Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 1, 2016

It’s a new year – 2016. We want to invest in early-stage technology enabled startup businesses – upfront in the funding cycle. In fact, 90% of our investments are either Seed or A-round investments (10% are B-round). We try to recruit investment partners who bring startup operating experience.

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Startup Coach Course Invest 150

Berkonomics

MARCH 9, 2017

We have years of real data to call upon: data that impacts both investors and entrepreneurs. For 2016 alone, there are two reliable sources of recent data for us to examine. And that is after investment, not after a company’s starting up. Way above market investment returns. Investing in a young company is risky.

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Startup Statistics Tech Coast Angels Study 266

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. How big and growing is the total market and your target segment? They like billion-dollar markets with double-digit growth rates.

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Invest Startup Slides Equity 108

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 6, 2017

Yet as we enter February 2017 the VC funding markets are booming, Snap, Inc has filed for its IPO, AppDynamics was just purchased for $3.7 But the reality is that “global warming” massively blunted the effects of winter and my prognosis for VC fundings of entrepreneurs in 2017–2018 is now very sunny indeed.

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Venture Capital Capital Funding Startup 150

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

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 24, 2015

If you didn’t notice that the stock markets in the US dropped nearly 4% today (after falling last Thursday and Friday) then you were probably completely off-the-grid and on vacation. And by this I assume he meant that “market prognosticator twitter” was vomitous. It was a nerve racking morning. Neither do I.

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Marketing Venture Capital Startup Invest 150

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. Source: runwayml.com In June, Runway raised $141 million in funding, nudging its market valuation to an envy-inducing $1.5

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Startup Generative AI Newsletter Tool 213

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2023

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. That’s not as high as the failure rate with professional investors, but it should convince entrepreneurs that crowdfunding is still no panacea for funding.

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Equity Platform Entrepreneur Statistics 80

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.

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Equity Statistics Platform Entrepreneur 164

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.

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Startup Invest Class Marketing 189

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

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. More professional connections means more credibility, more insight into the market and more customer clout.

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Entrepreneur Social Network Technical Review Social Media 66

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. Examples of VC platform services include: recruiting, marketing, design support, inside sales reps, consulting, accounting services and so forth.

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Venture Capital Platform Startup Resource 150

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Mark Zuckerberg made an unannounced visit to Lagos, Nigeria last week on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. His first visit was at Creation Hub (Cchub) innovation center in Lagos where he engaged with kids at a summer coding camp as well as other entrepreneurs visiting the center to build and launch their apps.

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Marketing Startup Entrepreneur Invest 40

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.

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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.

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Startup Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review 60

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.

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Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

They de-risk hardware companies by focusing on the team, the technology, the market, and the manufacturing with their in-house experts as well as their global network. Perks include office space, prototype lab, production facilities, mentoring, and investments up to $150,000 in the first 4 months. Industrial designer in residence.

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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.

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Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Examples 60

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.

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Dollar Shave Club Tsavo Userplane Southern California 140

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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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2017

Every business needs their own evangelists, as a powerful marketing force, and as an early warning for new opportunities. As an entrepreneur, you are the brand, and with the pervasive Internet, you can’t hide behind a logo. Market to customer emotions as well as absolute logic. Become a visible and chief evangelist yourself.

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Customer Custom Marketing Startup 56

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

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 26, 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. We had great news in 2018 from the companies weve invested in and supportive over the years. Here's Jim Andelman of Bonfire Ventures.

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Southern California SoCal Venture Capital News 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2016

Others, like Guy Kawasaki , have irreverently called some of these “entrepreneur lies,” but I prefer to think of them as innocent enhancements or omissions that can kill your deal. It takes a huge upfront investment to attract users, before advertisers are interested. Target market sizing higher than $10 billion. Skip the hype.

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Funding Startup Innocal Entrepreneur 98

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Coming up with a new idea, and launching your startup is one thing, three entrepreneurs do this every second. 2016 looks set to be a sobering year for the growth of startups in the world in contrast with the highs of 2015. A business leader should always be connected to the market, and ask themselves how they can constantly improve.

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Entrepreneur Startup Framework Ideas 40

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 14, 2014

It’s why the first company I ever invested in as a VC – Invoca – just announced a $20 million funding by Accel Partners. It’s why opt-in marketing databases can be so incredibly valuable for companies like Gilt Groupe, One King’s Lane and AdoreMe. Much more data in the full post. PHONE CALLS.

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Email SaaS Venture Capital Google 339

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2016

When entrepreneurs introduce new products to the market, their passion and conviction often leads them to assume that every potential customer will see the immediate need and value, and will quickly adopt the solution. In today’s information overload, marketing is everything. Use every marketing channel available.

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Product Case Study Customer Custom 95

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2016

After many years of working with angel investors seriously trying to find new ventures worthy of their hard-earned money, I find their frustration often exceeds that of entrepreneurs sincerely looking for financial help. The most investable ventures stem from painful needs by customers who have money to spend.

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Entrepreneur Invest Funding Patents 57

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.

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Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

socalTECH

MAY 10, 2018

Behzad Kianmahd: Cross Campus is one of the companies I invested in, as the first, lead investor, about seven years ago. How is it that you're investing in a fund out of Israel connected with Tel Aviv University? It was the Summer of 2016, if I'm not mistaken. Tell us a bit about your involvement with Cross Campus?

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El Segundo Southern California Startup Santa Monica 100

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?”

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Entrepreneur Social Media Satisfaction Customer 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Whether you are talking to peers, competitors or investors, you as an active entrepreneur will be judged on your familiarity with today’s startup and funding jargon. In that context, I offer you my latest collection of popular investor-to-entrepreneur terms and concepts. Frothy is good for entrepreneurs. Seed-round investment.

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Startup Software Review Equity Invest 57

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

As a startup advisor, I see too many entrepreneurs get distracted by technology or their favorite cause, and then wonder why they can’t find an investor, attract customers, or build a long-term business. Marty Zwilling First published on Forbes on 09/05/2016.

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Customer Custom Competition Netflix 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 27, 2016

There is an old saying in the startup investor community, “Smart investors invest in the team, not the idea.” As an angel investor, I’ve learned to believe in this approach, since I have seen great ideas go astray, due to poor execution and I have seen apparently marginal ideas make millions, managed by a savvy entrepreneur.

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Ideas Technical Review Entrepreneur Advertising 53

Xconomy

OCTOBER 25, 2016

According to the National Venture Capital Association and PitchBook , this past quarter $15 billion was invested in 1,810 deals , which compares unfavorably to both the prior quarter ($22.1 billion, 2,559 deals), signaling perhaps a period of digestion given how much had been invested during the 2014-2015 window.

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