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73.6% of all Statistics are Made Up

Both Sides of the Table

Often when they do I throw out my favorite statistic: 73.6% of all statistics are made up. Here’s how I learned my lesson: I started my life as a consultant. I had to read each report, synthesis it and then come up with our best estimate of the markets going forward. I say it deadpanned. It’s irony.

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What are the odds of your startup’s success?

Berkonomics

Well, the numbers don’t lie, even if there are several sources of these statistics. Starting a company is HARD – in so many ways. Let’s start with a restaurant -not our thing. But… I read several years ago that the average startup restaurant lasts only about a year. Restaurant startups would not top my list.

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8 Tactics To Highlight Your Startup For Early Funding

Startup Professionals Musings

Many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves unable to bootstrap their startups, and also unable to find early funding at the venture capital level or even with angel investors. The average amount per startup has been $23,000, usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment.

Startup 109
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Are MBAs Necessary for Start-ups or VC?

Both Sides of the Table

This is part of my ongoing series called “ Start-up Lessons.&#. I came across this blog post about getting a computer science degree as the best degree for getting into venture capital or working at a VC-backed start up. I paid up for the diploma but can’t say that I saw better results.

Startup 337
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6 Reasons To Ease Into The Entrepreneur Startup Dream

Startup Professionals Musings

There has long been a big debate about the best approach to starting a new business. Some argue the only way to start is to drop everything and jump in with both feet, while others recommend an overlapped approach to the lifestyle, including not quitting your day job until you have revenue and a proven business model.

Startup 128
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4 Simple Steps Will Get Startup Financial Projections

Startup Professionals Musings

Thus, financial projections for up to five years are a necessary element in every business plan. Per the words of an old country song, “if you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” If you are losing money on every unit, it’s hard to make it up in volume. Forecast sales-volume expectations.

Startup 147
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6 Ways To Get Credible Data To Support A New Venture

Startup Professionals Musings

If ten percent of these numbers, multiplied by your average product price, will get you the revenue you need to scale your business, you will get the love you need from angel and venture capital investors. With social media and the new survey tools, it’s easy and fast to set up and run your own focus group, or opinion survey.