Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2017

As a long-time mentor and advisor to new business owners, I can attest to both the need for mentoring, and the satisfaction that comes from watching an aspiring but tentative entrepreneur grow into someone capable of changing the world. Building relationships, and finding ways for a win-win, is what mentoring is about.

Mentor 73

Mentor Entrepreneur Satisfaction Summary 73

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2022

I’m convinced that’s why most mature companies are slowing down or buying their innovation through acquisition, rather than building it. Seek out experts and return with ideas and resources. Startup founders need to be more like hunter-gatherers, seeking out experts and trying new ideas to address their challenges.

Competition 102

Competition Company Companies Startup 102

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

I was at a dinner recently in Chicago and the table discussion was about building great companies outside of Silicon Valley. It’s not the great companies you build, it’s the silent killer of those that should have been build locally and weren’t. Klout was an LA company – sold for $200 million to Lithium.

Company 369

Company Companies Startup Snapchat 369

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2021

In other words, the entrepreneur quality is more important than the idea -- in investor jargon, people invest in the jockey, and not the horse. High leaders continually challenged their own ideas and were quicker to adapt them to encompass new information, experiences, and meaning. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Entrepreneur 165

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Invest 165

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2022

During my many years of mentoring professionals and entrepreneurs in business, I more often see people focusing on how to get their ideas heard , than how to promote themselves. I’m convinced that great results are better than great ideas, and a great perception of you as a person is better than both ideas and results.

Tips 121

Tips Social Media Mentor Technical Review 121

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2012

The servant leader serves the people they lead through mentoring, direct assistance, listening, and acting on their employees input. Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around? Does everyone feel a strong sense of community in the company you lead? Marty Zwilling.

Mentor 109

Mentor Startup Organization Ideas 109

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2016

I’ve spoken before about our desire at Upfront Ventures to fund really big ideas that solve hard problems, are science led and if successful will both have a positive effect on people’s lives as well as make great financial returns. We’re not Pollyannaish about this. They have raised $14 million to date.

Company 207

Company Companies CTO Coach Funding 207

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2021

Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for customers that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Everyone and every company needs to continually learn from their experience and adapt to a changing world to thrive. Listen and act on the ideas of others around you.

Entrepreneur 167

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Customer 167

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2017

Most business mentors tell me that the single biggest problem they have to deal with in small companies is the lack of open, honest, and effective communication, both from the top down and from the bottom up. Founders have to communicate their ideas and products to investors, business partners, and the rest of the team.

Mentor 61

Mentor Technical Review Entrepreneur Guide 61

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 27, 2022

Since it takes a team of people to build a great company, the challenge is to find that small percentage of innovative people, and then nurture the tendency, rather than stifle it. The story most specifically targets big companies, like Boeing, but the concepts are just as applicable to a startup with one or more employees.

Competition 153

Competition Mentor Ideas Organization 153

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Entrepreneurs are people who dream up new ideas, and then commercialize them into new businesses. Most people believe that the hard part is coming up with the idea, and the easy part is turning it into a business. Together they set the standard for collaboration and culture that will make or break the company.

Ideas 72

Ideas Startup Metrics Entrepreneur 72

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Most colleges have now added classes in entrepreneurship to include the necessary business focus to technical majors that usually drive innovative ideas. Take advantage of free startup programs and mentors. Every school recognizes the power of “hands-on” work to help you develop your own ideas into a business.

Entrepreneur 157

Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2021

Here is a short list of the areas where you should be able to find help, whether you are a student or an independent entrepreneur: Exploring hot ideas. Collaborative efforts with local companies, like Siemens Venture Capital, are available for certain technology and focus areas. Connections to a mentor. Legal guidance.

Incubator 172

Incubator Mentor Class Resource 172

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Thus, in my view, entrepreneurship is an evolution of an idea through a series of developmental stages, culminating in a self-sustaining business. Startup and development stage.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Satisfaction 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Whether you are a business professional in a big company, or an entrepreneur with a startup, innovation is a key strategy. Many people believe that new ideas are the critical element of innovation, but in my experience as a mentor and investor, long-term business success is more about implementation than ideas.

Artificial Inteligence 114

Artificial Inteligence Ideas Satisfaction Customer 114

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Even an extraordinary engineer or product lead who have built a breakthrough product aren’t guaranteed success unless they can get access to capital, get much needed press to drive low-cost customer acquisition and persuade fickle business leaders to join their company and help them shape their businesses beyond tech innovation.

Mentor 150

Mentor Venture Capital Marketing Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2023

He brings over 25 years of experience with Silicon Valley leadership companies in highlighting winners and losers. As standalone innovators, these may have trouble recognizing where the mother ship skills and expertise can be applied to develop innovation ideas properly. Coach: force for stability and mentoring.

Coach 96

Coach Ideas Mentor Organization 96

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Your idea may be technically right, but without a business plan, it could be dead right, which is not the result anyone is looking for.

Startup 102

Startup Writing Mentor Sample 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have no idea how dramatically your own role has to evolve as you develop a solution, start a business, and expect it to scale into a successful self-managed company. Lead and mentor team members to run all business areas. All teams must be motivated and engaged by your leadership and mentoring.

Company 99

Company Companies Technical Review Startup 99

InfoChachkie

MAY 12, 2016

If you are a recent college graduate, mentor college students. Don’t worry, you can apologize after the fact, when you point to the positive impact your initiative had on your company. Keep An Idea Journal. As Stephen Johnson demonstrates in Where Good Ideas Come From , epiphanies are rare. Refine Your Personal Pitch.

Company 80

Company Companies Startup Mentor 80

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 30, 2017

Startup Weekend is a 54 hour event, where attendees pitch ideas, form teams and launch companies/products. The event is very community focused and provides a place for budding entrepreneurs to find co-founders, mentors and momentum for their ideas. We are looking for the next big thing in Sports, Fitness, and Performance.

Startup 100

Startup Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 29, 2017

Startup Weekend is a 54 hour event, where attendees pitch ideas, form teams and launch companies/products. The event is very community focused and provides a place for budding entrepreneurs to find co-founders, mentors and momentum for their ideas. We are looking for the next big thing in Sports, Fitness, and Performance.

Startup 100

Startup Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 28, 2017

Startup Weekend is a 54 hour event, where attendees pitch ideas, form teams and launch companies/products. The event is very community focused and provides a place for budding entrepreneurs to find co-founders, mentors and momentum for their ideas. We are looking for the next big thing in Sports, Fitness, and Performance.

Startup 100

Startup Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2022

As a mentor to many business professionals and owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs, I find a wealth of innovative ideas, but often less insight on what it really takes to transform ideas into an income stream that can excite new customers into long-term business success. A great innovation starts with at least three ideas.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Writing 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2023

The servant leader serves the people they lead through mentoring, direct assistance, listening, and acting on their employees input. Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around? Does everyone feel a strong sense of community in the company you lead? Marty Zwilling

Mentor 92

Mentor Organization Ideas Examples 92

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2017

As a mentor for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, I talk to a fair number who may have a great vision and a strong engineering background, but have a negative interest in the role of public speaking in business. The implications to you and your company are also large, so be prepared. Are you there yet? Marty Zwilling.

Company 97

Company Companies Entrepreneur Customer 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). Let’s take a look here some similar stages from a support perspective: Idea stage. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Startup 122

Startup Funding Organization Incubator 122

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 22, 2013

According to the school, it has launched the The LMU CBA Business Incubator , a brand new startup incubator focused on companies in the technology and consumer products area. Choi--is launching with nine student and alumni companies, and provides space, advisors and mentors, and connections to startups. READ MORE>>.

Incubator 258

Incubator LMU West Los Angeles Startup 258

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 13, 2018

Presented by the Pasadena Angels in partnership with LAVA and Expert Dojo Launching a successful start-up requires more than grit, caffeine and an innovative idea. A successful start-up requires funding, mentoring, and smart connections.

LAVA 100

LAVA Pasadena Angels Funding Santa Monica 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

They dream of appearing at the door, with their idea on the back of a napkin, and popping out a few months later with investor money to burn. Y Combinator , led by Paul Graham, claims success with 3000 companies over 15 years, with a combined value of over $300 billion. Expert mentoring and training. Initial funding.

Incubator 146

Incubator Technical Review Entrepreneur Mentor 146

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Start early by registering your company, and reserving the name as your website domain name. Unfortunately, for every success story you see, there is an even longer list of failure stories with mistakes that you don’t see.

Mentor 100

Mentor Startup Social Network Patents 100

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2018

It's a term to help people understand that we're here to help companies get ready to scale. Most of our mentors are people who have been successful entrepreneurs and investors, who have been there, and understand how to get a company to the next sage. Explain what Startup Boost is? How did Startup Boost start?

Startup 172

Startup Seed Funding Mentor Ideas 172

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 13, 2017

Launching your start-up requires more than grit, determination and a great idea. A successful start-up requires funding, mentoring and strong community partnerships. Engage in our panel discussion with Pasadena Angels' portfolio companies and network with our angel investors. Thursday, October 19, 2017 -- How I Got Funded.

Pasadena Angels 100

Pasadena Angels Funding Pasadena Startup 100

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Designed to be a collaborative startup company incubator alongside corporate partners, Launchpad focuses on developing new consumer tech businesses focused on M13’s main investment areas: health, food, transportation, and housing. “ The EIRs will receive a small stipend and equity in the business, Barber said.

Startup 178

Startup Incubator Los Angeles IP 178

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2020

The servant leader serves the people they lead through mentoring, direct assistance, listening, and acting on their employees input. Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around? Does everyone feel a strong sense of community in the company you lead? Marty Zwilling.

Mentor 161

Mentor Organization Ideas Examples 161

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2022

In my own experience as a startup advisor and mentor, I find that entrepreneurs who can’t attract and maintain a highly motivated team rarely even get off the ground. Good hiring, training, and mentoring are the best motivators. Your display of pride in the company and respect for the customer will translate directly into motivation.

Examples 145

Examples Mentor Activity Product 145

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). Prior to the growth stage, your company valuation is limited to goodwill based on intellectual property and team experience, since you have no revenue.

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Funding Startup Ideas Equity 125