Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2020

As I was watching the investor show, Shark Tank , on TV the other night, I was struck by how quickly and how extensively the sharks focused on the background and character of the entrepreneurs, compared to time spent evaluating their products. Today’s world of business is highly driven by social issues and environmental concerns.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

A continuing question I hear from young entrepreneurs is whether a university degree is important to startup success, or just a distraction in achieving their purpose in the world. Both provide entrepreneurial “head start” programs for aspiring entrepreneurs, free legal guidance, and access to experienced staff members.

Entrepreneur 157

Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

In my role as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I find that most have the technical challenges well understood, but many are a bit short on some basic street smarts , or basic business realities. Strategic planning is a required ongoing investment. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 12/15/2020.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2020

The Tech Coast Angels says it has launched a new, annual fund, and is continuing to invest--despite the pandemic. The angel group, the largest in the nation, said it invested over $19M in 2019, in part due to a similar fund created by its San Diego chapter, the TCA-San Diego, last year.

Tech Coast Angels 113

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Los Angeles Angel 113

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 12, 2022

In January 2020, the company was in discussions with Whole Foods about launching a pilot of its meals in a few stores. He and Chan had to make some tough decisions, including streamlining a lot of the business and costs, and unfortunately letting staff go. However, there was a silver lining for Positive Food.

Invest 175

Invest Los Angeles Startup Funding 175

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Even though I’m a big proponent of becoming an entrepreneur, it is definitely not for everyone. In my view, entrepreneur roles need to be planned carefully rather than made on the spur of the moment. Adopt the Silicon Valley entrepreneur family model. Test your entrepreneur instincts through crowdfunding.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2020

As an angel investor in startups, I’m a believer that smart investors invest more in you as the entrepreneur than the next billion dollar solution you are pitching. Certainly, investors want to see a financially attractive opportunity and return projection, but also want entrepreneurs who can take it to the next level.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Metrics 124

TechCrunch LA

JANUARY 26, 2020

The Los Angeles startup community is joining the rest of the world in mourning the death of NBA superstar, entrepreneur and investor Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., Bryant launched his venture career with partner and serial entrepreneur Jeff Stibel back in 2013, according to Crunchbase.

Venture Capital 359

Venture Capital Los Angeles Legalzoom Calabasas 359

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

The road to becoming an entrepreneur is a journey , and it’s not a short trip. Every entrepreneur starts by accepting the reality that you have a rare mindset of joy of discovery, with an intense curiosity about how certain things or people work, or why a new technology hasn’t yet been accepted. The right culture is the key.

Entrepreneur 139

Entrepreneur Help Incubator Startup 139

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. I’m now convinced that serious entrepreneurs relish the startup process more than success.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

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. million it generated in 2020. 2023 hasn't been an easy year to be a startup. Vibrant Planet's Land Tender tool.

Startup 213

Startup Generative AI Newsletter Tool 213

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2020

Although most people believe that being a successful entrepreneur is all about having the right idea, I’m convinced from my years of experience as a startup advisor and investor that’s it’s more about you as a person. The best entrepreneurs are not just dreamers of the next big thing – they have to be great facilitators and problem solvers.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Blogging Examples Customer 129

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have new ideas on a regular basis, and find it hard deciding which to pursue, or try to tackle several at the same time. Good examples of initial focus by an entrepreneur would include Jeff Bezos when he started Amazon as an online marketplace for books only, and Elon Musk starting PayPal as an online bank.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. Invest your time in networking online, as well as offline. Every future entrepreneur should start by networking.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Companies are making it easier than ever for individuals to bank, save, and invest for their future. READ MORE>>.

Invest 189

Invest News Technology Services 189

SoCal Tech Calendar

JULY 14, 2020

Monday, July 20, 2020 -- How Equity Crowdfunding helps achieve Success. We will further dive into what entrepreneurs need to know before embarking on a capital raise via equity crowdfunding and, conversely, best investment practices. See [link] (more)

Equity 100

Equity Help Platform Entrepreneur 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 4, 2020

Monday, August 10, 2020 -- JoiValuation Trends and Insights with John Harbison, Chairman Emeritus of TCA. At this point in the investment cycle (entering a deep recession), valuation expectations are all over the map and the stakes are high -- missteps can be fatal. See [link] (more)

Demand 100

Demand Entrepreneur Invest Capital 100

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 11, 2020

It is a company with a mission to create better access and more funding for Black entrepreneurs and executives. And Black entrepreneurs wanted access to decision makers but didn’t always have the easy connections. in this video from the 2020 Upfront Summit. So let’s get it. Guy Primus, CEO of Valence Valence. And Ahmaud Arbery.

Funding 314

Funding Venture Capital Entrepreneur Networking 314

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. This was the cumulation of several years as an entrepreneur based in Pasadena growing clean energy technology companies.

Capital 100

Capital Artificial Inteligence Venture Capital Southern California 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2021

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Rose, according to his classic book, “ Angel Investing.” All startups always need more money.

Funding 144

Funding Startup .Net Invest 144

socalTECH

DECEMBER 23, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Backtracks and other killer companies will create significant value as the podcast ecosystem accelerates in 2020. Since 2010, $6.3B

Capital 100

Capital Technical Review Truecar Venture Capital 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. While not usually as nimble as a small start-up, corporations can pivot to take advantage of opportunities to engage if they see a return on investment.

SoCal 140

SoCal Southern California Startup Venture Capital 140

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2019

According to current Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship , the share of new entrepreneurs who started businesses to pursue opportunity rather than from necessity now exceeds 86%, more than 12 percentage points higher than ten years ago at the height of the last recession. Social media is a boon for entrepreneurs and startups.

Startup 128

Startup Social Media Satisfaction Entrepreneur 128

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2020

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. I predict SoCal will continue to grow, but in 2020 more companies nationwideand herewill not get the funding they need.

Capital 100

Capital SoCal Southern California SaaS 100

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 19, 2020

Laurent Grill, one of the investors at Luma Launch (which is the corporate investment arm of the film studio Luma Pictures), has been working in the Los Angeles venture community building and backing startups for about a decade. If you are a company raising or investor investing, please go to this link to submit your information.

Venture Capital 135

Venture Capital Capital Technical Review Los Angeles 135

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2020

As a long-time advisor to entrepreneurs, and a former angel myself, I still find startups confused about the definition of an angel investor, and how and when to attract one. You need to know why and how they invest, and then focus on the ones who are the best match for your startup. They expect a high return on a long-term investment.

Angel 129

Angel Invest Ideas Entrepreneur 129

SoCal Tech Calendar

MAY 1, 2011

Saturday, May 7, 2011 -- Renewable Energy and the Smarter Grid: Opportunities for the Entrepreneur. As aggressive policies and vigorous investments take hold, newer and smarter technology is rolling out. As aggressive policies and vigorous investments take hold, newer and smarter technology is rolling out.

Enterprise Forum 100

Enterprise Forum Entrepreneur CalTech Startup 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. In late 2018 we shifted the model to include a cash investment in cohort companies. It is incredibly exciting!

News 113

News LAVA Startup Incubator 113

socalTECH

JULY 22, 2019

There are lots of resources available to entrepreneurs in the industry, but they are not necessarily that easy to access, whether that's deep insight into how to work with the government or with NASA, or how to work with the big primes, we felt that we could help create that resource. Mattt Kozlov: Yes, it's a three month format.

Southern California 124

Southern California Startup Entrepreneur Los Angeles 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2019

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Growing our practice from 3 original partners who would meet at coffee shops into a full institutional investing platform is a constant evolution.

Southern California 100

Southern California News Platform Class 100

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 5, 2022

A few minutes away from downtown Atlanta, Collab Studio ATL describes itself as “a tech-based one-stop shop for content creators, HBCU students and young entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals.” A post shared by Collab Studios (@collabstudiosatl). Image Credits: Robiiiworld (Brandy Merriweather via BStarPR).

Platform 210

Platform Netflix Social Media Content 210

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

As an advisor to new hardware entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that a business plan is no longer required to find an investor, if your idea is good enough. What you don’t realize is these famous investors only deal with entrepreneurs who sold their last company for a $100M dollars or more.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 31, 2021

“The climate-oriented investment in Biden’s new plan would be roughly ten times what came through ARRA,” wrote Shayle Kann, a partner with the investment firm, Energy Impact Partners. ” Climate resiliency . Given the steady drumbeat of climate disasters that hit the U.S.

Startup 229

Startup Technical Review Invest Research 229

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

For some reason, too many aspiring entrepreneurs I know seem to focus on “actions” rather than “results.” These are not the entrepreneurs that I want to support, since I’m well aware that running a startup is far more complex, albeit more satisfying, than most conventional roles in established enterprises.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2020

As an investor, innovation is a term I certainly like to hear these days, but many of you entrepreneurs try to take it to the next level, by claiming to have a “ disruptive innovation.” Within all large markets, there are many opportunities for smaller innovations that don’t require a huge investment.

Startup 129

Startup Artificial Inteligence Examples Google 129

socalTECH

DECEMBER 31, 2018

Editor's note: As we head into the new year, we've been featuring reflections on 2018 from notable investors, entrepreneurs, and others from Southern California's technology community. While the tech industry has historically remained comparatively removed from the process, 2019 will be a much different year leading into the 2020 elections.

Venture Capital 113

Venture Capital Capital Southern California News 113

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

She created and launched an overall brand and a swim collection , then came the book deal ( “This is Not a Fashion Story: Taking Chances, Breaking Rules, and Being a Boss in the Big City” is expected out May 2020). Naturally, the next step in Bernstein’s evolution from blogger to businesswoman was a technology startup.

Platform 170

Platform Marketing Tool Venture Capital 170