Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

He is very hands-on and helpful – especially for any company looking into customer acquisition. o CPM model gave him control over the information in the acquisition cycle so he focused on that. - On Entrepreneurship: What makes a great entrepreneur? [if On Entrepreneurship: What makes a great entrepreneur?

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2017

Being called a lifestyle entrepreneur should be a point of pride, not an insult. This usually means not taking money from equity investors, since investors want fast growth, high profits, and an exit event, to allow investments to be recouped. Non-equity funding has to come from personal sources, or government grants, or bank loans.

Entrepreneur 69

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Course 69

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2015

The visibility of Google, Facebook and a few others continues to propagate the myth that the ultimate objective of every entrepreneur should be to take their startups public via an initial public offering at the earliest opportunity. Even with private equity and private acquisition transactions, control stays internal to the principals.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Report Statistics 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2015

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. Personalize your presentation, if possible, for every investor.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 106

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. Over the last four years, I watched numerous entrepreneurs raise equity. What was the biggest news for your company in 2018?

Southern California 133

Southern California SoCal Culver City Venture Capital 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 6, 2020

It seems that most of you entrepreneurs I meet in my role as business advisor are convinced that starting a new business requires equity investors, exponential growth, and a plan to go public via IPO. If your passion is customers, you definitely will be happier as a lifestyle entrepreneur.

Statistics 124

Statistics Equity Satisfaction Entrepreneur 124

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2021

Yet as a business advisor I am convinced that making the jump from a startup to a the next unicorn takes a different mindset, and actions most entrepreneurs are reluctant to face. Of course, that means a mindset willing to give up much more equity, and taking on a whole new level of risk.

Startup 151

Startup Course Sales Entrepreneur 151

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 16, 2011

Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed, however, the firm said that private equity firm JMI Equity has provided it funding in support of the transaction. JMI Equity General Partner Peter Arrowsmith and Vice President David Greenberg have joined Resource Nation's board as part of the acquisition.

Resource 178

Resource Southern California Santa Monica Equity 178

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs. Note the growth of your team and your own leadership.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

socalTECH

JANUARY 15, 2014

Common Asset was backed by Los Angeles private equity investor U.S. Jim McDermott--a longtime serial entrepreneur and investor in Southern California--was Chairman of Common Assets up until the purchase. solarcity common assets usre renewables mcdermott merger acquisition solar power cleantech' Renewables Group. READ MORE>>.

Southern California 138

Southern California Los Angeles Acquisition Equity 138

socalTECH

JUNE 24, 2010

Los Angeles-based CapLinked , an online startup developing software to help link entrepreneurs with their investors, has raised $350,000 in an equity investment round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Tags: caplinked paypal mafia venture capital investment startup entrepreneur. READ MORE>>.

Venture Capital 243

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Equity Invest 243

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2021

When an entrepreneur first incorporates a business, they may find themselves the proud owner of 10 million shares of common stock, commonly called founder’s shares. Startup owners need to assume a three to five year wait for a liquidity event, such as acquisition or going public, before they can cash out. In the U.S.,

Startup 119

Startup Entrepreneur Acquisition Demand 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2010

Non-organic growth would include OEM relationships, finding strategic partners, “coopetition,” as well as acquisitions. Even mergers and acquisitions (M&A) came early. These relationships need not require cash investments; often they are done with exchanges of equity or assets. Economies of scale. Marty Zwilling.

Acquisition 85

Acquisition Startup Organization Competition 85

Xconomy

JANUARY 7, 2020

When a group of scientists from Amira Pharmaceuticals wanted to start a new biotech after the company’s 2011 acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb , Celgene provided seed funding. Eventually Celgene kicked in $35 million more for a research collaboration, an equity stake, and an exclusive option to acquire the startup, PharmAkea Therapeutics.

Seed Funding 63

Seed Funding Equity Research Acquisition 63

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. The ride has been fun, but I need my money out to start the next big thing.”

Funding 125

Funding Startup Ideas Equity 125

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Many entrepreneurs I know are confused by the definition and need for an Advisory Board versus a Board of Directors. Shultz provides a set of considerations that I recommend to every entrepreneur for deciding when and how to create the board that has the most value to a specific CEO and a specific business.

Allegis 139

Allegis Startup Acquisition Entrepreneur 139

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Technical Review Course Patents 117

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Greathouse: Your collective experiences have clearly made bootstrapping a viable option for you, more so than might be the case for a typical, younger entrepreneur who needs more direction, doesn’t have cash discipline, etc. We focus very much on finding employees who are a cultural fit and we share equity when appropriate.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. Personalize your presentation, if possible, for every investor.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 127

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 6, 2023

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. Startup equity investments imply a long-term business relationship, lasting an average of five years.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 118

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. A passionate entrepreneur I met a while back had found that a certain algae could be grown cheaply, and could end world hunger.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2020

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs. Note the growth of your team and your own leadership.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

socalTECH

OCTOBER 9, 2012

The bible of entertainment industry news, Variety , has been acquired by Internet entrepreneur Jay Penske, via his firm, Penske Media , the companies said today. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. Penske acquired Variety from parent firm Reed Business Information, which is part of Reed Elsevier.

Media 150

Media News Entertainment Hollywood 150

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Non-organic growth would include OEM relationships, finding strategic partners, “coopetition,” as well as acquisitions. Even mergers and acquisitions (M&A) came early. These relationships need not require cash investments; often they are done with exchanges of equity or assets. Economies of scale.

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Organization Startup Competition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Angel Technical Review Course 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2019

Being called a lifestyle entrepreneur should be a point of pride, not an insult. This usually means not taking money from equity investors, since investors want fast growth, high profits, and an exit event, to allow investments to be recouped. Non-equity funding has to come from personal sources, or government grants, or bank loans.

Startup 77

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Course 77

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). This is the exit stage for the entrepreneur, and for all earlier investors. The ride has been fun, but I need my money out to start the next big thing.”

Startup 148

Startup Ideas Equity Invest 148

SoCal Tech Calendar

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

Now currently a Managing Director at growth equity firm General Atlantic, Ray will be the keynote presenter at this special OCTANE event. Specific points to be discussed include: Is this a good time to consider acquisitions? Key factors in positioning to achieve highest value in MandA situations; 5 common pitfalls of bad acquisitions.

OCTANE 100

OCTANE Conference Acquisition Equity 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Xconomy

OCTOBER 5, 2017

Ad-Juster, a San Diego adtech startup acquired earlier this year by the investment arm of China’s Innotech International Group, Wednesday named local software entrepreneur Dennis Clerke as CEO. He succeeds Ad-Juster founder and president Mike Lewis, who has left the company. Read more » Reprints | Share: UNDERWRITERS AND PARTNERS.

San Diego 52

San Diego Equity Advertising Acquisition 52

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. Startup equity investments imply a long-term business relationship, lasting an average of five years.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2019

He saw that the cost of acquisition for many, many different businesses were going through the roof, week after week. We saw that they were hitting the inflection point, where they were spending more than they were receiving from customer acquisition. That's where I saw the problem we are solving at Retina.

Dollar Shave Club 113

Dollar Shave Club Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2017

Retain maximum equity by requesting minimal funding. In every business there are crises every day that can prevent you from seeing the more important issues – including customer acquisition costs, competitive challenges, and new market opportunities. Moderate business conflict is constructive and should be embraced.

Entrepreneur 72

Entrepreneur Competition Customer Custom 72

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. You'll be able to browse all of those contributions here. Our first is with Andy Wilson of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation. Happy Holidays!

Southern California 113

Southern California SoCal Pasadena Startup 113

Tech Coast Venture Network

FEBRUARY 25, 2011

TCVN, a nonprofit technology group, was founded in 1984 to educate and assist entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies in Orange County and to connect them with money, advice and other resources to help their businesses grow. Foley has founded or been an equity partner in several companies. He is currently CEO of PitchMeTV.

TCVN 113

TCVN Orange County Southern California News 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2015

I challenge any entrepreneur, for example, to define the difference between "seed-stage" and "early-stage" financing. Most investors won’t touch a first-time entrepreneur at this stage. These funders often offer convertible notes, rather than the traditional priced equity. Business accelerator funding.

Funding 104

Funding Venture Capital Startup Seed Funding 104