Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2023

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market research data. Conduct your own customized market research. Modern libraries are still worth a visit.

Statistics 120

Statistics Research Report Newsletter 120

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2011

If you read this blog often you'll know that I'm a huge fan of First Round Capital. One example is that they introduced a program where their founders can pool together shares from their company and exchange them for a small portfolio of other First Round Capital companies. I'm a huge fan of this innovation. and Half.com.

Capital 284

Capital Venture Capital Technical Review Startup 284

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. This early stage is often called basic research , well before any specific commercially viable products might be envisioned. Technology pilots. Commercial product prototypes.

Resource 102

Resource Ideas Funding Research 102

Xconomy

JANUARY 25, 2019

Three decades later, I’m a successful biomedical researcher and serial entrepreneur with more than 120 patents to my name, and eight successful businesses under my belt.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Patents Research Venture Capital 110

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Thus, it is incumbent on entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses before seeking venture funding. Entrepreneurs Are Never Stuck. I recently was sent a Tweet from an aspiring entrepreneur which said, “I have a prototype but I need funding to bring it to market. We were long on vision and short on capital.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Ideas Seed Funding Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2019

He is regarded by many as the number-one authority on virtual staffing and personal outsourcing, and is himself a successful entrepreneur based in the Philippines. I was impressed with his summary of the top ten outsourcing mistakes made by entrepreneurs, followed by real guidance on how they can and should be avoided. Be flexible.

Outsource Development 121

Outsource Development Outsource Entrepreneur Summary 121

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

MBA’s are an easy target for entrepreneurs’ scorn. I too have taken shots at MBA’s, describing why they are not typically well suited for startup life in Why Entrepreneurs Hate (Most) MBAs. My contrarian nature sparked, I began researching MBA led startups. Situationally, MBA’s Can Be Effective Entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Allegis Startup Competition 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2021

These resources are definitely not limited to students, since every university seeks out and needs the real world exposure and experience of entrepreneurs who already are active in the real world marketplace. Product research and prototype development. Business plan assistance. Early-stage funding. Legal guidance.

Incubator 172

Incubator Mentor Class Resource 172

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to intellectual property and current research. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

socalTECH

AUGUST 19, 2019

Our video interview today--where we interview the startup entrepreneurs, investors, and others in the technology industry across Southern California--is with Alice Cheng , an Associate at Upfront Ventures (www.upfront.com), a Los Angeles-based venture capital investment firm.

Southern California 113

Southern California Venture Capital Research Los Angeles 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

On the other hand, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. His focus is on entrepreneurs in America, but what he says applies to every other country as well. This next frontier lies in building enterprises as an entrepreneur, rather than waiting for innovation and opportunity from large corporations.

Entrepreneur 87

Entrepreneur Offshore Technical Review Outsource 87

Tech Zulu Event

JULY 14, 2014

Drawing from the UK Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) experience, US Senator Chris Coons will talk about the version of the Research & Development tax credit bill he sponsored on August 8 in New York City. All engaged parties indulge in progressive research and development, which is the pillar of economic prosperity.

Research 88

Research Invest Develop Development 88

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2022

Most of the entrepreneurs and business owners I work with recognize that they must occupy and practice a primary leadership position , but many will admit that they are not thriving in this role. They are not having the impact they expected, and they are not feeling the personal satisfaction they need for next level motivation.

Entrepreneur 90

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Coach Mentor 90

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2023

If you are one of the new age of entrepreneurs who hates the thought of doing a business plan as a first step in starting your new venture you will love this message. Don’t be totally driven by your own passions, the emotional enthusiasm of friends, or even third-party research. Build and use social capital. Marty Zwilling

Startup 142

Startup Capital Resource Research 142

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market research data. Conduct your own customized market research. Modern libraries are still worth a visit.

Marketing 157

Marketing Statistics Research Report 157

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2014

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market-research data. Conduct your own customized market research. Modern libraries are still worth a visit.

Marketing 97

Marketing Entrepreneur Statistics Research 97

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Most entrepreneurs have found by now one or more of the many popular crowdfunding sites , and have the name and contact information for at least one of the big venture capital firms. Each has met legal securities minimums for net worth and professionalism, to reduce the risk to entrepreneurs. Marty Zwilling

Venture Capital 106

Venture Capital Angel Seed Funding Invest 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2021

Yet I still get too many business plans that clearly are looking for money to do research and development (R&D) on a new and unproven technology. This early stage is often called basic research , well before any specific commercially viable products might be envisioned. Technology pilots. Commercial product prototypes.

Help 165

Help Research Startup Funding 165

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2023

Why do a few entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, seem to come up with all the real innovations, while the majority of business leaders seem stuck in the rut of linear thinking? He connects breakthrough thinking to four initiatives, which I believe every entrepreneur should practice: Questioning deeply-held beliefs and assumptions.

Startup 128

Startup Entrepreneur Tool Ideas 128

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 3, 2008

Saturday, November 8, 2008 -- Venture Capital 3.0. Breakfast with Adeo Ressi, Founding Member of TheFunded.com, an online community of entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review funding sources worldwide. See [link] (more).

Venture Capital 100

Venture Capital Capital Research Entrepreneur 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 18, 2010

For today's Insights and Opinions section, where we feature insights and analysis from the local technology community, we have an article from Jeff Cohn , an entrepreneur and veteran of the angel and VC investment community here in Southern California. Read the rest of Jeff's post on on angel and venture capital shareholder liquidity.

Venture Capital 145

Venture Capital Capital Tech Coast Angels Angel 145

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

The two spent months pounding the pavement in Los Angeles pretending to be college students doing research on the industry. Investors including Index Ventures, Toba Capital, VMG Partners, Bonfire Ventures, Ludlow Ventures and BoxGroup agreed. million in funding. It’s something that the founders would likely not rule out.

Software 323

Software Beverly Hills Los Angeles Equity 323

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

“Hi [entrepreneur], I hope all is well. I know the firm well and I know the entrepreneur & his business well. But if that’s all that they’re after then entrepreneurs should definitely be wary of taking these calls. So I have to imagine many other entrepreneurs felt the same. They’re flattered.

Venture Capital 294

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Email Equity 294

InfoChachkie

MAY 22, 2012

The same should be true of an entrepreneur who is attempting to secure money from sophisticated investors. The steps outlined below represent an ideal approach to raising capital from sophisticated investors. One way to accelerate your research is to speak with other startup CEOs who recently closed fundraising rounds.

Venture Capital 236

Venture Capital Capital Research Customer 236

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2022

On the other hand, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. His focus is on entrepreneurs in America, but what he says applies to every other country as well. This next frontier lies in building enterprises as an entrepreneur, rather than waiting for innovation and opportunity from large corporations.

Startup 126

Startup Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur Offshore 126

socalTECH

OCTOBER 19, 2017

There's a tightness which is squeezing the lifeblood from the entrepreneurs, even as it remains an amazing place. We have every major research university in Southern California in the Alliance now, and that was extremely hard to do. There's not much of a track record of universities and research institutions working together.

Southern California 170

Southern California Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 170

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. In reality, the financing valley of death tests the commitment, determination, and problem solving ability of every entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Funding Startup Technical Review 113

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Do your research. You can also do some competitive analysis at this point, researching similar companies to find out their gross margins, profit, and overhead, and use these findings as a guidepost. Every successful—and unsuccessful—entrepreneur knows that a good idea isn’t enough. Is it a good market opportunity?

Invest 95

Invest Capital Startup Venture Capital 95

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Why do a few entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, seem to come up with all the real innovations, while the majority of business leaders seem stuck in the rut of linear thinking? He connects breakthrough thinking to four initiatives, which I believe every entrepreneur should practice: Questioning deeply-held beliefs and assumptions.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Tool Ideas 102

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 22, 2018

Founded by Steve Poizner last year to accelerate the growth of a startup entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southern California, The Alliance is building a network of investors, entrepreneurs and universities to provide ballast in the south to the dominance of the Northern California tech industry.

Southern California 224

Southern California Dollar Shave Club SoCal Develop 224

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 22, 2017

Join us at Cal State Los Angeles for a full day of innovations and technologies presented by the region's finest researchers and inventors! This technology preview is geared for Serial Entrepreneurs, Angel Investors, and Venture Capital Investors.

LAVA 100

LAVA UCI CalTech USC 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2014

Risk level has always been directly correlated to the number of unknowns, so eliminating even one variable will improve your odds: Eliminate one aspect of research and development. According to a recent Harvard Research study, first-time inventors spend at least a third more on their initial technology than later innovators.

Technology 103

Technology Entrepreneur Study Research 103

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often feel the frustration of someone trying to build a startup in the wrong place and time, and wrongly attributing their struggle to personal limitations. You need to be stimulated by easy access to many sources of learning and leadership, including universities, research, and other businesses.

Resource 131

Resource Startup Capital Mentor 131

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Struggling entrepreneurs are often so happy to get a funding offer that they neglect the recommended reverse due diligence on the investors. Reverse due diligence on the investor is a comparable process whereby the entrepreneur seeks to validate the track record, operating style, and motivation of every potential partner.

Technical Review 138

Technical Review Startup Innocal Offshore 138

Berkonomics

MARCH 30, 2012

Factoring companies can help you with working capital needs when your business grows quickly by filling the money “gap” created between new billings and actual collections. Most economists, however, purport that our recovery will never stabilize until small businesses can access capital, hire new employees, and grow.

Funding 192

Funding Entrepreneur Startup Invest 192

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 22, 2017

Join us at Cal State Los Angeles for a full day of innovations and technologies presented by the region's finest researchers and inventors! This technology preview is geared for Serial Entrepreneurs, Angel Investors, and Venture Capital Investors. See [link] (more)

LAVA 100

LAVA UCI CalTech UCLA 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Winning customers as an entrepreneur in a startup has many parallels to a young army trying to penetrate some formidable new and unfamiliar territory. A smart general going into battle always does the research first on the lay of the land, including critical high points that have the most value, before charging into the fray.

Startup 146

Startup Resource Entrepreneur Training 146