Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2014

I started in 2007 with a thesis that my primary investment decision would be about the team (70%) and only afterward about the market opportunity (30%). Of course these are great places to network with other investors, meet great entrepreneurs and keep your connections strong with senior execs at larger companies like Yahoo!,

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Invest Press Startup 374

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2014

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s recent book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Tips Marketing Entrepreneur 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2019

Every entrepreneur and business person I know wishes he had more time for coaching all the members of his team. I often hear the excuse that coaching takes more time than simply diving in and doing the job for the other person, but is that really true? Exceptional communication is a prerequisite to coaching.

Coach 91

Coach Course Mentor Examples 91

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2021

Some people even believe that entrepreneurs must be born with the right genes, and no element of education is relevant. In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities.

Entrepreneur 149

Entrepreneur Tips Writing Coach 149

Berkonomics

AUGUST 17, 2023

A personal story as an investor … [Email readers, continue here…] My very first investment as a professional angel was in a small startup where the entrepreneur’s vision fueled my imagination in the audio market niche where I had run a business in an earlier life. Trust works both ways.

Invest 296

Invest Capital Startup Entrepreneur 296

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2019

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s classic book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Marketing 97

Marketing Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 97

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2022

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s classic book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Marketing 141

Marketing Startup Social Media Technical Review 141

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 2, 2014

We spend all our time as an industry talking about “growth hacking,” “design principles,” or “product/market fit” and not enough about the most important skills for success – people management. It’s why I called out the importance of “executive coaches” in this post.

Startup 385

Startup Coach Course Snapchat 385

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

I have to say that I didn’t take the question to mean that convertible debt had won for the entire market, but either way it’s clear that convertible debt has become an increasing trend. Clearly this is is a trend and a topic that is interesting entrepreneurs. In fact, in some ways can be worse for the entrepreneur.

Equity 319

Equity Pricing Venture Capital Entrepreneur 319

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2021

Over my years as an advisor to new businesses and startups, I have learned that the only certainty that I can offer entrepreneurs is the fact they will face many uncertainties. On the other hand, entrepreneurs have a reputation for being one of the happiest and healthiest career paths around. Show humility and own your mistakes.

Marketing 148

Marketing Coach Startup Product 148

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

The debt market has pretty much shut down for people, though there is some money coming out of the SBAs that have been somewhat helpful. And, the equity markets are certainly a more challenging environment. Mike Napoli: Actually, we are seeing entrepreneurs. Mike Napoli: I think it was the entrepreneur.

Tech Coast Angels 231

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review Angel Southern California 231

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2020

I heard it again recently from a technical entrepreneur who should know better than to believe the old “ Field of Dreams ” sports fantasy movie theme in today’s Internet information overload environment. In fact, having one marketing guru on the team alone won’t get you very far. Give credit. Marty Zwilling.

Marketing 130

Marketing Develop Development Startup 130

socalTECH

MARCH 28, 2019

Earlier this month, the annual Montgomery Summit conference was held in Santa Monica, including a special portion of the conference dedicated to the Rise of the Female Entrepreneur. I see you were involved in the Rise of the Female Entrepreneur effort at the Montgomery Summit this year, tell me a little about what that is all about?

Capital 162

Capital Entrepreneur Invest Artificial Inteligence 162

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 12, 2011

Just as Karch is a rarity, so are entrepreneurs who are equally facile at startups and Big Dumb Companies (BDCs). Such entrepreneurs are comfortable simultaneously playing a variety of roles, just as beach volleyball players are capable of serving, setting, blocking and spiking. Karch Kiraly (pronounced “cartch kur-ai”) is an anomaly.

Coach 232

Coach Organization Entrepreneur Activity 232

Berkonomics

JUNE 29, 2017

[Email readers, continue here…] My very first investment as a professional angel was in a small startup where the entrepreneur’s vision fueled my imagination in the audio market niche where I had run a business in an earlier life. As the company grew and became profitable, it became more visible to others in the market niche.

Invest 243

Invest Entrepreneur Sales Startup 243

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

And we wanted a head of global marketing. I acted as the occasional mentor, advisor and coach to Ethan. And I had been telling my partners for a couple of years that I thought Ethan was one of the more talented entrepreneurs I had come across in San Francisco. The company was called Red Beacon.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Entrepreneurship is all about leading – leading customers to a new product or service, leading a startup team to peak performance, and leading a new business to the market opportunity, while providing maximum return to stakeholders. Authentic entrepreneurs lead through the power of personal influence, rather than coercion.

Entrepreneur 116

Entrepreneur Mentor Coach Customer 116

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 6, 2020

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur. Help entrepreneurs with constant learning. Utilize business content curators and coaches.

Entrepreneur 137

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Education 137

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2013

Great entrepreneurs are not just idea people and then managers, they are extraordinary leaders. Yet beyond a list of noble attributes, like vision, courage, and integrity, it’s hard for them to define what separates an ordinary entrepreneur or manager from an extraordinary leader.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Coach Framework Tool 101

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 14, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- Using Twitter and Value of Market Intelligence. AccessEN will sponsor a keynote presentation by acclaimed author and columnist Mark Gibbs on the Twitter phenomenon and the value of market intelligence that companies can glean from social network analysis.

Marketing 100

Marketing Social Network Coach Networking 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 24, 2014

It turns out it actually takes time to build a high-growth business with differentiated intellectual property and roll out large, enterprise-class marketing solutions. Working with early-stage teams : coaching, mentoring, setting strategy, rolling up sleeves: 9/10. 5 years ago. Sourcing high-quality leads : 9/10. None have exited.

Venture Capital 387

Venture Capital Downey Writing Press 387

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2015

Entrepreneurship is all about leading – leading customers to a new product or service, leading a startup team to peak performance, and leading a new business to the market opportunity, while providing maximum return to stakeholders. Authentic entrepreneurs lead through the power of personal influence, rather than coercion.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Mentor Coach Customer 108

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? Because entrepreneurs often went to lawyers at their earliest stages to get their company registration done. They are likely taking losses on their first project with the entrepreneur so they select carefully.

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Startup Pricing Invest 347

TechCrunch LA

MAY 29, 2019

This is like talking about the NBA and the value of its sponsorships and broadcast rights as if that is the entirety of the basketball market in the US. Eric P: You have a fascinating background as a serial entrepreneur while you were a teenager. Delane P. :

Startup 204

Startup Coach Competition Los Angeles 204

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2020

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Nothing is more discouraging to aspiring entrepreneurs than the high failure rate. It’s now obvious that there is no market for what I created.”

Entrepreneur 121

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Course 121

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2014

VCs should be more of a coach than proscriptively telling you what to do. SEO marketing vs. social marketing. I think of VCs as coaches. But successful coaches find a way to get the most out of all the existing players on the field and avoid too much unnecessary trading. I call them “ VCs Seagulls.”

Venture Capital 364

Venture Capital Coach Writing SaaS 364

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2011

The Exchange Fund – This allows the entrepreneurs to diversify their founders stock into other portfolio companies stock. These speakers help coach CEO’s on important executive decisions. Office Hours – Two or three partners post a sign-up sheet to meet with entrepreneurs. Then they consider if it is a big enough market.

Capital 284

Capital Venture Capital Technical Review Startup 284

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2013

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I found some help from marketing coach David Newman’s new book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Startup 103

Startup Marketing Social Media Technical Review 103

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2014

Most entrepreneurs believe they are “different,” but they can’t quite understand how. A recent book, “ Hunting in a Farmer''s World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur ,” by serial entrepreneur and business coach John F. All this made more sense to me as Dini defined the types of entrepreneurs into four categories.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Startup News Slides 109

Berkonomics

JUNE 7, 2012

I am constantly surprised when speaking with entrepreneurs and CEO’s who act puzzled and a bit flustered when I ask, “So what is your mantra? It is often the most powerful but inexpensive marketing tool a young company has to offer. Tell me about your company in ten words or less.” You have only seconds to make a first impression.

Coach 204

Coach Email Entrepreneur Tool 204

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 28, 2010

We called it “integrated strategy.&# I actually think from a marketing perspective it could have been brilliant. But we couldn’t leave it as just a market positioning experience. I come from a world that if the coach wasn’t yelling at you, it meant he didn’t care. They were intwined. Me: “LOL.

Startup 378

Startup Framework Slides Coach 378

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Should I trust my instincts for founders and products or should I be more focused on the market size or business plan? Because entrepreneurs often went to lawyers at their earliest stages to get their company registration done. They are likely taking losses on their first project with the entrepreneur so they select carefully.

Startup 361

Startup Venture Capital Pricing Technical Review 361

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). For most entrepreneurs it will be the first time and also will have such a profound impact on their future financial situation that it’s hard to objectively handle the exit process in the way a seasoned pro can.

Invest 280

Invest Angel Venture Capital Yahoo 280

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2015

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” They just aren’t prepared for the life they want, and are really asking me how to learn to be an entrepreneur. Help entrepreneurs with constant learning. Utilize business content curators and coaches.

Entrepreneur 112

Entrepreneur Startup Education Tool 112

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 27, 2013

6 or 7 years ago when TechCrunch was at its peak market share (they are still strong but many more tech blogs have also popped up) there was a term for getting covered there called “the TechCrunch bounce.” That helps me figure out whether they’re in my target market or if they’ve raised too much money already.

Blogging 309

Blogging Journal Press Startup 309

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

And here’s an important point that I think modern entrepreneurs often forget: Investors are “co-owners” of your business. There are just as many bad entrepreneurs who do bad things. how to market our products and company. It surprises me that this is even controversial but in this day-and-age it sometimes is.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 1, 2010

You’ll get sales information from your VP of Sales, marketing information from your VP Marketing, tech information from your CTO and so on. When you hire a VP of Marketing who has three direct reports and then tell the people reporting to your VP Marketing what to do, you usurp the power and authority of your VP.

Startup 308

Startup CTO Coach Technical Review CTO Hire 308