Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 25, 2011

It’s nearly impossible to get a services company financed by VCs. And stop effing around trying to create a product company.&#. If you really want to do a product business then hire a professional manager for your services company, quit that job and focus 100% on your product company. You’re a small fish.

Services 332

Services Venture Capital IP Startup 332

socalTECH

JULY 28, 2014

In an intensely competitive area, how do you differentiate yourself and grow a company? With around a hundred employees in Los Angeles, and $40M in revenues, Fonality (www.fonality.com) --a developer of voice-over-IP phone software and systems--has managed to rise above the crowd of commodity voice-over-IP and PBX service providers.

IP 138

IP Culver City Customer Custom 138

InfoChachkie

MARCH 3, 2011

In the spirit of the “land grab” mentality of the day, we emphasized usage of our screen sharing technology with no thought applied to how we would convert such users into paying customers. Anyone, including well-healed, Big Dumb Companies, could offer state-of-the-art technical support for free. free weekly Infochachkie articles!

Customer 162

Customer Custom Technical Support Startup 162

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2010

Culver City-based Fonality , a developer of Voice-over-IP, business PBX phone software, said late last week that it served its one-billionth cloud-based call recently, and had "record sales" during Q4. The company offers both an on-premise version of its software, PBXtra, as well as a newer, cloud-based, hosted offering called UNBOUND.

Culver City 145

Culver City Draper IP Sales 145

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

The most obvious way to explain this is with sales people. If you hire 6 sales reps in January at $120,000 / year salary then you’ve taken on an extra $60,000 per month in costs yet these sales people might not close new business for 4-6 months. Are you looking to potentially sell the company in the next year or two?

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

socalTECH

JULY 24, 2009

Southern California's high tech news and companies. Backing Southern California's next great technology companies. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. Los Angeles-based executive search for emerging growth companies. Westlake Village.

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Orange County Southern California Westlake Village 100

socalTECH

APRIL 30, 2018

For this morning's interview, we caught up with Elizabeth Cholawsky , the new CEO of Santa Barbara-based HG Data (www.hgdata.com), which develops software which helps marketers and salespeople understand the "technology stack" of their potential customers and prospects. For those who aren't familiar with HG Data, what does the company do?

Santa Barbara 113

Santa Barbara High Tech Outsource Development Startup 113

Xconomy

OCTOBER 5, 2016

Dominating business-to-consumer sales, Amazon seems ready to take over the world of business-to-business too. In its first year, Amazon Business generated $1 billion in sales. It’s not yet an ecosystem driver in B2B, although the longer it takes for other business supply companies to catch up, the harder it will be to beat Amazon.

Organization 91

Organization Customer Custom Study 91

socalTECH

OCTOBER 21, 2009

The firm said it was advised by Moelis & Company and Bryan Cave LLP in the deal. Agilent's N2X Data Networks product line is used for testing and validating next generation networking equipment, including voice-over-IP, VPN, and data services. Ixia said the deal includes N2X's customers, sales, and R&D teams.

Product 133

Product Calabasas IP Networking 133

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll refine your sales and investor pitch. This is going to be fairly specific to the company. Beyond that, I want lots of conversations with experts, users, customers, VCs, partners, etc. NDAs or Other Protection So you decide you want to be able to share with experts, users, customers, VCs, partners, etc.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

You’ll refine your sales and investor pitch. This is going to be fairly specific to the company. Beyond that, I want lots of conversations with experts, users, customers, VCs, partners, etc. NDAs or Other Protection So you decide you want to be able to share with experts, users, customers, VCs, partners, etc.

Startup 198

Startup IP Ideas Patents 198

socalTECH

AUGUST 26, 2019

We spoke with Thomas on how the company's technology was spun out of Caltech, and why the startup believes the solar cell industry needs its technology. Thomas Russell: We're an early stage company, and we have R&D tools and R&D products currently available. What's the next step for your company? What does ETC Solar do?

CalTech 113

CalTech Outsource Development IP Marketing 113

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 13, 2018

You can make it 8–12 pages and the Title Page can say “YourCo Teaser Deck” or “YourCo Company Backgrounder”) so that it’s clear this isn’t your full pitch deck if you want. You want to develop a “narrative” that holds the readers attention and helps shape the company into context. Compelling. whether they invest or not.

Venture Capital 261

Venture Capital Slides Email Startup 261

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2013

Along with Greycroft Partners we were the first investors in Maker Studios 3 years ago when the company had no revenue and limited infrastructure. I agree with YouTube (that they provide more (hosting, ad sales, etc.) Building direct customer relationships with viewers (who want to tune into your channels). Sound interesting?

Networking 366

Networking Media Content Customer 366

socalTECH

JULY 9, 2012

What goes into the thought processes of companies when they're acquiring startups and other firms? We thought it would be insightful for our readerswho are usually looking to get acquired by other companieson what the thought process of those large companies making those acquisitions are.

Acquisition 173

Acquisition IP Networking Marketing 173

socalTECH

JUNE 21, 2019

Minnie Ingersoll: A few things, but most recently I started by own company, in 2013. Sometimes what I say, is if brand is your moat, and you're a direct-to-consumer company, versus where you really have some technology, and you have some IP, that's the side of the spectrum we play on. What do you look for in entrepreneurs?

Southern California 133

Southern California Startup Layoffs Venture Capital 133

socalTECH

JANUARY 14, 2011

MarketShare recently launched a rebranding effort for the company, and is in the midst of a major hiring and expansion phase. Wes Nichols: MarketShare is an analytics company. Its primary goal is to focus on identifying what is truly driving demand, analytically, so that our customers can optimize their activities.

Social Media 235

Social Media Demand Activity Marketing 235

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2009

It seems that every week, a new, Voice-over-IP provider firm surfaces in the market, either providing PBX services, voicemail, or other similar services. What is your VoIP service all about, and how is this different from what seems to be lots of Voice over IP service providers? Cliff Rees: We're a software as a solutions company.

IP 165

IP Pasadena Angels Pasadena Los Angeles 165

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

Of course you could start your own company. As I talked about in “ Is it Time to Learn or Time to Earn ” – overwhelmingly the best economics go to those that start successful companies. Of course I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t start a company. For many people that’s the right answer.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 150

SoCal CTO

MAY 15, 2009

Social networking sites and microblogs are used not only to build company brands, but to foster productivity; social media tools help build communities around the question, "What are you working on?" This Panel will explore issues such as: How can companies best utilize social networking media? What are the risks and rewards?

Social Network 150

Social Network Networking Yammer CTO Hire 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2012

Technologists often insist that new things can’t be invented on a schedule, but successful companies seem to be able to do it on a regular basis. Successful innovation turns ideas into money, to enhance customer value, and thus shareholder value. From time to time, include customers and sales members in ideation sessions.

Coach 98

Coach Ideas IP Sales 98

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

What I love about my job is getting to see teams of super-early-stage companies develop ideas that while raw have potential to make an impact on the market. Clearly the founders and senior executives of a company are the most valuable resources and their time should be maximized on the most valuable tasks.

Outsource Development 150

Outsource Development Metrics Startup Sales 150

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

When to get a lawyer - If you plan to be a venture or angel backed technology company (what I mostly write about) the best time to start meeting and getting to know lawyers is long before you ever start your company. Many people start companies arse backwards. Consider it a sales & marketing expense for them.

Startup 318

Startup IP Southern California Entrepreneur 318

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

As an entrepreneur and startup investor, I have helped create companies which achieved two IPOs which collectively raised over $100 million, as well as two acquisitions which totaled $385 million. 1) Expect Independent Channel Sales Reps To Perform Missionary Sales. Rationale: I cannot afford to hire a direct sales force.

Startup 242

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Sales 242

socalTECH

JULY 10, 2019

The company has raised $1.9M We spoke with CEO and co-founder Spencer Price to learn more about the company. Spencer Price: Halla is the only software company to dynamically profile human tastes so we can help people make better choices. We're an AI company that works at the intersection of personalization and food.

Pricing 113

Pricing Startup North Hollywood Platform 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 9, 2011

Technologists often insist that new things can’t be invented on a schedule, but successful companies seem to be able to do it on a regular basis. Successful innovation turns ideas into money, to enhance customer value, and thus shareholder value. From time to time, include customers and sales members in ideation sessions.

Coach 93

Coach Ideas IP Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2012

This is the origin of the “solution looking for a problem” and “if we build it, they will come” syndromes, which result in surprise and frustration waiting for funding, and waiting for customers that don’t materialize. Business strategy allows you to change customer perceptions and responses to your product or service offerings.

Startup 99

Startup Competition IP Patents 99

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2010

This is the origin of the “ solution looking for a problem ” and “ if we build it, they will come ” syndromes, which result in surprise and frustration waiting for funding, and waiting for customers that don’t materialize. Business strategy allows you to change customer perceptions and responses to your product or service offerings.

Startup 92

Startup Competition IP Patents 92

socalTECH

MAY 7, 2009

To try to understand what the company is up to, we spoke with the firm's President and CEO, Ken Hubbard. How did the company start? Ken Hubbard: About a year and a half ago, we spoke to a company called Vircas, which provides high definitive Internet television. We took three areas of software, which we have IP around.

IP 100

IP Networking Startup Platform 100

Tech.Co

MAY 22, 2018

One of the biggest turn offs for investors are founders who don’t know the basics of their business, especially their market and customer. They have to know their industry, know their customers, and understand what it takes to make their customers happy.”. The best advocate for your company is you. and prepare a response.

Tips 70

Tips Help Slides Technical Review 70

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 10, 2010

Shame they didn’t like his suggested name for the company: DreamWorks SKG-MM. You have to be selected to present and it is typically reserved for companies that have already raised early-stage capital and are well into revenue growth. A bank can help you balance fund raising with running your company. We discussed: 1.

Venture Capital 242

Venture Capital Mission Ventures Capital Help 242

Xconomy

JULY 19, 2016

As is typically the case in any industry, but even more so in security, larger companies with established customers and products typically innovate more slowly than startups that are not encumbered by a legacy business. It is hard to provide the highest level of defensive protection without innovative technology.

Symantec 40

Symantec IBM IBM Acquisition 40

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2011

For our readers who haven't yet heard of your company, what's the idea behind StarGreetz? Eric Frankel: StarGreetz is a digital media content company, that allows brands to stand out in a very cluttered marketplace. It literally lets them talk to their customers in a never-before way, on a one-on-one basis.

Entertainment 159

Entertainment Startup Class Santa Barbara 159

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2009

We caught up with the firm's CEO, Jason Spievak, to learn more about the firm's technology, as well as to hear about the company's experienced team, which came out of Callwave. That affiliate passes that to the advertiser, and minutes or hours later will call the potential customer back at their phone number. Explain your technology?

Advertising 113

Advertising Networking Santa Barbara Startup 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2010

Technologists often insist that new things can’t be invented on a schedule, but successful companies seem to be able to do it. Successful innovation turns ideas into money, to enhance customer value, and thus shareholder value. From time to time, include customers and sales members in ideation sessions. Value creation.

Coach 49

Coach Ideas IP Sales 49

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 5, 2010

They often make great team members such as head of products, CTO, head of sales, CFO, etc. Great companies are comprised of great individual point people or functional leaders. There are plenty of great leaders who work really hard and work for big companies. I finally called bullshit. Was I too harsh? I don’t think so.

Entrepreneur 293

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital CTO Hire 293

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 29, 2010

To get the story behind KTSi, we spoke with Dick Newark , CEO of the company, Chandler Williamson , CMO; and Rudy Lautz , CFO. The origins of the design that we have goes back to a company from the United Kingdom in the late 90's, and actually came out of high speed, centrifuge technology which is used for uranium enrichment.

Design 138

Design Training Southern California Outsource Development 138