Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2014

We are often asked how companies get funded, why VCs make the decisions we make and what we’re looking for in entrepreneurs. At Upfront we’re totally fine funding entrepreneurs who have done multiple businesses in the past – in fact we like it. But I’m guessing the narrative is similar elsewhere. And Seriously.

Funding 373

Funding Technical Review Startup Screening 373

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2022

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. The result is that over 60% of online shoppers are brand loyal due to other online satisfaction data.

Customer 122

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 122

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Every business owner and entrepreneur I meet in my consulting rounds dreams of finding that “ disruptive ” innovation that will supercharge their business and move it into the ranks of business unicorns (billion-dollar valuations), such as SpaceX and Apple. Capitalize on free communal initiatives around you.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Metrics Resource Software Review 101

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 26, 2020

The fact that Kara doesn’t have what my wife likes to refer jokingly as my “Y chromosome problem” is beside the fact. Venture capital is about backing the leaders of tomorrow who imagine the world as it should be and aren’t constrained by what it is today. It’s time to prepare Kara to help smash some more glass ceilings. I’m only 52!

Venture Capital 361

Venture Capital Startup Invest CitySearch 361

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 7, 2014

In case you don’t know – as VCs we have have 2 sets of customers: LPs (limited partners) who invest money in our funds and entrepreneurs (who we in turn give money to and help support them in building businesses we hope will be valuable). Who else is going to tell a VC if he got a bad reference from an entrepreneur or fellow VC?

Customer 341

Customer Custom Venture Capital Software Review 341

socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2012

For the last week of the year, we're featuring the thoughts and reflections of some of the movers and shakers of Southern California's high tech community. We asked the same four questions of a variety of top technology entrepreneurs, investors, and others, to hear what they're thinking about, and are sharing it here over the next week.

Southern California 173

Southern California Technical Review High Tech San Diego 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Funding Startup Technical Review 113

InfoChachkie

APRIL 25, 2011

Although many are entertaining, most fail to provide entrepreneurs with a sufficient return on their time investment. If you are a leader at a startup and you are reading a business book, you are not closing customers, raising capital, improving your product, or spending time with your loved ones. I was not disapointed.

Technical Review 279

Technical Review Blogging Class Entrepreneur 279

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2014

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. The result is that 62% of online shoppers are brand loyal due to other online satisfaction data.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Social Media Technical Review Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Equity 105

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2017

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. The result is that over 60% of online shoppers are brand loyal due to other online satisfaction data.

Technical Review 55

Technical Review Technology Social Media Social Network 55

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

A critical stage for most first-time entrepreneurs is getting their idea developed into at least a prototype to validate their technology. Specifically, I often point to the NSF or the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for high-tech startups. The approval process is long and bureaucratic.

Funding 90

Funding Technical Review Startup Research 90

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I often have to deal with people who are convinced that they must get me to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before they begin talks about their new venture. Potential investors don’t need this data, except perhaps as part of a final due diligence after an initial signed agreement.

Technical Review 61

Technical Review Patents Ideas Social Media 61

socalTECH

DECEMBER 30, 2010

All this week, we are sharing the opinions of some of the top influencers in Southern California's high tech community. We asked the same five questions of a variety of top technology entrepreneurs, investors, and others, to hear what they're thinking about, and are sharing it here over the next two weeks. 1) Mobile web.

Technical Review 160

Technical Review Southern California Cloud Computing Venture Capital 160

InfoChachkie

MAY 7, 2012

Although it is tempting to overly intellectualize modern-day venture capital, its underlying construct has been part of human society for thousands of years. Skilled entrepreneurs bring ideas and money together by building a bridge of trust. Confirmation from people whom the entrepreneur did not cite as a reference is vital.

Ideas 251

Ideas Venture Capital Education Entrepreneur 251

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. Entrepreneurs should never agree to the following provisions when negotiating with a BDC, no matter how lucrative the potential relationship. Kiss of Death ConTraps. Issue Unmitigated Exclusivity.

Outsource Development 170

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 170

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2019

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. The result is that over 60% of online shoppers are brand loyal due to other online satisfaction data.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 85

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

When you first start your company and raise initial venture capital your board probably consists of 1-3 founders and 1-2 VCs. And here’s an important point that I think modern entrepreneurs often forget: Investors are “co-owners” of your business. Reviewing financial & operational performance. Mentorship.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 23, 2015

We typically do not ask entrepreneurs to visit our offices in Santa Barbara, but Jeff wanted to meet with Kevin, an investor in our Fund who helped us vet opportunities and occasionally invested alongside of us. Tech Diligence - Consider The Source. Subject: Reference for Twilio. Forwarded message -.

Venture Capital 100

Venture Capital Technical Review Software Review Southern California 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87

InfoChachkie

MAY 9, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. Entrepreneurs should never agree to the following provisions when negotiating with a BDC, no matter how lucrative the potential relationship. Kiss of Death ConTraps. Issue Unmitigated Exclusivity.

Outsource Development 124

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Press Technical Review 124

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 8, 2010

Greycroft is Alan’s venture capital firm that recently raised its second fund ($130 million) with offices in both New York and LA. My favorite two quotes of the weekend were: “Never trade your cat for somebody else’s dog” (referring to selling your company for stock to another privately held company – quote was from Alan.

Startup 279

Startup Venture Capital Tips Custom Development 279

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

5 Lessons from 150 startup pitches - A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks , July 11, 2010 I just reviewed several hundred startup pitches for Capital Factory. The collapse of the IPO market and dysfunctional math in the venture capital community has stacked the odds against you. Not that I blame you! Silly, right?

Startup 217

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Startup 123

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 123

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2014

Leave it to me to spend 14 hours in Dallas on the very day that three of my favorite industries crush capital… * Social marketing, with $14M through Bessemer Venture Partners and Harrison Metal Capital to Main Street Hub. Home of the review Bazaarvoice. Though, I’m glad that I did. Coupon King RetailMeNot.

Technical Review 71

Technical Review Commerce Yahoo Web 71

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2013

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. The result is that 62% of online shoppers are brand loyal due to other online satisfaction data.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Startup Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Develop 70

Develop Development Product Startup 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Bartering technically means exchanging goods or services as a substitute for money.

Startup 53

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 53

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Coachella Valley is referred to as the “Desert Empire” to differentiate it from the neighboring urbanized Inland Empire and the Imperial Valley. The iHub is a California state initiative that selected six locations in the state to serve as specific technology development hubs.

Startup 105

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 105

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Coachella Valley is referred to as the “Desert Empire” to differentiate it from the neighboring urbanized Inland Empire and the Imperial Valley. The iHub is a California state initiative that selected six locations in the state to serve as specific technology development hubs.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 119

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2009

It included one firm who I asked not to call Salesforce.com as a reference (they were our largest pilot customer) and in their kindness they called Marc Benioff (the CEO) and asked his opinion. On December 3rd Brad Feld wrote a one paragraph blog post titled “ Raising Venture Capital &# in which he linked to my blog.

Venture Capital 274

Venture Capital Blogging Startup Slides 274

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 11, 2012

The idea was pioneered by renowned and award winning high impact serial entrepreneurs, Robert Sussman and Lance Fanaroff. ABSA Jewish Entrepreneur of the Year – WINNER (This award was actually presented by Gill Marcus) – (Annex.13). Ernst & Young – World Entrepreneur Awards – FINALIST (Annex 13).

Software Review 92

Software Review Social Network Platform Technical Review 92

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2012

We do phone interviews, and check references for lots of our hosts. If the hosts have credentials themselves, they can share if they have liability insurance, pet first aid or CPR certification, if they're a vet tech, and any professional associations they might be involved with. We try to make that transparent, as well.

Technical Review 164

Technical Review Startup Sites Malibu 164

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2012

We do phone interviews, and check references for lots of our hosts. If the hosts have credentials themselves, they can share if they have liability insurance, pet first aid or CPR certification, if they're a vet tech, and any professional associations they might be involved with. We try to make that transparent, as well.

Technical Review 160

Technical Review Startup Sites Malibu 160