Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2022

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. Start in a business domain you know well.

Startup 120

Startup Invest Equity Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

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. Start in a business domain you know well.

Startup 87

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

If there are conflicts within the team, or differing views of the strategy, or evidence of missing processes and tools, the investment process will likely be terminated. Make yourself available to answer any questions, show your enthusiasm, and explain both the positives and negatives of the external investment process.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

TechEmpower

AUGUST 21, 2023

We provide you with a report, written for a business audience, that includes: Executive Summary: We grade your architecture, source code, process, and teams, and provide a brief rationale for each grade. Detailed Findings: For each of the areas in the executive summary, we provide the details.

Technical Review 260

Technical Review Development Team Review Software Review TechEmpower 260

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

Scott Kupor of A16Z responded with a comprehensive overview of valuation methodology in a post that while accurate feels more targeted at sophisticated Limited Partners (LPs) who invest in funds. billion (and their stake worth $237 million not $3 billion) — the reported value at which they invested in the last round. We can’t know.

Venture Capital 264

Venture Capital Invest Funding Competition 264

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

A reverse merger is the acquisition of an already public company (usually a dormant shell) to avoid the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process and cost, to quickly get your startup on a public exchange for fund raising through visibility and selling stock. There just aren’t enough angel investors and VCs to go around.

Funding 104

Funding Summary Entrepreneur Acquisition 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

I like his summary of the challenges involved, real case studies, and especially his recommended building blocks to a culture of perpetual innovation in any company: Extract and instill a long-term vision in your team. Continuous innovation is a mindset that you cannot outsource, or bring in through acquisition or consultants.

Case Study 117

Case Study Outsource Development Outsource Customer 117

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

Here is a summary of each: Complementary strengths allows extended market penetration. Good strategic partnerships often lead to strategic investments, or great acquisition relationships. All this was done without damaging anyone’s credibility, or stealing customers. Simple referral fees can bring real growth.

Startup 173

Startup Outsource Development Examples Customer 173

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 19, 2015

We have made 5 online video investments in total – some we will talk about later this year. Content is a “hits driven business” and therefore you can only invest in platforms not media. You must invest in technology. You can’t build a brand on YouTube. I think most arguments miss the mark.

SEM 150

SEM Content Platform Acquisition 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2019

A reverse merger is the acquisition of an already public company (usually a dormant shell) to avoid the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process and cost, to quickly get your startup on a public exchange for fund raising through visibility and selling stock. There just aren’t enough angel investors and VCs to go around.

Summary 121

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 121

InfoChachkie

JULY 21, 2011

Paige is a gifted communicator and my summary does not do him justice. He offers a number of worthwhile tips and tricks that I was not able to capture in the textual summary, so the 14-minute audio file is well worth your time. What follows is a summary which paraphrases Paige’s responses. Click here to listen to the Audio File.

Summary 246

Summary Tips Sales Entrepreneur 246

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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. Start in a business domain you know well.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Incubator 102

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2015

Our first investment in the new fund was a $12 million investment in Beverly Hills based MediaPlatform. In summary, it really has been an amazing year and we look forward to supporting additional compelling software companies in 2016. It is easy to invest capital, but very, very hard to exit, so don't. READ MORE>>.

Capital 100

Capital Beverly Hills Artificial Inteligence Equity 100

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

It’s pretty tricky to make money without understanding where that money is coming from and what kind of cost investment it will take to become cash-flow positive. You take all the pieces—costs, revenue, cash-flow summaries, profit and loss statements—and piece them together to see the big picture. Give insight into your business model.

Startup 85

Startup Acquisition Invest Framework 85

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 1, 2015

“the ecommerce company gained fauxmentum by raising artificially high amounts of venture capital and spent lavishly on customer acquisition despite long payback periods and questionable LTV” __. In the ecommerce arena I see some great companies spending heavily on customer acquisition. __. faux·men·tum.

Startup 150

Startup Marketing Customer Custom 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2018

A reverse merger is the acquisition of an already public company (usually a dormant shell) to avoid the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process and cost, to quickly get your startup on a public exchange for fund raising through visibility and selling stock. There just aren’t enough angel investors and VCs to go around.

Summary 79

Summary Startup Entrepreneur Funding 79

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

If there are conflicts within the team, or differing views of the strategy, or evidence of missing processes and tools, the investment process will likely be terminated. Make yourself available to answer any questions, show your enthusiasm, and explain both the positives and negatives of the external investment process.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

Most top tier VCs return about 3x invested capital and outlier funds (the best of a vintage) might return 6-8x. But the larger funds usually have lower returns because they are often investing bigger dollars at later stages with less risk and therefore lower returns. This happens at acquisition time, too. billion in returns.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

How long does it take me to pay back my original customer acquisition costs? This financial leader could well have come through the finance org at another startup or at a larger company but they often also can come from strategy consulting (Bain, BCG or McKinsey) or through investment banking (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc.).

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2015

A reverse merger is the acquisition of an already public company (usually a dormant shell) to avoid the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process and cost, to quickly get your startup on a public exchange for fund raising through visibility and selling stock. There just aren’t enough Angel investors and VCs to go around.

Funding 102

Funding Summary Startup Entrepreneur 102

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 15, 2010

You can watch this week’s TWiVC episode by clicking on the link and my summary notes are below. {if I won’t belabor this – I have an investment in this space ( ad.ly ) so I’m biased. I think everybody heard about this acquisition. We had a big discussion about DST and why these investments.

Venture Capital 271

Venture Capital Capital Google Platform 271

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

If you want to watch the show click the image above or this link , but if you want a quick read – here’s a summary: 1. tevye2009 , Q: “can you briefly explain why it’s best to get a small valuation when getting investment.&# 7: Q: “Should I take an investment from a family member?&# Most are not.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Capital Startup Pricing 282

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2014

A reverse merger is the acquisition of an already public company (usually a dormant shell) to avoid the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process and cost, to quickly get your startup on a public exchange for fund raising through visibility and selling stock. There just aren’t enough Angel investors and VCs to go around.

Funding 98

Funding Startup Entrepreneur Summary 98

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler 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.

Startup 91

Startup Invest Incubator Ideas 91

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

I reviewed a good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of an IPO exit strategy for startups in a widely-used textbook “ Entrepreneurship ,” by Robert Hisrich, Michael Peters, and Dean Shepherd. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations. Loss of control.

Startup 89

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 89

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

You have to understand whether they’re likely to yield revenue growth in the near term OR whether you have access to cheap enough capital to fund your losses until your investments pay off. Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. If you don’t, somebody else WILL!”

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2010

Clearstone currently invests out of a $200 million fund based in LA with offices in Menlo Park and in India. Some summary notes are below. Segment One: Jim’s background and Clearstone’s investment strategy. They were started in affiliation with IdeaLab and were the first-round lead in PayPal. Terms not disclosed.

Clearstone 236

Clearstone Venture Capital ReachLocal Google 236

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

I recently reviewed a good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of an IPO exit strategy for startups in a widely-used textbook “ Entrepreneurship ,” by Robert Hisrich, Michael Peters, and Dean Shepherd. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

The huge importance of this is that when you have a high-level of loyal customers you get repeat purchases that are significantly more profitable because you’re not spending new acquisition dollars acquiring them. companies that have to spend too heavily on customer acquisition). Get Physical! even a DTC company?—?if

Product 296

Product Course Customer Custom 296

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

Until recently it was headquartered 2 blocks from our offices in Santa Monica so we literally saw it emerge under our feet and we proudly invested in the last 3 rounds of financing. Summary Bird has created a brand-new transportation sector that has captured the imagination of riders and investors alike. having raised $300 million?—?less

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Fred Wilson also wrote on a similar topic in his usual more succinct manner , with a great quote being: “One thing I know for sure is that those who advise and invest in startups cannot and should not meddle in the day to day decision making. It’s harmful and hurtful to the startup and those that lead it.

Startup 150

Startup Sales CTO Coach Course 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

I recently reviewed a good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of an IPO exit strategy for startups in a widely-used textbook “ Entrepreneurship ,” by Robert Hisrich, Michael Peters, and Dean Shepherd. Expensive new IT systems, consultants, and investment bankers are usually required. Increasing government regulations.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2014

Here is a summary of each: Complementary strengths allows extended market penetration. Good strategic partnerships often lead to strategic investments, or great acquisition relationships. All this was done without damaging anyone’s credibility, or stealing customers. Simple referral fees can bring real growth.

Startup 103

Startup Outsource Development Examples Customer 103

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2012

In addition, every business has operating costs, like customer acquisition, fulfillment, inventory, and customer service. Key measurements should always include return on investment, and visibility to the targeted audience. But the low cost also means that your competition will also be there in force.

Startup 96

Startup Social Media Content Paid Search 96

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 21, 2009

This morning we heard from Jamie Montgomery, CEO of the venerable Montgomery & Co investment bank who is at the heart of what is going on in M&A for venture backed companies. A recent example would be Compuware’s $295 million acquisition of Gomez , a networking monitoring company.

Venture Capital 241

Venture Capital Technical Review Southern California Company 241

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 13, 2011

I wrote the summary notes in this blog post. I talked about this in the TWiVC video but I didn’t do a good enough job of writing it up in the summary notes in the post. And when you finish the demo you can bring in the other important components such as competition, team, customer acquisition strategy, etc. Mobile app?

Venture Capital 299

Venture Capital Slides Technical Advisors Startup 299

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

In addition, every business has operating costs, like customer acquisition, fulfillment, inventory, and customer service. Key measurements should always include return on investment, and visibility to the targeted audience. But the low cost also means that your competition will also be there in force.

Social Media 93

Social Media Content Startup Web 93