socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2019

My biggest takeaway this year was truly understanding the strength and cohesion of the Los Angeles startup community. There was no monetary reward for those who participated (and Startup Boost does not take fees or equity from the companies that we help). What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?

Technical Review 157

Technical Review Software Review Startup Coach 157

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

I’ve written about the topic of convertible debt at length before specifically about how angels & entrepreneurs should think about pricing. Convertible debt is an investment that “converts&# into equity in the future usually at a discount to your next funding round price and sometimes has a “cap&# (maximum price).

Equity 319

Equity Pricing Venture Capital Entrepreneur 319

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 22, 2009

This is part of my ongoing posts on Startup Advice. There are people who tell startups that they should hire the most senior people that they can find. Bringing in a senior person who’s “done it all before&# is often a mistake in a startup. So what if you’re already a mid-stage startup.

Startup 327

Startup Sales Class CIO 327

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2022

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and founders being replaced, to their chagrin. Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. There is no free lunch. There is no free lunch.

Sales 147

Sales Metrics Guide Startup 147

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

This is part of my Startup Advice series. In case it’s not obvious it’s a play on the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.&# ) I believe that being successful as an entrepreneur requires you to get lots of things done. Good entrepreneurs can admit when their course of action was wrong and learn from it.

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Technical Review Slides CTO Coach 414

Berkonomics

APRIL 24, 2014

Often I see executive summaries from entrepreneurs who have never managed any form of business, or even managed employees in their past life, and who don’t know the first thing about business formation and managing for growth. I used to tell them to find a partner with knowledge in business creation and management.

Coach 250

Coach Seed Funding Summary Incubator 250

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and founders being replaced, to their chagrin. Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. There is no free lunch. There is no free lunch.

Startup 97

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 97

Berkonomics

JUNE 8, 2017

Some businesses require very little capital and the founder can self-finance the enterprise and retain 100% of its ownership and control from ignition through liquidity event (startup through sale). And even with the significant cost of credit card debt, many entrepreneurs aggressively use existing cards to finance a startup.

Venture Capital 266

Venture Capital Class Invest Equity 266

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

Private equity investment firm Blackstone said Friday that it is expanding its university entrepreneurship program, Blackstone LaunchPad , to Southern California. blackstone launchpad student entrepreneurship program ucla southern california entrepreneur startup business' Blackstone said it is supplying a $3.5M READ MORE>>.

Southern California 182

Southern California SoCal UCLA USC 182

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and founders being replaced, to their chagrin. Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. There is no free lunch. There is no free lunch.

Startup 108

Startup Sales Metrics Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2020

In my view as a business advisor, it’s an ideal time for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to get ahead of the crowd by driving an innovative solution to a painful problem with the passion, perseverance, and work ethic I see every day. Spend more time coaching and mentoring your team.

Coach 144

Coach Customer Custom Entrepreneur 144

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. The good news is that he is all about helping early-stage startups. The hard part for entrepreneurs is figuring out what it takes to play. Early-stage startup.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Seed Funding Incubator 101

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2018

Let me start out with my premise: “Data rooms are where fund-raising processes go to die.” I have to back up and give you more context. Most entrepreneurs (and VCs raising from LPs) think this means progress. I’m going to start with the reasons and then explain how to use your best data to your advantage. It doesn’t.

Funding 336

Funding Venture Capital Startup Email 336

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 4, 2014

Yesterday I wrote a post about “ the politics of startups ” in which I asserted that all companies have politics, which in its purest sense is just about understanding human psychology. A co-founder who started by working hard but gets sucked into the tech party circuit and has more interest in socialize than building cool s**t.

Startup 340

Startup Technical Review Course Press 340

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and founders being replaced, to their chagrin. Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. There is no free lunch. There is no free lunch.

Startup 56

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 56

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 29, 2011

This led to an explosion in startups. Surprisinly, this strategy works well with many entrepreneurs. It’s as though we forgot the management mantra of the 90′s about “core competencies&# or the most common VC advice to entrepreneurs: Focus. The LP Community Hasn’t Yet Caught Up. Funny, that.

Venture Capital 296

Venture Capital Capital Software Startup 296

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. The good news is that he is all about helping early-stage startups, the hard part for entrepreneurs is figuring out what it takes to play. Early-stage startup.

Startup 92

Startup Funding Seed Funding Incubator 92

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

So do you think the environment still tough for startups? And, the equity markets are certainly a more challenging environment. Mike Napoli: Actually, we are seeing entrepreneurs. I think that makes everyone happy, because even those who end up turned down appreciate knowing that quickly. Interestnig.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 23, 2016

Today is the new age of the entrepreneur, and I see an increasing number of new startups as the economy stabilizes. For new aspiring entrepreneurs, that’s the good news and the bad news, as it increases opportunities, but also increases the startup risk. Extend network through startup organizations.

Tips 58

Tips Startup Entrepreneur News 58

socalTECH

JULY 1, 2013

A couple of weeks ago, a brand new, startup incubator launched in town--with a slightly different focus, on biomedical technology. The incubator-- Greenwings Biomedical (www.greenwingsbiomedical.com), is led by Richard Koffler , a serial entrepreneur and angel investor in Los Angeles. Why did you decide to start Greenwings?

Incubator 217

Incubator Startup USC Tech Coast Angels 217

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Richard White, author of The Entrepreneur’s Manual , surveyed a number of venture capitalists, asking them to identify the characteristics of successful, serial entrepreneurs. In fact, several of the venture capitalists pointed out that successful entrepreneurs often have to be encouraged to spend more aggressively.

Startup 221

Startup Pricing Entrepreneur Email 221

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2017

When I hear executives and professionals in larger businesses talking about their dream of going out on their own to start a new company, I always cringe. Second, the list of non-entrepreneurial habits that you pick up in a large corporation gets bigger and harder to break. Rely on training courses and coaching for new roles.

Company 58

Company Companies Startup Training 58

socalTECH

MARCH 10, 2010

One of the more successful serial entrepreneurs here in Southern California has been Robin D. Robin's latest startup is Internships.com (www.internships.com), an online site focused on aggregating internship opportunities and providing resources to potential interns. How did you decide to start Internships.com?

Startup 223

Startup Content Sites CTO Coach 223

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 24, 2011

There has recently been a common theme among the entrepreneurs I have interviewed and the conferences I have attended: despite the relatively weak state of the world economy, now is a great time to create a high-tech startup. As Guy Kawasaki pointed out in our recent conversation , “…it is cheaper than ever to start a company.

Company 257

Company Companies Startup Study 257

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and Founders being replaced, to their chagrin. Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. There is no free lunch. There is no free lunch.

Sales 96

Sales Metrics Startup Entrepreneur 96

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 6, 2014

I would start by asking the candidate, “How did you decide on these five people” as part of your review process. By the way, I also strongly advise that entrepreneurs reference VCs. I usually start with, “Obviously Stacy has made it far into the process or I wouldn’t be calling you.

Startup 302

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Report 302

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 16, 2010

Frank is a successful, serial entrepreneur, and tells about his experience growing Rubicon from a small startup to a much larger team. In short, I've had to go from playing "running back", to "quarterback" to now "coach." I run a very different company today than I did a year ago. Read the rest of Frank's post. READ MORE>>.

Coach 140

Coach Equity Entrepreneur Platform 140

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 1, 2016

Having time to think about “leadership” at most startups feels like a luxury. The reality of most startups is about survival. If people don’t know the mission there is no way to achieve the objective and you end up with a team pulling in 100 different directions – even if only by small amounts.

Startup 150

Startup Coach Course Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2017

Usually this stage only really starts after an investor has expressed serious interest, or already informally agreed to invest. Others schedule long and exhaustive practice and coaching sessions for everyone on the team, including showcase customers, to make sure that everyone tells the most positive and consistent story.

Invest 59

Invest Startup Doc Slides 59

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 24, 2011

Seth attended UCSB but dropped out to start a denim company. . Value Prop Twitter Style : SocialStay is: "An easy to set up & manage mobile platform designed for the hospitality industry. They are starting to see the light. Bootstrapping requires that the entrepreneur go out and talk to their users or clients.

Startup 233

Startup Design Mobile Social Network 233

Tech Coast Venture Network

MARCH 9, 2011

Investors and entrepreneurs who won at the fundraising game during and after the Great Recession offer advice on landing equity money. But as the stock market edges ever higher and the wealthier feel healthier, there’s a good chance that American startups will also get their moment in the sun. By Monica Mehta.

Tips 100

Tips Capital Tech Coast Angels Screening 100

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 28, 2012

From LA Demo Day to Silicon Beach Fest to Crowdstart LA to hackathons to Startup Weekends, companies and entrepreneurs alike have joined forces to feed the startup ecosystem. Startup Weekend is a 54-hour frenzy in which a group of strangers can come together to form a company and compete for prizes.

Startup 100

Startup Ideas San Diego Mentor 100

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 7, 2013

Natalia not only wants to increase the number of women in investment, but bring more people in total to help startups and other businesses get the capital they need. We also want to create more capital for women entrepreneurs to increase the chances of being funded and connected to a bigger network. What is Pipeline Fellowship about?

Mentor 84

Mentor Invest Entrepreneur Startup 84

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 9, 2009

We brought together Peter Cowen of Groundwork Equity , Mark Suster of GRP Partners , Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures , and Richard Yen of Saban Ventures -- all of who will be on the judging panel for the Tech Coast Angel's Fast Pitch on February 24th, to give us a their hints and tips about pitching to venture capitalists.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Ideas Entrepreneur Invest 100