’s be real—running a business in Los Angeles isn’t cheap. Between rent, payroll, and the rising cost of just about everything, it’s no wonder businesses are constantly looking for ways… The post How Can IT Services in Los Angeles Help Reduce Your Business Costs? appeared first on AllTopStartups.

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Four Locations Confirmed for San Diego Startup Week 2024

Startup San Diego

San Diego Startup Week 2024 is gearing up to be a landmark event, showcasing the vibrant startup ecosystem across multiple dynamic locations. Taking place from October 21st to the 25th, […] The post Four Locations Confirmed for San Diego Startup Week 2024 appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Negotiation! We all can improve.

Berkonomics

Think you don’t use negotiation most every day of your life? From the time we learn to manipulate our parents from the crib to today, we learn to negotiate to obtain our wants and needs. As we grow, we negotiate constantly with our parents, then with our peers. As we enter the business world, we negotiate with our bosses and our subordinates. We negotiate with our suppliers, customers, investors, and even our auditors.

Pricing 156
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Gray areas in non-compete agreements?

Berkonomics

Last week we introduced the subject of non-compete agreements. Let’s dive a little deeper and present some “gray area” scenarios to consider. First the obvious case in point What if you are the seller of a previous business or shares amounting to more than an insignificant percentage of a previous business? Certainly, the buyer’s asset purchase documents included a non-compete clause, usually valid for two years from the date of the closing.

Patents 156
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Are you afraid of non-compete agreements?     

Berkonomics

Entrepreneurs tend to remain in the business niche they know best. Usually that means one they once or recently spent time as an employee or manager within a company where they had little or no ownership. Are you one of those? Some of these entrepreneurs starting a new company are alumni from companies that would be a competitor to the enterprise being created or joined.

Design 156
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Do you agree with “Fail fast?”

Berkonomics

Here’s a question that should strike close to home. Professional investors like to quote this mantra to anyone who will listen. “Fail fast,” they say. But what if you believe so strongly in your budding enterprise that this seems to be the most ill-advised directive you’ve ever heard? So here are some rules that might make it clearer for you and for those who so easily quote the mantra.

Incubator 156
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Missed Expectations and the 80% M&A Rule.

Berkonomics

Eighty percent of all businesses purchased by another company or by a new investor-operator fail to meet the stated expectations of the buyer after one year. As with the fifty percent rule discussed last week (fifty percent of startups fail within two years), this rule is hard to find an author willing to be quoted as the source. But it is within the range of experience by many of us professional investors, and with those who have acted as brokers, serial purchasers or consultants for acquisiti

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The 3 Ps that make you a success

Berkonomics

You may have never thought of it like this before, but to make your work or company a success you will need to address the three Ps, performance, planning and profit. Let’s take a minute to demonstrate why. Performance, the first “P” You are part of a team, no matter how small. The success of the team depends upon everyone carrying their own weight.

Metrics 156
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Revolutionary – but too late?     

Berkonomics

Too many startup businesses, especially in the technology world, are built upon brand new concepts that have not yet been proven in the field against products from other companies that already have revenues flowing. As a rule, creating a product that does not fit into an existing space, cannot be defined against one or more competitors, or which needs a long description to understand, will require considerably more marketing capital and entail much more risk than one that follows an existing tre

Class 156
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Can you be liked while being tough?

Berkonomics

People argue over whether an entrepreneur with a sense of fairness, a desire for collegiality, a want to share the profits can succeed in the long run within a business world full of lions and tigers that eat timid entrepreneurs for lunch. Does a “good heart” diminish the chances of success? First, let’s separate the “good heart” from the issue of whether an entrepreneur is driven to succeed.

Metrics 156
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Startup intoxication!

Berkonomics

There is nothing quite as thrilling in business as igniting a startup and watching it blossom. Especially when starting a company with personal savings or money from relatives and friends, early signs of success are intoxicating. Each new customer, each mention in the press or online adds to the feeling of early accomplishment. And it is more satisfying because it is yours, from idea to execution.

Startup 156
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Find your rock in Ensenada!

Berkonomics

Have you found your special place to think strategically without interruption? I found mine on a rock in Ensenada, Mexico years ago… But I am ahead of myself… Every entrepreneur has that moment of truth – the one that marks the decision to take the path to entrepreneurship or the path to job security with a larger employer. And down the road a bit, most of us face another when deciding whether or not to go for growth, requiring new investment and increased risks.

Invest 156
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Should you find a business coach?

Berkonomics

Does this resonate with you? The CEO position can be a lonely place, especially when you find yourself in a position of not being able to bring an issue directly to the board and not wanting to explore solutions with associates within the company. Sign of weakness? This sometimes happens when a person is unwilling to admit a weakness in an area that is critical, such as analysis of financial statements, or when unhappy with the actions of your board or with pay offers by the board’s compensation

Coach 156
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I’ve been sued as a board member.

Berkonomics

I’ve been sued as a board member too many times over the past twenty-five years of board service. Five times. Does that shock you? It does me. What’s the exposure? Here are some examples: Entrepreneurs blaming their board for failures of a fragile, early- stage company. Shareholders unhappy over the same loss, reaching out to sue every name available.

Email 156
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Are you expecting too much from your board?

Berkonomics

Expect a board member to give a meeting a month, emails and phone calls between. Urgent issues require more of all. Of course this is a tricky question. You might expect the answer to be “as much as necessary” or “more during emergencies” or “usually just at scheduled meetings.” But board members are usually busy people, often running other companies or serving on multiple boards.

Email 156
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How do you pay an early-stage board?

Berkonomics

Give one percent equity to each outside board member vesting over two to four years of service. Many early-stage CEOs and board members have asked for some guidance regarding pay and time commitments for board members. Here is my best advice, based upon many boards and many years. Pay early-stage board members of companies that are not lifestyle businesses one percent of the fully diluted equity in the form of an option that vests over two to four years of service.

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Small Business Grants You Can Apply For in August 2024

Tech.Co

As the old adage goes, money doesn’t grow on trees: but it might be easier to access than you think, thanks to the growing number of private grants available to small businesses. Whether you’re unfairly impacted by systematic barriers , or simply lack the capital needed to get your idea off the ground, private grants can provide lifelines to small businesses by enabling them to grow without tying them down with the debts associated with business loans.

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Small Business Grants You Can Apply For in September 2024

Tech.Co

If you’re currently stressed about your business’s finances, you’re not alone. According to research from Goldman Sachs, 77% of small businesses are currently concerned about their ability to access capital – but it’s not a lost cause. Whatever your business size or specialism, chances are there’s a grant initiative out there that you’re eligible for.

Design 148
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Small Business Grants You Can Apply For in July 2024

Tech.Co

As we ease into the summer months, business optimism finally seems to have recovered from its Covid-induced slump, with a new survey from the US Chamber of Commerce revealing that 73% of US business owners expect their revenue to grow in the next year. Despite this, rising inflation rates and systematic barriers to entry are still preventing millions of business owners from finding success.

ChatGPT 154
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7 Private Small Business Grants to Apply For in June 2024

Tech.Co

Starting or growing a small business in 2024 is no easy feat, and one of the biggest obstacles you will face is securing funding. While small business loans can provide a lifeline to business owners looking for swift cash injections, high interest rates, and repayment terms have the potential to sting you later down the line. As the old adage goes, money doesn’t grow on trees.

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8 Grants Women-Owned Businesses Can Apply For in 2024

Tech.Co

With 42% of US companies currently owned by females, the business landscape has become a lot more equitable in recent decades. Yet, despite major strides being made by women in business, entrepreneurship is still very much a man’s game, with all-female start-ups receiving only 1.9% of venture capital funding in 2023. But it’s not just angel investors that favor the status quo.

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California Lawmakers Pass Controversial AI Bill

Tech.Co

The California State Assembly has passed landmark regulation to curb the potential threat of AI. California lawmakers on Wednesday passed the bill – the first of its kind in the US – pending a vote in the state Senate. Governor Gavin Newsom will now have a month to decide whether or not to approve it. As per the bill, AI companies based in the Golden State will be required to implement a suite of precautionary measures before training AI models.

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The Growing Popularity of Remote Work and Its Benefits for Tech Startups

AllTopStartups

In the tech industry, remote work has emerged as a transformative trend. Startups, in particular, are increasingly embracing this model, recognizing its potential to revolutionize operations. By eliminating the need… The post The Growing Popularity of Remote Work and Its Benefits for Tech Startups appeared first on AllTopStartups.

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How Does Advanced Warehouse Management Technology Benefit Businesses? Enhancing Efficiency and Profitability

AllTopStartups

Advanced warehouse management technology dramatically enhances business operations by streamlining various processes. These technologies improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and boost productivity. By integrating tools such as Warehouse Management Systems… The post How Does Advanced Warehouse Management Technology Benefit Businesses? Enhancing Efficiency and Profitability appeared first on AllTopStartups.

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Why Apps Are the Most Underrated Revenue Streams for Businesses

AllTopStartups

“Work smarter, not harder.” That’s what you’re constantly told as a business owner, right? After all, no-one wants to work harder than they have to. Something a lot of people… The post Why Apps Are the Most Underrated Revenue Streams for Businesses appeared first on AllTopStartups.

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Announcing Panelists for 1st Mondays in September 2024

Startup San Diego

Startup San Diego’s 1st Mondays event, powered by LogicBoost Labs, returns on September 9th, 2024, at the Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education Center. This quarterly event is a cornerstone of […] The post Announcing Panelists for 1st Mondays in September 2024 appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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How Can Victims Maximize Their Compensation After a Bus Accident in California?

AllTopStartups

Bus accidents can change lives in a big way. They can have a considerable impact. Victims often face severe injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. If you’re dealing with… The post How Can Victims Maximize Their Compensation After a Bus Accident in California? appeared first on AllTopStartups.

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Mosqitter’s International Growth: A Techstars Trail Blazer | Startup Spotlight

Startup San Diego

Erika Gastelum, host of Startup Spotlight talks with Anastasiia Romanova, Founder and CEO of Mosqitter for this edition of the Startup Spotlight! Learn how this Ukrainian-born startup went from 0 […] The post Mosqitter’s International Growth: A Techstars Trail Blazer | Startup Spotlight appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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New Partnerships – LogicBoost Labs, Hopsctch, StartOut, Fresh, & Business of San Diego

Startup San Diego

We’re wrapping up the month, and we want to announce our newest community partners! These mission-aligned organizations incubate startups, create innovative designs, support LGBTQ+ founders and entrepreneurs, and tell impactful […] The post New Partnerships – LogicBoost Labs, Hopsctch, StartOut, Fresh, & Business of San Diego appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Accelerators and Important Startup Applications for Q3 2024

Startup San Diego

As we enter the third quarter of 2024, aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders have many opportunities to accelerate their business ideas and gain valuable support in San Diego. This compilation […] The post Accelerators and Important Startup Applications for Q3 2024 appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Startup San Diego Tech Report – Ep 4: What to expect for San Diego Startup Week 2024, San Diego Tech Happenings & AI Book Launch

Startup San Diego

Conference season is among us here in sunny San Diego, and we’re excited to have local tech journalists Fred Grier and Lisa Barnhouse, Executive Director at Startup San Diego, join […] The post Startup San Diego Tech Report – Ep 4: What to expect for San Diego Startup Week 2024, San Diego Tech Happenings & AI Book Launch appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Recap & Photos of our First Ever Investor & Founder Mixer with TechCon SoCal! 

Startup San Diego

Last week over 80+ attendees came together for our very first Investor & Founder Mixer at the brand new Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa. We invited local investors and founders […] The post Recap & Photos of our First Ever Investor & Founder Mixer with TechCon SoCal! appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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