Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2011

Look how the Japanese entered the auto industry, or how McDonalds imitated White Castle, or how Wal-Mart “perfected” the low-price high-volume approach. Of course, the first one gets the patent. But patent disclosure requirements often make imitation easier, and smart technologists can work around most patents anyway.

Startup 91

Startup Patents Statistics Course 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

Business model showing costs, pricing, and margins. Intellectual property and sustainable competitive advantage. Patents, trade secrets, and trademarks are very attractive to investors, since these are not easily overcome by competitors. Specific investment size request, and equity offered.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

Xconomy

JUNE 3, 2016

Merck also saw some expected fruits of its 2014 big-ticket acquisition of Cubist Pharmaceuticals wither away this week, as the Supreme Court wouldn’t reverse a decision that shaved years off the patent life of the top-selling antibiotic daptomyicin (Cubicin). The drug has a list price of $69,350 per patient, per year.

San Diego 62

San Diego Patents Acquisition News 62

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

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. You have figured out how to undercut your competitor’s price, and still hold your margin. Love that sustainable competitive advantage. Bask in the success as it happens.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

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. Real customers are ones who have paid full price for the product, have it installed and in use, and are still satisfied. How much “skin” is already in the game?

Startup 101

Startup Invest Patents Entrepreneur 101

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

Focusing on the key elements that larger brands examine when they consider an acquisition is crucial for obtaining the best price and for establishing a corporate brand that distinguishes itself from its competitors as a valuable asset. The good news is that business success requires careful attention to these same key ingredients.

Startup 40

Startup Acquisition Outsource Development Outsource 40

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. Real customers are ones who have paid full price for the product, have it installed and in use, and are still satisfied. How much “skin” is already in the game?

Startup 97

Startup Invest Patents Customer 97

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. Real customers are ones who have paid full price for the product, have it installed and in use, and are still satisfied. How much “skin” is already in the game?

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Invest Patents 95

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. 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.” Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

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. Real customers are ones who have paid full price for the product, have it installed and in use, and are still satisfied. How much "skin” is already in the game?

Startup 91

Startup Invest Patents Entrepreneur 91

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. 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.” Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Startup 104

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. 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.” Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Startup 101

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

It doesn’t prove your business model of pricing, distribution, and support. 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.” Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Tips 88

Tips Startup CTO Hire Press 88