Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

The functions of an early-stage board are pretty obvious and well understood: Providing introductions to customers, biz dev partners, recruits, the press, other investors, etc. Over time you start to figure out who you customers are and how to sell to them or how to get them to adopt your products if you’re a consumer-oriented startup.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 2, 2009

As noted in Pour and Stir Part I , the key to the successful execution of this strategy is managing the following equation: The cost to acquire a customer < lifetime value of a customer. Decreasing Your Customer Acquisition Costs. This is equivalent to being handed a free customer for every ten customers you acquire.

Custom 164

Custom Customer Advertising SEM 164

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 17, 2009

This posting was inspired by an email from Rajat Suri who wrote me an email in response to Chris Dixon’s blog post (link below) from August, which recently re-ran on Business Insider and has generated much Twitter chatter. If a VC term sheet comes in they begin their due diligence process. The contra is also true.

Seed Funding 283

Seed Funding Venture Capital Funding Software Review 283

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Acrobatic ninjas, the Austin Police and several livid tradeshow executives – a perfect recipe for a reality television show, but not a great combination for Seth Epstein’s startup, Social Stay. You can watch my interview with Seth below or on YouTube here: [link]. To hear Seth verbally describe this enlightening story, watch the video.

Marketing 230

Marketing Conference Startup Santa Barbara 230

InfoChachkie

JUNE 25, 2009

Working with startup lawyers also minimizes the risk of losing control of your adVenture, as they can help you avoid common fundraising and investor pitfalls. In addition, such an arrangement will further cement your lawyer’s incentive to help you succeed. Even so, the majority of firms focus on servicing well-established BDC’s.

Technical Advisors 124

Technical Advisors Technical Review IP Patents 124

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2009

Some first-time entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that they are not entrepreneurs because they have never invented anything nor have they come up with a novel idea upon which a company could be built. Dreaming is great, but if you never wake up and act upon your dreams you might as well stay in bed. Hint: He was an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 153

Entrepreneur Ideas Writing Startup 153