Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

I usually envision a 50-50 ownership split for their efforts, but every engineer believes the technology side deserves the majority share. If you consider yourself a technologist, you probably believe and may be propagating one of the following myths: The first priority for funding should be to develop the technology.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Patents Entrepreneur Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2015

Professional investors and advisors, on the other hand, usually refuse to sign these agreements today due to the risk of litigation and administrative workload, and will walk away. Disclosures relative to patents. Potential investors don’t need this data, except perhaps as part of a final due diligence after agreement on terms.

Ideas 106

Ideas Technical Review Patents Entrepreneur 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2015

I see too many executive summaries that are simply heavy-duty customer pitches, or lightweight visions of the future. Skip the fuzzy marketing terms, such as "easier to use," "lower cost" and "disruptive technology." Nice-to-have solutions and customers with no money are not compelling.

Summary 101

Summary Patents Technical Review Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2015

Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. Equally bad is a full tutorial on your new disruptive technology. Investors are more interested in your solution and your business, rather than your technology. Remember you are pitching to investors, not customers.

Slides 105

Slides Technical Review Startup Research 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Too many entrepreneurs look for that one magic bullet -- an exciting new technology, perhaps, or their own determination to make the world a better place -- to override any shortcomings in their startup model. A near-term customer value proposition. In all cases, you need customer support, formal processes and training in place.

Pricing 100

Pricing Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2013

Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation. Equally bad is an extended pitch on your new disruptive technology. Investors are more interested in your solution and your business, rather than your technology. Remember you are pitching to investors, not customers.

Angel 102

Angel Funding Slides Technical Review 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

If your strength is technology, find a co-founder who has a comparable strength in business, finance or marketing. Entrepreneurs who have no patents, trade secrets or trademarks are usually deemed non-fundable and non-competitive. Demonstrate a concentrated focus on customers early on.

Entrepreneur 59

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Ideas 59