Berkonomics

MAY 11, 2023

So, what do you think is more important? But the most important ones for any size business, including start-ups, is: Do you believe it should be the quality of your management team, or the plan you execute so brilliantly toward your success? Do you want a unanimous answer right away? There may be more choices here.

Statistics 156

Statistics Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 156

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 22, 2011

Feature, not a company. Whether something is a feature or a company is clearly subjective. And sometimes features (say, Twitter) turn into companies. I talked in specifics about a bunch of my investments including Factual , MongoLab , Maker Studios and Gogii (maker of TextPlus ). What do I think now? Well marketed.

Company 295

Company Companies Gogii Google 295

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2023

He succinctly outlines the key behaviors that I believe every business leader must focus on, to drive innovation without waiting for the next competitive crisis: Avoid the assumption that current gifts will keep on giving. Sponsor experiments and measure like new investments. Invest more energy in the “horse you can control.”

Framework 96

Framework Competition Ideas IBM 96

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2016

We believe that it is incrementally harder to differentiate on simple Internet products or mobile apps and while great companies are built doing this, our goal as a fund is to try and fund things that can be 100x returns if they work. We’re not Pollyannaish about this. In short, we’re after venture returns.

Company 207

Company Companies CTO Coach Funding 207

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

But what IS the right amount of burn for a company? Burn rate in case you don’t know is the amount of money a company is either spending (gross) or losing (net) per month. (it Conversely if you’re burning $600,000 per month (yes, some companies do) then you only have 5 months of cash left.

Startup 383

Startup Company Companies .Net 383

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 20, 2014

I was an early and tireless advocate for the growth of the Internet video ecosystem and as virtually every article I wrote made clear I believe the 800-pound-gorilla is YouTube and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Many people (including inside of YouTube) mistook this to mean that I was negative on YouTube itself. So Why MiTú?

Invest 291

Invest Content Media Networking 291

TechEmpower

AUGUST 21, 2023

What does a business leader do in this situation? At TechEmpower, we’ve conducted more than 50 technical reviews for companies of all sizes, industries, and technical stacks. Keeping up with the competition: You’re a market leader in a fast-growing field. Your investors and buyers will be doing a technical review.

Technical Review 260

Technical Review Development Team Review Software Review TechEmpower 260

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2010

I’m very pleased today to announce that I invested, on behalf of GRP Partners, in Burstly alongside Rincon Venture Partners , an early stage VC in Southern California whith whom we love to work (and were our co-investors on RingRevenue ). Naturally I’m excited about this investment or I wouldn’t have done it.

Mobile 282

Mobile Invest Company Companies 282

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

Scott Kupor of A16Z responded with a comprehensive overview of valuation methodology in a post that while accurate feels more targeted at sophisticated Limited Partners (LPs) who invest in funds. I have no incentive to do so other than to help those reading the WSJ piece better understand how I believe most insiders think.

Venture Capital 264

Venture Capital Invest Funding Competition 264

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Most new business owners I know feel the challenges of not enough time, money, and resources, and see these as problems rather than a competitive advantage. Many are quick to call this innovation, but I believe it is often just the resourcefulness of a highly motivated owner and team, who never give up in the face of a survival challenge.

Resource 111

Resource Competition Outsource Development Startup 111

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

He succinctly outlines the key behaviors that I believe every business leader must focus on, to drive innovation without waiting for the next competitive crisis: Avoid the assumption that current gifts will keep on giving. Sponsor experiments and measure like new investments. Invest more energy in the “horse you can control.”

Tips 160

Tips Framework Competition Ideas 160

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 10, 2021

In an exclusive interview with TechCrunch, Klarna CEO and founder Sebastian Siemiatkowski said the company has seen explosive growth in the U.S. While the company was profitable for its first 14 years of life, it has not been profitable the last two, according to Siemiatkowski, and that’s been by design. billion valuation.

Los Angeles 266

Los Angeles Funding CIO Marketing 266

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 29, 2010

Competitiveness - One attribute that I believe most VCs look for in entrepreneurs is competitiveness. I know I do. If you stumble on to a really good idea believe me it will get competitive really quickly. I know that people who aren’t competitive always find competitive people slightly distasteful.

Competition 296

Competition Entrepreneur Startup GRP Partners 296

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

I’m a believer in the old saying that investors look for great people, more than great ideas. During my time in Silicon Valley, I was struck by the fact that most successful entrepreneurs seemed to personally know and regularly hear from all the “movers and shakers” who had the investment capital and leadership they needed.

Startup 113

Startup Customer Custom Technical Review 113

SoCal CTO

MAY 19, 2010

What if you believe you have a company that will be a profitable $10M company with obvious exits? Can you raise $750K - $1M with no future investments planned? Do you need to get past the organizations to the individuals? Do you need to get past the organizations to the individuals?

Invest 205

Invest Angel Tech Coast Angels Pasadena Angels 205

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2023

The short answer is that some banks will help, if you do your homework. The first thing to remember is that banks only do loans – they generally don’t do equity investments like angels and venture capitalists (and vice versa). If you don’t have that, there are things that you can do to compensate.

Equity 121

Equity Technical Advisors Funding Ideas 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2021

By definition, all of you entrepreneurs are leaders, by taking the initiative to start a new company. Some are great product leaders and innovative technologists, others are leaders in creating new business models , a few can assemble great teams , but only the rare exception can do all three.

Coach 162

Coach Startup Resource Competition 162

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 22, 2015

Conventional wisdom says I shouldn’t tell you this because I invested in their main competitor, MakeSpace. I know my MakeSpace friends will forgive me because I just don’t believe the conventional wisdom is right. Clutter is LA based and many of my friends invested. Healthy competition keeps you on your toes.

Funding 150

Funding Competition Marketing Summary 150

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2018

If you truly believe that you, your company and your products are exceptional and your company will be valuable then you’re actually doing them a FAVOR by helping them invest in your startup. an investment in your company. This is where most founders err.

Venture Capital 332

Venture Capital Funding Startup Sales 332

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 9, 2022

This round is being led by Point72 Private Investments, with previous backers Toba Capital, Index Ventures, Bonfire Ventures, BoxGroup, and VMG Partners also participating. But at the same time, Los Angeles–based Boulevard got this funding infusion at a boosted valuation because it has been on a roll. Focusing on the U.S.

Help 195

Help Startup UCLA Tool 195

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

Must be doing something right! AngelList 101 : As you know, AngelList is a platform where angels can invest in semi-screened tech deals. As an angel you can look for the social proof in deals “Dave Morin is investing …” to make your decision. So there you have it. Social proof can be helpful. founder fighting.

Venture Capital 356

Venture Capital Invest Course Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2020

The short answer is that some banks will help, if you do your homework. The first thing to remember is that banks only do loans – they don’t do equity investments like angels and venture capitalists (and vice versa). If you don’t have that, there are things that you can do to compensate. An impressive team.

Technical Advisors 162

Technical Advisors Tips Startup Equity 162

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 20, 2020

It won’t happen right away but I’ve seen some innovative companies doing exactly this in places like Australia where they are taking a more liberal approach to allowing drone deliveries. they just put up with the food delivery company fees. Customers were happy and restaurants focused on their in-store business.

SaaS 242

SaaS Customer Custom Technical Review 242

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2022

Although I don’t have any magic formula for you to get there, I do espouse a set of actions for every aspiring leader that were summarized well in a new book, “ The Power of One More , ” by Ed Mylett. Think of it as an investment, rather than an obligation. Believe in, care, and show people how to live better.

Resource 114

Resource Coach Startup Training 114

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2023

Incidentally, if you never thought of yourself as being an A-Player employee, you probably will struggle even more in the competitive entrepreneur world. I now believe that every entrepreneur needs to think like an A-Player. Understand the need for an investment well before results.

Entrepreneur 85

Entrepreneur Customer Custom Competition 85

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 30, 2018

If you’re talking with a typical Seed/A/B round firm they often have ownership targets in the company in which they invest. Since they have limited capital and limited time availability they often try to make concentrated investments across companies in which they have the highest conviction.

Venture Capital 324

Venture Capital Pricing Startup Invest 324

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 12, 2014

They often create the biggest tensions between investors who are investing at different stages in the business. I have seen bad behavior from later-stage VCs, believe me. Put simply – if you invested early in Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. would you want to give up the right to invest in subsequent rounds?

Guide 336

Guide Venture Capital Startup Writing 336

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

One of the least understood parts of the venture capital industry and venture capital firms is how investment decisions actually get made. For anything that would be considered a normal investment for the partnership most firms try to make sure every partner has seen the deal and has a chance to weigh in.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Capital Startup Invest 150

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 16, 2014

The speaks to the continued confidence in the venture capital markets and as I had predicted some time ago the VC markets right now are a great place to invest – especially relative to other places to put one’s money. Our last fund we raised was in 2012 and we began investing it in April of 2012. But that’s it.

Venture Capital 396

Venture Capital Funding Technical Review Startup 396

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2021

Would you do that if it was your money? These normally include what percentage of the company the investor now owns, how and when tranches of money will be delivered, and even how and when you can sell your own shares (liquidation preferences). Your very role as CEO is at risk if the Board is not satisfied with your progress.

Funding 173

Funding Startup Entrepreneur Report 173

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2021

A while back I received a discouraging note from an entrepreneur with a patent and a medical software application who couldn’t find a dime of investment, and was grousing that seed funding just wasn’t available anymore. Too many people still believe the urban myth that you can sketch your idea on a napkin, and people will throw money at you.

Software Review 123

Software Review Seed Funding Funding Startup 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

In these days of global competition via multiple channels, you need continuous marketing to find more customers. More and more customers today do their initial shopping on the Internet, and they won’t even believe you exist if you have no presence, or the content is stale. They won’t find you.

Technical Review 142

Technical Review Social Media Conference Customer 142

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 20, 2013

In my first enterprise software company we developed a methodology for sales that we called PUCCKA , which I wrote about previously. Having a good sales methodology can help you ensure your company runs more disciplined campaigns and focuses scarce resources on your best opportunities. You should never do this.

Sales 336

Sales Startup Competition Customer 336

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2020

Incidentally, if you never thought of yourself as being an A-Player employee, you probably will struggle even more in the competitive entrepreneur world. I now believe that every entrepreneur needs to think like an A-Player. I now believe that every entrepreneur needs to think like an A-Player.

Entrepreneur 159

Entrepreneur Customer Custom Competition 159

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 18, 2014

If the deal is from out of your geography and/or out of your focus area or a deal is being referred by a well-know investor who normally co-invests with similar syndicates – at least ask yourself, “Why am I so lucky to be getting this call.” I tried to make a simple point: People have motives when they send you a deal.

Venture Capital 337

Venture Capital Invest Ideas Entrepreneur 337

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2021

An MBA or other academic credentials just don’t do it. Therefore, the least you can do is take advantage of some of the self-assessment tools and guides around, like the classic book “ The Entrepreneur Equation ,” by Carol Roth, which highlights personal characteristics and skills required. Examine the marketplace and your competition.

Entrepreneur 169

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Guide 169

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

Vance, the author of ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ and a managing partner at Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Fund, which backs seed-stage companies based outside Silicon Valley. ” One of Cowboy’s portfolio companies opted to relocate from Silicon Valley to Colorado when it came time to scale their business.

Venture Capital 279

Venture Capital Startup Capital Entrepreneur 279