socalTECH

DECEMBER 28, 2016

This holiday season, we are again sharing the reflections on 2016 from Southern California's technology ecosystem. Today's contribution is from Lawrence Ng , serial entrepreneur who, last year, founded OnRamp Fund , a $10 million incubator that invests in early stage startups. You can see all of our holiday reflections here.

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Funding Southern California Incubator Startup 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2020

Even if you ignore all the hype around crowdfunding, there can be no doubt that it is a real alternative for entrepreneurs to achieve visibility and funding today. In fact, perhaps the most important model, equity crowdfunding for non-accredited investors was only legalized via the SEC in 2016, so its impact is still in the early stages.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Outsource Development Satisfaction Equity 129

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2016

John is also very involved in providing advice to young startups and entrepreneurs. You'll be able to see all the many 2016 reflections here as they are posted. John Greathouse: We opened up our practice in San Diego by investing in Zingle and Raken. What was the biggest news from you or your firm this year?

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Cloud Computing San Diego Southern California 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Entrepreneurs who are looking to attract investors need to develop and pitch a plan -- preferably written -- that answers every potential investor question about your startup before it is asked. Investors will be looking for a sizing validated by industry analysts large enough for good investment returns.

Invest 108

Invest Startup Slides Equity 108

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2016

As a small business and startup advisor, I find that entrepreneurs often love to talk about their latest idea, but not their execution. For example, Elon Musk is recognized as a visionary entrepreneur, but his fortune and his impact has come from the great companies he has built, including SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and PayPal.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Metrics Ideas 106

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

The two men actually reached out to Rodriguez about the investment because they noticed him following fitness influencers specifically. Since its launch in 2016, Fitplan didn’t take any outside investment, relying on the money that Hamilton and Speck had accrued as nightlife entrepreneurs in Canada. ” .

Training 199

Training Social Media Los Angeles Media 199

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 164

Equity Statistics Platform Entrepreneur 164

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 8, 2016

It may seem hard to believe, but even in 2016, there remain a number of successful consumer brands that are not sold online. I thought it would be interesting to understand the challenges and concerns of entrepreneurs who began selling online for the first time in 2016, so I sat down with Heidi Muther, COO at Z S upply , LLC.

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Sites Sales Santa Barbara Design 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

JULY 24, 2016

Saturday, July 30, 2016 -- Domain Startup Summit. Domain Startup Summit was established to unite the startup, domain branding and investment industries. This unified event platform will provide up-to-date industry information and partnerships that allow entrepreneurs to brand, develop and launch successful businesses.

Startup 100

Startup Santa Monica Platform Ideas 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

JULY 24, 2016

Saturday, July 30, 2016 -- Domain Startup Summit. Domain Startup Summit was established to unite the startup, domain branding and investment industries. This unified event platform will provide up-to-date industry information and partnerships that allow entrepreneurs to brand, develop and launch successful businesses.

Startup 100

Startup Platform Entrepreneur Invest 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

With small amounts of money invested (sub $3 million) the risks are reasonably low for most VCs and the consequences of bad decisions or decisions a VC has limited say in is tolerable. And here’s an important point that I think modern entrepreneurs often forget: Investors are “co-owners” of your business.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2022

Even if you ignore all the hype around crowdfunding, there can be no doubt that it is a real alternative for entrepreneurs to achieve visibility and funding today. Equity investing is very risky, but huge returns are possible if you pick the next Facebook, but failure means your entire investment is lost. In the U.S.,

Funding 141

Funding Startup Outsource Development Satisfaction 141

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

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Invest Startup Equity Incubator 73

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2016

I had blogged when I was an entrepreneur. In 2016 I finally cracked SnapChat with the launch of Discovery. But how can you invest in technology unless you’re going to use the tools and understand them? David Tirazona (@TirazonaD) March 7, 2016. In 2008 I started VC blogging. Sometimes they’re just a bit of fun.

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Snapchat Product Startup AMA 150

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Our interview this morning with an entrepreneur is with Anthony Citrano , the founder of Los Angeles-based Acquicent (www.acquicent.com), a startup which wants to make it as easy for you to invest in museum-grade collectibles such as classic cars and art, without having to invest millions of dollars in those assets.

Startup 189

Startup Invest Class Marketing 189

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 31, 2016

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 -- UCSB Distinguished Speaker Series: Brad Feld. Brad has been an early stage investor and entrepreneur since 1987. Prior to co-founding Foundry Group (link is external), he co-founded Mobius Venture Capital and, prior to that, founded Intensity Ventures.

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Venture Capital Writing Blogging Activity 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 3, 2016

While firms define platforms differently, let’s just say they are the services that a VC offers outside of investment capital and partner time on boards or providing intros. As a starting point you have to realize that investment firms (which a VC is) have management needs.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Platform Startup Resource 150

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 4, 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 -- Will Crowdfunding Be In Your Company’s Future? this new capital formation pathway needs to be balanced with safeguards to prevent fraud and protect the investing public. Either way, the potential to unleash untold numbers of new ventures is certainly exciting for would-be entrepreneurs.

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Company Companies Equity Tool 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2017

Since we started Science six years ago, we've co-founded and invested in more than 70 companies and have exited multiple portfolio companies. So this fall, we launched Science Blockchain, a new incubator that partners with leading entrepreneurs to build a portfolio of blockchain and cryptocurrency related businesses.

Dollar Shave Club 140

Dollar Shave Club Tsavo Userplane Southern California 140

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

In my experience as an advisor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often encounter the myth that an initial startup requires investors. The media tends to highlight experienced entrepreneurs who succeed with early new venture funding, like Uber’s Garrett Camp , but fail to point out the more common bootstrapping successes.

Entrepreneur 67

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Outsource Development 67

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Successful entrepreneurs understand the difference between a good business relationship with more people and having more friends. In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, professional relationships are critical. Many entrepreneurs will admit that they get almost all of their business through relationships.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Social Network Technical Review Social Media 66

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2018

According to the 2017 Kauffman Startup Activity Index , the share of new entrepreneurs who started businesses to pursue opportunity rather than from necessity reached 86 percent, more than 12 percentage points higher than in 2009 at the height of the Great Recession. Thus a record number of entrepreneurs (and team members) are getting rich.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Satisfaction 66

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 27, 2016

TechZulu is excited to invite you to the 2016 Startup and Entrepreneur Forecast taking place Thursday, February 11 from 7 p.m. We will have amazing panelists from Crosscut Ventures, Machine Shop Ventures, Techstars, and more to be announced soon who will share their insights and forecast for startups in 2016.

Startup 40

Startup Santa Monica Venture Capital SaaS 40

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2016

I’m a practical guy, so I recognize that expecting the real world to be fair is a dream that every entrepreneur needs to put aside as they reach the age of majority. Every investor has a risk bias against specific innovation types based on investment experience. Marty Zwilling First published on Entrepreneur.com on 04/01/2016.

Entrepreneur 57

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Training 57

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I’d like to explain as best I can my opinion on what is going on because most of what I hear from entrepreneurs is not only wrong but is reminiscent of what I heard in 1997-2000. ” “This will be great for VCs and bad for entrepreneurs.” What is the True Sentiment of VCs? ” “Sure, prices are dropping.

Startup 150

Startup Company Companies Venture Capital 150

socalTECH

DECEMBER 28, 2017

This morning, we have a contribution from investor and investment banker Peter Cowen of Sutton Capital Partners. Sutton Capital Partners is a technology investment banking firm and we are, investors in local SaaS/subscription companies and is well known as the host of the annual Recurring Revenue Conference.

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Capital Southern California SaaS SoCal 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2018

Editor's note: All this week, and into the start of next year, we'll be featuring reflections on 2018 from notable investors, entrepreneurs, and others from Southern California's technology community. Our investment in PlayVS and the subsequent launch of their Season Zero high school e-sports platform was very exciting.

Dollar Shave Club 113

Dollar Shave Club Tsavo Userplane Malibu 113

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 29, 2023

While the market isn't short of spritely, innovative entrepreneurs, harsh economic headwinds combined with a pullback in investor spending have made it harder than ever for budding businesses to break through. 2023 hasn't been an easy year to be a startup. Vibrant Planet's Land Tender tool.

Startup 194

Startup Generative AI Newsletter Tool 194

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Thus the top priority of every entrepreneur who wants funding should be to build and highlight their “dream team” of co-founders, executives and advisers, to attract the biggest and best investors. Solo entrepreneurs rarely find an investor. Investors talk to each other and they love warm introductions to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review 60

socalTECH

MARCH 23, 2016

A new survey, released this week by Silicon Valley Bank, finds that even as the availability of venture capital in Southern California is tightening, and lofty unicorn valuations are declining, startup entrepreneurs are still optimistic about the future of technology in the region.

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Southern California Venture Capital Capital SoCal 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. Thus I was pleased and a bit surprised to see a new book, “ The Purpose Is Profit ,” by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin, an entrepreneur who has both succeeded and failed in starting multiple businesses.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Ideas Pricing Customer 58

Tech.Co

JANUARY 28, 2016

Then register for the FundingPost Investor RoundTable on February 4th, 2016 at 2:00pm. The first 25 entrepreneur attendees to sign up will also get the option to pitch their business idea in 1 min or less in front of the investor panel and receive feedback as a group from the panel.

Los Angeles 70

Los Angeles Angel Venture Capital Writing 70

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

It only takes one person come up with a great startup idea, but in my experience as an investor, it’s a rare entrepreneur who has all the skills and resources to build a business as well as a solution. It’s easier to move before you have big local investments and people dependencies. Many entrepreneurs outside the U.S.

Ideas 60

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Examples 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 26, 2016

6 Entrepreneurs share their predictions for this year’s evolution of online industries, which will be key for small businesses across the globe in 2016. The industry will continue to invest heavily in educating people and convincing them to try internet security products (free versions & life-time trials).

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Commerce Mobile Technical Review Google 40

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2016

I found this illustrated well in a new book I just finished, “ A Paperboy’s Fable ,” by a young entrepreneur and writer Deep Patel. Although just seventeen years old, Patel has some great insights that I can extrapolate for every aspiring entrepreneur to answer the most common question I get as an advisor and mentor – “Where do I start?”

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Social Media Satisfaction Customer 99

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

As we noted in our survey of more than 150 VCs we know in the industry, many saw drops in Q4 valuations last year with nearly all of them projecting decreases in 2016. We entrepreneurs have been spinning that line for decades in every boom cycle. This prudence is smart and welcomed. It’s simply not true.

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Startup Pricing Venture Capital Statistics 150