SoCal CTO

MARCH 2, 2015

This includes links to CTO Salary and Equity Trends, Technology Roles in Startups , Initial Conversation with a CTO or Technical Advisor , Finding a Technical Cofounder for Your Startup , Hiring a CTO for Your Startup and many others. And then how do you move them through your pipeline?

CTO Hire 150

CTO Hire CTO Coach Los Angeles Angel 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2016

So the first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90% of the equity. The value in a startup is all about tangible results, so I see no equity value in the idea alone. Amount of venture funding provided.

Equity 62

Equity Startup Patents CTO Hire 62

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. The firm's CEO and co-founder is Eric M. Jackson also started World Ahead Media, which was acquired by WorldNetDaily.

Venture Capital 243

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Equity Invest 243

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 6, 2023

That might start with the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone. Make sure all business processes are documented and integrated. Startup equity investments imply a long-term business relationship, lasting an average of five years.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 118

socalTECH

MARCH 24, 2010

Greg Martin , the partner heading up Redpoint Ventures ' Los Angeles office, has reportedly left the firm, according to a report from the Private Equity Insider. Martin is no longer listed on Redpoint's web site, was not listed in its latest fundraising documents, and declined to comment on the story.

Redpoint 160

Redpoint Report Venture Capital Equity 160

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2022

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 140

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 140

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

The “venture capital” model is the only option they know, where they feel they get no mercy, giving up equity and control. Document the investment types you are willing to consider. The basic categories include equity, straight debt, convertible debt, services, and agreements for future equity.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Equity Capital Entrepreneur 88

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2014

The first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90 percent of the equity. The value in a startup is all about tangible results, so there is no equity value in the idea alone. Amount of venture funding provided.

Equity 104

Equity Patents Startup CTO Hire 104

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2014

Bitvore is based in Irvine, and is backed by serial entrepreneur Yuri Pikover, as well as other angels. To give you an overview, there are something like 6,000 equities in the U.S. It wouldn''t be covered in the Los Angeles Times, and not by the San Diego papers. Tell me about Bitvore - what''s your technology used for?

Orange County 245

Orange County Startup News IBM 245

SoCal CTO

APRIL 8, 2010

How do the sample Series Seed financing documents differ from typical Series A financing documents? Startup Company Lawyer , March 14, 2010 After the recent announcement of the Series Seed Financing documents by Marc Andreesen, Brad Feld points out that there are now four sets of “open source” equity seed financing documents.

Startup 150

Startup Software Review Competition SoCal 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

What used to be an “A” round in 2011 is now routinely called a Seed round and this has been so engrained that founders would rather take less money than to have to put the words “A round” in their legal documents. At Upfront we have always done 40% of our investing in Greater Los Angeles and it’s precisely for this reason.

Venture Capital 471

Venture Capital Writing Invest Pricing 471

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2016

Unfortunately, as a startup advisor and angel investor, I’ve seen too many ventures with great potential get destroyed or set back by legal and other shortcuts that should never have been allowed to happen. Trade secrets need to be documented and dated, and business plans labeled as confidential. Late surprises lead to lawsuits.

Startup 62

Startup Patents Entrepreneur Writing 62

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Protect yourself by clearly outlining confidentiality, termination provisions, and IP ownership in employee contracts and hiring documentation. Equity is likely to be a key piece of the puzzle, but don’t forget to structure in incentives based on hitting key milestones, and deferred compensation arrangements. Do you have questions?

Tips 90

Tips Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development 90

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2017

In my activities as an angel investor, and my work with new ventures seeking investment, I find the “due diligence” stage to be fraught with the most risk. This meeting should include the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone.

Invest 59

Invest Startup Doc Slides 59

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 16, 2015

Angels (invest their own money) and super angels. If you’re raising funds from angels you’ll likely need to get investments from several different players. For the skinny on angels versus VCs read more in Targeting Funding Sources. Expect to be diluted by 20-25% with each equity round. Venture debt.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Equity Funding 40

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2019

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 70

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 70

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist. When sizing your funding request, be aware of the value of your startup today, since most investors expect an equity share for their contributions.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2016

They don’t realize that most Angel investors and venture capitalists will also decline to be first, if you have no commitment from friends and family. Most new entrepreneurs are not surrounded by people who understand convertible notes, startup equity investing, and exit strategies. Document your commitments, as well as theirs.

Funding 60

Funding Startup Ideas Slides 60

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2012

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment? Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same.

Slides 99

Slides Competition Sample Sales 99

socalTECH

MARCH 26, 2014

We''ve raised around $72 million now in equity capital. We then added a scheduling tool and document routing to handle all basic office tasks, and to interface with clients. We also have a growth equity firm out of New York, the Stripes Group, which is run by guys like Ken Fox, and his partner, Dan Marriott.

Startup 160

Startup El Segundo CTO Hire Outsource Development 160

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2017

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for Angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 59

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 59

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2009

Greg Brogger: Where we're starting today, is angel investors and founders--the senior management team of the company. We put together a group of angels we'd worked with in the past, put some money to work, and prototyped some companies. tools available, not to mention the growth and size of the private equity market--it's a 2.5

Startup 124

Startup Zag Venture Capital Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2013

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for Angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2017

As a new business advisor and angel investor, I have assembled my own favorite list of shortcuts to avoid, in the hope of saving you from learning these lessons the hard way: Be satisfied with verbal or handshake partner agreements. Retain maximum equity by requesting minimal funding.

Entrepreneur 72

Entrepreneur Competition Customer Custom 72

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 6, 2014

Protect yourself by clearly outlining confidentiality, termination provisions, and IP ownership in employee contracts and hiring documentation. Equity is likely to be a key piece of the puzzle, but don’t forget to structure in incentives based on hitting key milestones, and deferred compensation arrangements. Do you have questions?

Tips 101

Tips Startup Outsource Development Sales 101

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

After you have successfully attracted angels or venture capital with your business case, your million dollar product idea, and you have a signed term sheet, there is still one more hurdle to overcome before investors write the check. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process. For small teams, every team member will likely be interviewed.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Startup Writing Competition 94

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for Angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 97

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2011

As a member of the local Angel group selection committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment? Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same.

Slides 93

Slides Competition Sample Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 95

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 95

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2010

After you have successfully attracted angels or venture capital with your business case, your million dollar product idea, and you have a signed term sheet, there is still one more hurdle to overcome before investors write the check. This is the dreaded “due diligence” process. For small teams, every team member will likely be interviewed.

Technical Review 90

Technical Review Writing Competition Tips 90

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

As a member of the local angel group Selection Committee, I’ve seen a lot of startup presentations to investors, and I’ve never seen one that was too short - maybe short on content, but not short on pages! What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment? Here are the ten slides you need: Problem and market need.

Slides 94

Slides Competition Sample Sales 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Here are some tips which will signal traction and fundability to investors, as well as to your team: Document your business plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. If you have a product description, that’s necessary, but not sufficient. Show personal investment.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2010

I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.” I’m not suggesting that co-founders should be equal contributors on both sides, but the parameters for “equality” better be well understood and well documented. Only then is it time to celebrate and look for angels on your way to heaven. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 82

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 82

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

This time by the efforts of Adeo Ressi to introduce a new kind of structure called “ convertible equity.” My initial reaction to Adeo when we spoke was that while it may have solved some issues (debt versus equity) it didn’t solve the ones that I’ve been warning entrepreneurs about most loudly.

Startup 354

Startup Pricing Equity Venture Capital 354

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Quantify existing skin-in-the-game, by insiders and outsiders, including sweat equity and capital. An investment-grade business plan is a professionally prepared document, preferably about 20 pages, to satisfy both angel investors and venture capitalists. Include a current valuation estimate.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

Here are some tips which will signal traction and fundability to investors, as well as to your team: Document your business plan. Funding for pre-revenue startups used to be the domain of angel investors, but they have moved up-stage. If you have a product description, that’s necessary, but not sufficient. Show personal investment.

Startup 104

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 104

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

When to get a lawyer - If you plan to be a venture or angel backed technology company (what I mostly write about) the best time to start meeting and getting to know lawyers is long before you ever start your company. You never got around to agreeing exact equity splits but you had many conversations about it.

Startup 318

Startup IP Southern California Entrepreneur 318