Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2016

I’m sure all of you know one or more of the 200 or more young companies that are currently valued at one billion or more by investors and stockholders. What every entrepreneur is asking me these days, is “How do I get to be a unicorn?” Don’t be afraid to give up equity to get a small share of a very large pot.

Company 100

Company Companies Startup Statistics 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Your company has outgrown you.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Equity 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

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

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Technical Review Course Patents 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2020

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Access to intellectual property and current research.

Class 124

Class Startup Resource Mentor 124

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Many entrepreneurs are so focused on finalizing their innovative product or service that they procrastinate on the formalities of forming the requisite new company until later. Building a business plan is a discipline every entrepreneur needs to learn early, required or not.

Company 61

Company Companies Startup Equity 61

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2014

The first question I usually get is what percent of the company or equity is that person worth? Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean you “deserve” 90 percent of the equity. The value in a startup is all about tangible results, so there is no equity value in the idea alone. Key to required patents or trade secrets.

Equity 104

Equity Patents Startup CTO Hire 104

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 28, 2013

Helping solicit new business ideas and patents from individuals, federal research labs, universities and other R&D organizations countrywide. One becomes a member by creating a profile, add team members, promote their company page and message or receive updates about the companies they follow. Social network for investors.

El Segundo 76

El Segundo Social Network Startup Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. Ideally, they will have links to distributors you need, or even be investors in your company as well. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Angel Technical Review Course 96

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

In fact, an entrepreneur friend of mine, who made millions on her marketing expertise, asserted recently that most inventors fail in business because they refuse to believe that any business expertise or experience is worth more than 5 percent in partner equity. Patents are not worth the effort, since big companies will win.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Patents Entrepreneur Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Start early by registering your company, and reserving the name as your website domain name. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. Do not delegate this task! Create intellectual property.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Social Network Startup Patents 98

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Your company has outgrown you.

Technical Review 95

Technical Review Startup Equity Entrepreneur 95

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 22, 2018

Founded by Steve Poizner last year to accelerate the growth of a startup entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southern California, The Alliance is building a network of investors, entrepreneurs and universities to provide ballast in the south to the dominance of the Northern California tech industry.

Southern California 224

Southern California Dollar Shave Club SoCal Develop 224

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

The intent of this question is to determine the level of commitment of founders, both cash and “sweat equity,” and how much others have already invested into this plan. What’s the total history of this company? Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Patents 95

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Unless you are a serial entrepreneur with a string of successes behind you, you need a business plan to convince investors that you can build a business out of the dream that has been driving your passion to change the world. For example, “I just patented a new cell-phone technology that will double battery life for half the cost.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2015

" Investors want to buy into an entrepreneur with a startup that can provide evidence of an ability to double customer productivity, at half the cost, with patented technology. Patents or other intellectual property are a real competitive advantage for a startup, but first to market and working harder are not sustainable.

Summary 101

Summary Patents Technical Review Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2012

If you are an entrepreneur starting a business for the first time, I recommend that you find a product concept that is already accepted and improve on it, rather than tackling that ultimate disruptive technology. Of course, the first one gets the patent. Evidence of success using this approach is all around us.

Patents 84

Patents Startup Statistics Course 84

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

I’m still amazed at how many technical entrepreneurs don’t have a business pitch, and offer me their product pitch or product spec instead. Solo entrepreneurs have a hard time finding an investor. Patents, trade secrets, and trademarks are very attractive to investors, since these are not easily overcome by competitors.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. On the top line, angel investors look to invest in entrepreneurs that have an almost unwavering passion and sense of urgency. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t succeed, even with funding.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Entrepreneur Course Patents 109

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2011

If you are an entrepreneur starting a business for the first time, I recommend that you find a product concept that is already accepted and improve on it, rather than tackling that ultimate disruptive technology. Of course, the first one gets the patent. Evidence of success using this approach is all around us.

Startup 91

Startup Patents Statistics Course 91

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Entrepreneurs who are looking to attract investors need to develop and pitch a plan -- preferably written -- that answers every potential investor question about your startup before it is asked. This is also the place to first mention patents and any other differentiators that put you ahead of competition.

Invest 108

Invest Startup Slides Equity 108

socalTECH

MARCH 28, 2014

Los Angeles-based mobile advertising company Airpush has quietly grown to around $100M in annual revenues, according to a recent ranking from Forbes--a big surprise, as the company was completely bootstrapped by founder Asher Delug , who eschewed the usual use of venture capital and private equity to build a company to those revenue levels.

Startup 196

Startup Mobile Advertising Organization 196

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2014

In today''s electronic world, there is an immense number of data sources creating millions of data points that companies are hoping to make sense of. Bitvore is based in Irvine, and is backed by serial entrepreneur Yuri Pikover, as well as other angels. What companies are looking for, and what they care about, are material events.

Orange County 245

Orange County Startup News IBM 245

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Ten Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Putting LA on the Map. Tech startup accelerators dot the landscape, feeding investments into the waiting arms of the nation’s most intelligent and driven entrepreneurs. Founder and CEO since starting the company back in 1999, Miller has led Cornerstone through 11 years of consecutive growth.

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Entrepreneur Riot Games Southern California 75

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

As an active angel investor myself, I understand how the process works, and I see the disappointment in the eyes of entrepreneurs who approach angel groups for funding and often get turned away for not being timely or prepared in the minds of potential investors. In addition, your company and social media names are key intellectual property.

Angel 65

Angel Startup Technical Review Social Media 65

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2012

But many entrepreneurs don’t realize that Angels are also extremely discerning in the projects that they will invest in, rejecting approximately 97% of the proposals submitted to them, according to the California Investment Network. In today’s world, if you don’t have a web site up and running, you will not be perceived as a real company.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2013

The intent of this question is to determine the level of commitment of founders, both cash and “sweat equity,” and how much others have already invested into this plan. What’s the total history of this company? Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 101

Startup Invest Patents Entrepreneur 101

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Can you tell us more about your company. What makes the Coachella Valley an ideal place to start a company? More recently though, the startup ecosystem here has been working to broaden industrial variety to include “clean tech” companies like ourselves. Hank McCarrick, CEO and founder of Seco Sys.

Startup 105

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 105

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Can you tell us more about your company. What makes the Coachella Valley an ideal place to start a company? More recently though, the startup ecosystem here has been working to broaden industrial variety to include “clean tech” companies like ourselves. Hank McCarrick, CEO and founder of Seco Sys.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 119

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2016

If you expect an equity investment from reputable investors for your new startup, you need to know the boundaries that often limit their interest. On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, a well-written and complete business plan demonstrates that you understand the issues and have a real plan for execution.

Funding 57

Funding Social Media Startup Patents 57

Tech Coast Venture Network

FEBRUARY 22, 2010

Two Basic Colors – Debt (borrow) and Equity (buy). 14 Sources of Money – From family, friends, and fools to being a public company. Entrepreneurs who have the discipline to plan well significantly increase their odds of success. Use Basic Tools – Budget, Cash Flow Forecast, and a good Accounting System.

Design 100

Design Resource Metrics Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Yet according to the latest data from Gust (formerly AngelSoft), only about 3 out of 100 companies who initiate the formal request process actually get funded. The Gust Deal Funnel from the last 12 months indicates is that 70% of the interested companies never make it past the initial screening process. Line up an experienced team.

Invest 99

Invest Angel Technical Review Summary 99

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Start early by registering your company, and reserving the name as your website domain name. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. spirit entrepreneur startup mistakes business'

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2012

The intent of this question is to determine the level of commitment of founders, both cash and “sweat equity,” and how much others have already invested into this plan. What’s the total history of this company? Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage.

Startup 97

Startup Invest Patents Customer 97

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Yet according to the latest data from AngelSoft , only about 3 out of 100 companies who initiate the formal request process actually get funded. The AngelSoft Deal Funnel from the last 12 months indicates is that 70% of the interested companies never make it past the initial screening process. are eliminated during due diligence.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89