Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing sweat equity or just sweat.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2013

Entrepreneurs who utter this line are kidding themselves. That’s probably the soft way of saying, we don’t have a patent or any “secret sauce” for a competitive advantage. Investors expect the founder and other principals to have “skin in the game,” over and above “sweat equity.” We have the first-mover advantage.”

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Social Network IBM 111

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. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. It’s also the keystone to convincing investors that you have a “sustainable competitive advantage.”

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

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. Include your sustainable competitive advantage. Focus on a specific market segment to match your solution.

Summary 101

Summary Patents Technical Review Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs. Note the growth of your team and your own leadership.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2013

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing sweat equity or just sweat.

Startup 100

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 100

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

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. Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. How much “skin” is already in the game?

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Patents 95

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. Intellectual property and sustainable competitive advantage. Specific investment size request, and equity offered.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

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

APRIL 2, 2016

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs. Note the growth of your team and your own leadership.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

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

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing sweat equity or just sweat.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

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. These are all accredited investors who risk their own money.

Angel 65

Angel Startup Technical Review Social Media 65

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2010

Although their book is written for businesses of all sizes, I believe the principles apply especially to startups as follows: To increase return on equity invested. All strategic and business thinking must lead to immediate action to increase sales and profitability potential, relative to your competition. Intellectual property (IP).

Startup 92

Startup Competition IP Patents 92

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2012

Although their book is written for businesses of all sizes, I believe the principles apply especially to startups as follows: Increase return on equity invested. All strategic and business thinking must lead to immediate action to increase sales and profitability potential, relative to your competition. Intellectual property (IP).

Startup 99

Startup Competition IP Patents 99

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2014

Bitvore is based in Irvine, and is backed by serial entrepreneur Yuri Pikover, as well as other angels. Whether that''s for competitive analysis or market analysis, our product is basically able to monitor--on a very large scale--things that are important to your particular company. It''s designed for business people.

Orange County 245

Orange County Startup News IBM 245

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2016

Filing a provisional patent costs very little if you do it yourself, and it holds your place in line for a year. Give away more equity than required to drive the business. Reality check first your sizing of the opportunity, competition, and margins. Reveal “secret sauce” before filing intellectual property.

Startup 62

Startup Patents Entrepreneur Writing 62

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. Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. due diligence employee entrepreneur investor startup'

Startup 101

Startup Invest Patents Entrepreneur 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2012

Describe your technology patents and “secret sauce”. Competition and sustainable advantage. List and position your competition, or alternatives available to the customer. Highlight your sustainable competitive advantages, and barriers to entry. What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment?

Slides 99

Slides Competition Sample Sales 99

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

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. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Line up an experienced team.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2010

Describe your technology patents and “secret sauce”. Competition and sustainable advantage. List and position your competition, or alternatives available to the customer. Highlight your sustainable competitive advantages, and barriers to entry. What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment?

Slides 94

Slides Competition Sample Sales 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2011

Describe your technology patents and “secret sauce”. Competition and sustainable advantage. List and position your competition, or alternatives available to the customer. Highlight your sustainable competitive advantages, and barriers to entry. What equity is the company willing to give in return for the investment?

Slides 93

Slides Competition Sample Sales 93

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. Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don’t add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. How much “skin” is already in the game?

Startup 97

Startup Invest Patents Customer 97

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

The corporate entity lends itself best to the concept of “sharing” equity required by investors, and unincorporated entities don’t get funding. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Every entrepreneur needs a professional business plan for their own use, whether they intend to seek investor funding or not.

Invest 99

Invest Angel Technical Review Summary 99

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Entrepreneurs who utter this line are kidding themselves. That’s probably the soft way of saying, we don’t have a patent or any “secret sauce” for a competitive advantage. Investors expect the founder and other principals to have “skin in the game,” over and above “sweat equity.” We have the first-mover advantage.”

Startup 95

Startup Social Network IBM IBM 95

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

The corporate entity lends itself best to the concept of “sharing” equity required by investors, and unincorporated entities don’t get funding. File a patent and trademarks to show real intellectual property. Every entrepreneur needs a professional business plan for their own use, whether they intend to seek investor funding or not.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2010

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. Provisional patents, or lawsuits pending, don't add up to a strong sustainable competitive advantage. How much "skin” is already in the game? Marty Zwilling.

Startup 91

Startup Invest Patents Entrepreneur 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2011

Entrepreneurs who utter this line are kidding themselves. That’s probably the soft way of saying, we don’t have a patent or any “secret sauce” for a competitive advantage. Investors expect the founder and other principals to have “skin in the game,” over and above “sweat equity.” We have the first-mover advantage.”

Startup 98

Startup Social Network IBM IBM 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. It’s also the keystone to convincing investors that you have a “sustainable competitive advantage.”

Startup 104

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 104

InfoChachkie

JUNE 25, 2009

Some startup attorneys will accept a portion of their initial fees in the form of equity. When you hit the inevitable bumps in the road, a lawyer who has an equity stake in your business is more likely to be flexible with respect to payment terms and more willing to give you quick, off-the-clock feedback and guidance.

Technical Advisors 124

Technical Advisors Technical Review IP Patents 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. It’s also the keystone to convincing investors that you have a “sustainable competitive advantage.”

Startup 101

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. File a provisional patent, register a trademark, and reserve your company domain names. It’s also the keystone to convincing investors that you have a “sustainable competitive advantage.”

Tips 88

Tips Startup CTO Hire Press 88

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 9, 2009

We brought together Peter Cowen of Groundwork Equity , Mark Suster of GRP Partners , Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures , and Richard Yen of Saban Ventures -- all of who will be on the judging panel for the Tech Coast Angel's Fast Pitch on February 24th, to give us a their hints and tips about pitching to venture capitalists.

Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Coast Angels Ideas Entrepreneur Invest 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2010

Entrepreneurs who utter this line are kidding themselves. That’s probably the soft way of saying, we don’t have a patent or any “secret sauce” for a competitive advantage. Investors expect the founder and other principals to have “skin in the game,” over and above “sweat equity.” We have the first-mover advantage.”

Startup 52

Startup Social Network IBM IBM 52