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. That requires work and risk to comply with reporting requirements of the SEC, including the additional accounting and reporting processes.

Startup 151

Startup Course Sales Entrepreneur 151

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. Most startup founders don’t relish the thought of managing repeatable processes, greedy stockholders, and endless regulation reports.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

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. There is no substitute for knowing your business.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 106

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 8, 2014

” It’s the most common refrain I hear from investors and even entrepreneurs these days. I think there is also no denying the role that Richard Rosenblatt has played in building the LA tech ecosystem and spawning great entrepreneurs who followed in his footsteps. “There’s something going on in LA.”

Entrepreneur 376

Entrepreneur Snapchat Startup Google 376

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2022

In the old days, every entrepreneur planned on taking their startup public, and making it big. Smart entrepreneurs are now starting to look at this option again, as well as the challenges of running a public company. Public companies of any size must comply immediately with the full reporting requirements of the SEC.

Startup 98

Startup Report IBM IBM 98

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

With the current volatile economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. This approach is thus not viable for entrepreneurs already out of money. Increased jeopardy and less fun for the entrepreneur. Yet reverse mergers are not all bad.

Funding 104

Funding Summary Entrepreneur Acquisition 104

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. Metrics related to customer acquisition, lifetime value and churn.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. I once met with an entrepreneur who had developed a new algae strain to cure world hunger and make him rich.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

InfoChachkie

MAY 5, 2016

Given TimeHop’s failed experiment, I was especially intrigued when I learned that a team of a dozen remote entrepreneurs hack the typical corporate structure and creates a company that generated nearly $100 million in revenue. Dan Engel, Co-Founder and former CEO of FastSpring, is a highly successful serial entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Santa Barbara Email Outsource Development 100

socalTECH

JULY 23, 2012

There's been a surge in startup accelerator activity in Los Angeles in the last year, as interest in starting a company in the region has grown, and a wide range of experienced entrepreneurs and investors have pitched in to help companies get to the next level.

Los Angeles 234

Los Angeles Angel Report Startup 234

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. There is no substitute for knowing your business.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 127

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2009

Hint: He was an entrepreneur. The same is true of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is so highly valued in the Western World that some people try to convince themselves that they are an entrepreneur, when in fact they would be better off at a Big Dumb Company (“BDC”). Entrepreneur Does Not Equal Inventor.

Entrepreneur 153

Entrepreneur Ideas Writing Startup 153

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. With Sarbanes-Oxley, the CEO, CFO, and the Board of Directors are all assumed to have full knowledge of all government standards of compliance and reporting. Annual reporting and audit requirements continue to increase.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 22, 2018

Recognizing the tens of billions of dollars that the Southern Californian region leaves on the table, because it hasn’t taken its rightful place in the American technology industry, a new group called the Alliance for Southern California Innovation has just released a report to analyze how SoCal can work to assume its pole position.

Southern California 224

Southern California Dollar Shave Club SoCal Develop 224

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. With Sarbanes-Oxley, the CEO, CFO, and the Board of Directors are all assumed to have full knowledge of all government standards of compliance and reporting. Annual reporting and audit requirements continue to increase.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2019

With the current strong economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. This approach is thus not viable for entrepreneurs already out of money. Increased jeopardy and less fun for the entrepreneur. Being a public company isn’t cheap or easy.

Summary 121

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 121

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

That’s according to a report being released today by Connect, the local nonprofit group focused on technology and entrepreneurship. The Connect Innovation Report found that 405 software, technology, and life sciences startups were created last year in San Diego County.

San Diego 40

San Diego Report High Tech Study 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2020

Yet I believe the trend will continue at least flat as entrepreneurs become more aware of other considerations that make the IPO route less and less attractive. You better have lined up a major international expansion, some major acquisition candidates, or a wealth of unfilled orders. New stockholders will expect to see rapid growth.

Startup 127

Startup Technical Review Acquisition Study 127

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Peter Adderton , the founder of Boost Mobile , the prepaid cell phone provider now owned by Sprint , is looking to buy back the company for up to $2 billion, according to reports.

Mobile 113

Mobile Southern California Company Companies 113

Berkonomics

APRIL 4, 2019

On the other side, entrepreneurs and CEO’s usually have a natural fear of giving too much information to us investors after the initial investment is received. Shareholders may vote on other issues during the year by written consent, including acquisitions, stock issuance, changes to the articles of incorporation and bylaws, and more.

Class 120

Class Course Report Competition 120

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 13, 2013

As the trade association for the digital music industry, digitalmusic.org has developed this program to specifically help entrepreneurs, app developers, and music startups to break the barriers of entry into the music business.

Startup 100

Startup Los Angeles Content Acquisition 100

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

It’s what life was like as an entrepreneur. But this is nothing like the stress of being an entrepreneur. What’s it really like being an entrepreneur? You probably follow some high-profile entrepreneurs on Instagram and Twitter and see conference pictures of them in Davos, Mexico, Monaco or wherever.

Blogging 420

Blogging Press Entrepreneur Venture Capital 420

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. Their report crystallized the opportunity and pathways to moving SoCal forward as one of the leading global innovation ecosystem.

Southern California 113

Southern California SoCal Pasadena Startup 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 8, 2021

“Intrapreneurs” are entrepreneurs inside big companies, who do corporate spin-offs. Contrary to popular belief, according to a report by A. For entrepreneurs, this analysis should be a positive message, but it should also be a wake-up call to the overriding value of leadership and effective communication.

Company 125

Company Companies Startup Examples 125

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2011

Contrary to popular belief, according to a report by A. Airlines, for example, have difficulty scaling up through mergers and acquisitions (M&As), but they can spin off their maintenance businesses and let the spin-off do the M&A in its own field. They may not be so constrained by monopoly fears and Sarbanes-Oxley controls.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Examples Startup Services 93

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

As an entrepreneur I never really knew what to make of VC return data. Here’s what I know: Most entrepreneurs I know would love to work with A16Z. Simple: it is value-added for both entrepreneur and co-investor. Does A16Z attract more than its fair share of amazingly talented entrepreneurs? Do they win competitive deals?

Venture Capital 264

Venture Capital Invest Funding Competition 264

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. Most startup founders don’t relish the thought of managing repeatable processes, greedy stockholders, and endless regulation reports.

Startup 98

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2022

Start by reviewing current statistics, like the recent Social Media Marketing Benchmark Report 2022 , to learn which social media sites are most popular, which features drive the most impact today, and how other social media marketers have maximized their efforts and seen the greatest ROI. Pick the ones that fit your desired outcome.

Social Media 135

Social Media Framework Media Metrics 135

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 23, 2013

There are a lot of valuation companies out there, so I know many entrepreneurs are tempted to just shop around until they find the lowest price, but this is a mistake. AICPA-compliant valuation reports. You know you need one. What you may not know is that it really does matter who performs your valuation. Variety of approaches.

Company 102

Company Companies Startup Acquisition 102

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. With customer acquisition costs (CAC) rising significantly across most products, one company experimented with a few low-cost initiatives.

Capital 100

Capital SoCal Southern California SaaS 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2018

With the current strong economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. This approach is not for entrepreneurs already out of money. Increased jeopardy and less fun for the entrepreneur. Being a public company isn’t cheap or easy.

Summary 79

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 79

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. With Sarbanes-Oxley, the CEO, CFO, and the Board of Directors are all assumed to have full knowledge of all government standards of compliance and reporting. Annual reporting and audit requirements continue to increase.

Startup 89

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 89

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

One or more of the following parameters are viewed by most investors as traction indicators, but good entrepreneurs are often creative and define their own to supplement these: Start with sales to-date for a priced offering. Customer acquisition cost. Start early to work these relationships.

Startup 121

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 121

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2014

With the uptick in the economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. This approach is not for entrepreneurs already out of money. Increased jeopardy and less fun for the entrepreneur. Being a public company isn’t cheap or easy.

Funding 98

Funding Startup Entrepreneur Summary 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2015

With the uptick in the economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. This approach is not for entrepreneurs already out of money. Increased jeopardy and less fun for the entrepreneur. Being a public company isn’t cheap or easy.

Funding 102

Funding Summary Startup Entrepreneur 102

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

socalTECH

DECEMBER 11, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (www.sycr.com) Sponsoring socalTECH's Orange County High Tech Report. Thanks to all of our sponsors, who make our coverage of Southern California's technology industry possible: Sponsors. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com).

Southern California 133

Southern California IP Orange County Glendale 133