socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2019

My biggest takeaway this year was truly understanding the strength and cohesion of the Los Angeles startup community. We continue to have a steady stream of industry and thought leaders raising their hands to be mentors for our upcoming cohorts. What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?

Technical Review 157

Technical Review Software Review Startup Coach 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2023

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim.

Organization 92

Organization Incubator Startup Resource 92

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 15, 2009

The Orange County Chapter of the Tech Coast Angels is promoting a program to help jumpstart small companies, O.C. Tech Coast Angels, the new program will provide seed funding, strategic planning, and execution of day-to-day functions of startups. Tags: tech coast angels angel investors seedtrack.

Tech Coast Angels 157

Tech Coast Angels Orange County San Diego Seed Funding 157

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide.

Funding 107

Funding Startup Equity Examples 107

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2011

If you are new to the entrepreneurial world of startups, you are likely confused by the terminology of seed-stage, lean startups, micro-VCs, and Super Angels. Seed-stage means promising companies that don’t yet have a revenue stream, and may not yet have a proof of concept. Super Angels.

Startup 92

Startup Funding Seed Funding Incubator 92

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2014

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide.

Startup 113

Startup Entrepreneur Funding Equity 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim.

Resource 159

Resource Startup Incubator Seed Funding 159

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 21, 2011

It’s a three-month program providing its selected startups with $21,000 in seed funding, plus the typical incubator benefits like shared office space, legal assistance, infrastructure and hosting, and mentorship from a network of advisors.

Los Angeles 58

Los Angeles Rustic Canyon Incubator Angel 58

socalTECH

OCTOBER 24, 2011

One of the biggest complaints you hear from both entrepreneurs and investors in Los Angeles, is the lack of a credible, visible startup accelerator in the Los Angeles area. We caught up with Erik to hear more about MuckerLab, and its efforts to grow the Los Angeles technology ecosystem. Erik, thanks for the time.

Technical Advisors 176

Technical Advisors Startup Southern California Los Angeles 176

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2019

One company that we have mentored, invested in and serve on the board of, is in lending and has hit a very exciting tipping point. He has been an angel investor in over 50 tech companies, is an LP in 5 seed funds and has served on over a dozen venture-backed boards. More in-person contact is one of my 2019 goals.

Capital 113

Capital Southern California Technical Review SaaS 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2012

If you are new to the entrepreneurial world of startups, you are likely confused by the terminology of seed-stage, lean startups, micro-VCs, and Super Angels. He is going gangbusters, and is now targeting a $50M second round of funding. Super Angels. In any case, it’s time to look again at the options you really have.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Seed Funding Incubator 101

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. Like good mentors Paul, Jeff, Richard, Oded and David as well as Chris and Kris create an atmosphere in which the motivated founders can take advantage of the knowledge base to which they are exposed. Setting up for Eric Garcetti.

Web Design 103

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 103

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2018

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” For example, professional investors put great priority on your previous experience in building a business, and they expect to own a portion of the business equity and control for the funds they do provide.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Funding 96

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2014

I have been involved with a high profile one in Los Angeles – Launchpad LA – and we’ve decided to make a shift so I thought this was a good time for reflection. Companies were getting funded more easily and many more companies were actually being created. We announced Fund I in 2011. So we went for it.

Venture Capital 290

Venture Capital Startup Idealab Funding 290

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor. That’s about the same ratio that angel investors claim.

Incubator 87

Incubator Startup Resource Seed Funding 87

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2012

That's what Los Angeles-based MergeLocal (www.mergelocal.com) is looking to find out, by offering up points which can be converted to real cash, when users check into local businesses. Can you talk about how your company is funded? Michael Wong: We're with StartEngine, and have received a small amount of seed funding from them.

CTO Coach 223

CTO Coach Startup Mobile Artificial Inteligence 223

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2015

With top-ranked accelerators Lauchpad LA closing its doors and Y Combinator rebranding itself as a seed fund, it seems fair to ask the question, “Are Accelerators Dead?”. Convert Graduate-Founders Into Mentors. Bringing an accelerators’ graduates back as mentors provides value to the next class, certainly.

Startup 100

Startup Class LAMP Santa Barbara 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors. As well, these companies usually bring real new venture funding opportunities to the startups they sponsor. That’s about the same ratio that Angel investors claim.

Incubator 106

Incubator Startup Help Resource 106

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 31, 2012

LA-based company, Chewse has joined 500 Startups in Silicon Valley, making it the first starup from LA to join the prestigious accelerator program and seed fund. 500 Startups add that successful startups don’t just need great coders and designers but require scalable and cost-effective customer acquisition which they help startups at.

Startup 68

Startup Seed Funding West Los Angeles Class 68

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. Like good mentors Paul, Jeff, Richard, Oded and David as well as Chris and Kris create an atmosphere in which the motivated founders can take advantage of the knowledge base to which they are exposed. Setting up for Eric Garcetti.

Web Design 40

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 40

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 18, 2015

There are too many deals to look at, too many seed funds or angels asking you to look at deals and weekly “demo days” with manicured and monocultural presentations crafted by experienced story tellers to help even the mundane idea sound like it will. For investors life is no different. Easier said than done.

Software Review 150

Software Review Startup Venture Capital Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started. Don’t be shy about networking for advisors with business experience for coaching and mentoring. Assess potential for funding or bootstrapping. Remember that investors tend to fund entrepreneurs, not ideas.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 146

Incubator Technical Review Entrepreneur Mentor 146

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2014

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 103

Incubator Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2022

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham , co-founder of Y-Combinator, and Dave McClure , founder of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Entrepreneur 145

Entrepreneur Startup Resource Course 145

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 27, 2013

I see this a lot in funding where an entrepreneur has struggled to raise money and spends all their time lamenting how lame investors are. “If my objective is raising capital and I’m struggling, what can I learn about those who do get funded and how can I improve my odds by changing?” You raised your seed funds.

Startup 371

Startup Press Blogging Entrepreneur 371

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2013

Initial funding. Many incubators do provide seed funding for entrepreneurs selected, usually in small amounts like $10,000 to $20,000, and usually taking 5% to 15% of your equity in return. Expert mentoring and training. Follow-on funding and connections. Peer support.

Incubator 115

Incubator Help Startup Technical Review 115

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2019

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham , co-founder of Y-Combinator, and Dave McClure , founder of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Resource Course 99

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

While I agree that many VCs are crummy seed investors, I think there are some that are excellent seed investors. They are: Fred Wilson: Lead Investors, Dipshit Companies, and Funding Every Entrepreneur. Often board members give entrepreneurs two bits of advice regarding scale: Get a mentor. I've funded some myself.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2017

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham of Y Combinator, and Dave McClure of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Resource Course 60

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2013

Some entrepreneurs, like Paul Graham of Y Combinator, and Dave McClure of 500 Startups, mask their focus on multiple startups by running an incubator or accelerator, and providing seed funding for a number of individual efforts. Advisors and mentors are busy people. Optimize your advisers and investors.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Startup Resource Course 92

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

Welcome to the Lost Decade (for Entrepreneurs, IPO’s and VC’s) - Steve Blank , July 15, 2010 If you take funding from a venture capital firm or angel investor and want to build a large, enduring company (rather than sell it to the highest bidder), this isn’t the decade to do it. Angel vs VC? - Not so bad. Metrics availability.

Startup 217

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217