SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

He has a really interesting background as a product manager and now an entrepreneur. On the one hand, an entrepreneur should not be overly paranoid and should know the ropes that VCs and other professional investors generally will not sign NDAs to see the concept or a prototype--and even if they did, it would not provide much protection.

Product 150

Product Entrepreneur Social Media Google 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2020

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Socaltech has partnered with Sutton Capital Partners with their Recurring Revenue Conference for several yars. Two lessons learnedand relearned!

Capital 100

Capital SoCal Southern California SaaS 100

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 21, 2014

I’d like to do a few posts on what life looks like on the way up and perhaps how to keep your head on straight and avoid drinking your own Kool Aid because as I often advise entrepreneurs on irrational exuberance, “ In a strong wind even turkeys can fly.” Create company measures for success that go beyond financial metrics.

Marketing 354

Marketing Case Study Metrics Sales 354

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2018

In the same way, great entrepreneurs and company leaders should no longer rely on faceless and nameless processes to drive business strategy and innovation to stay competitive. Here is my adaptation of his engagement principles for all the aspiring entrepreneurs I advise: Learn to adopt an outsider’s perspective.

Social Media 96

Social Media Metrics Customer Custom 96

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2018

If you’ve got the skills to be a strong entrepreneur then it shouldn’t be too difficult to find people who know a partner at a VC firm and if you can build relationship with them you can get introduced. Most entrepreneurs (and VCs raising from LPs) think this means progress. Entrepreneur : “Sure. Some people find this elitist?—?I

Funding 336

Funding Venture Capital Startup Email 336

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 31, 2009

Startonomics is a one-day conference aimed at equipping you with metrics and models for success. You'll hear from some of the smartest, scrappiest startup CEO's on real world strategies and hard-knock lessons that matter most, whether you're a startup exec, an investor, or an aspiring entrepreneur. See [link] (more).

Metrics 100

Metrics Conference Entrepreneur Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

That’s why I caution my aspiring entrepreneur clients against proclaiming to investors that they are a great “idea” person. Create a written plan, with target milestones and metrics. The bridge from thinking and talking, to doing, is a long and difficult one for many to get over. A full plan may be no more than 20 pages.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2022

Thus, in my mentoring of potential technical entrepreneurs who have a real passion for their technology, I often recommend that they find a co-founder who can manage the marketing and execution elements of the new venture. Balance of passion with reality and customer feedback. Build business relationships and a personal brand.

Mentor 133

Mentor Startup Customer Custom 133

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

In the same way, great entrepreneurs and company leaders should no longer rely on faceless and nameless processes to drive business strategy and innovation to stay competitive. Here is my adaptation of his engagement principles for all the aspiring entrepreneurs I advise: Learn to adopt an outsider’s perspective.

Social Media 99

Social Media Metrics Customer Custom 99

SoCal CTO

JUNE 9, 2010

Draw Your Ideas - A VC : Venture Capital and Technology , May 16, 2010 I saw Jack Dorsey give this talk at The 99% Conference last month. saw Jack Dorsey give this talk at The 99% Conference last month. Why Entrepreneurs Hate Lawyers. Of the ones I have been to recently, the Nantucket Conference has been my favorite.

Startup 248

Startup Venture Capital Conference Social Media 248

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Being an entrepreneur is about, “The journey through the ‘NO’ to get to the YES’ ” said by Ryan Caldbeck, CEO of CircleUp , on a panel at the Connections Conference in Indianapolis. Being an entrepreneur is about making a commitment no matter how painfully difficult it is to keep it.

Startup 104

Startup Technical Review Search Engine Optimization Los Angeles 104

Tech.Co

APRIL 30, 2018

In addition to the startup friendly environment in Arlington, we have been able to thrive in a county that supports entrepreneurs. The freight shipment marketplace will match shipper and driver, book loads, optimize routes, track metrics, and manage payments. RouteMarket.

Startup 70

Startup Tool Platform Metrics 70

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business. Don’t forget seminars and events.

Social Media 56

Social Media Pricing Technical Review Demand 56

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 25, 2009

I like to say to first-time entrepreneurs, picking a VC is more permanent than marriage. Keeping a blog has been great because so many entrepreneurs have written me with questions about their companies and I’ve gotten to know many of you personally through the process. There are many great VCs. Let me explain.

Venture Capital 297

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur 297

socalTECH

JUNE 13, 2011

We were invited in March to the Harvard Social Enterprise Conference to present. UCLA Anderson really seems to be a hotbed of entrepreneurs nowadays - did you know going into the MBA program you'd be starting your own company? Are people really willing to sell their stuff to benefit charities? It has been really amazing.

UCLA 256

UCLA Startup Ideas Help 256

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2010

It’s human nature to prioritize the metrics that get measured, so the simple act of keeping track is often enough to have a significant positive impact. I suggest you try to figure out the 3-5 key metrics that are used to judge the health of companies in your industry, and keep track of these somewhere in your scorecard.

.Net 89

.Net Metrics Competition Template 89

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2010

TechCrunch Europe ran an article in November of last year that European startups need to work as hard as those in Silicon Valley and I echoed the sentiment in my post about the need for entrepreneurs to be maniacal about their businesses if one wants to work in the hyper competitive tech world. We were based in London.

Entrepreneur 308

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Conference 308

Steve Reich

JUNE 11, 2012

MBO is very metrics driven, and their shareholder reports are dense with detailed, disciplined reporting that remind you that Rick is former Naval officer. They have periodic conference calls with groups of users. Shortly after the call, I turned down a very generous offer to by my MBO stock. This is a company for the long haul.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Software Review SaaS 97

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 25, 2014

But considering the huge number of collaborative efforts, contacts, and great run-ins we experienced at this year’s little black sheep of a tech conference, in Austin, TX; we couldn’t possibly leave all the laundry out to dry. Tons of great conversations about new startups, hardware, and the entrepreneurs building them.

Entertainment 99

Entertainment Google Entrepreneur Course 99

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2023

A common challenge faced by every entrepreneur is that they don’t have the bandwidth, interest or skills to do everything that is required to build their startup. Investors worry about a single entrepreneur getting overloaded, disabled or led astray, with no balancing and supporting partner.

Startup 99

Startup High Tech Entrepreneur Writing 99

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Siemer & Associates runs its annual conference next week to delve into the same topics. For a similar company, with the same metrics and stage, valuations had been tiny. What''s the current environment for M&A and IPOs, in general? David Siemer: I''ll start with IPOs, something we don''t here. Now we have it.

Southern California 124

Southern California SoCal Commerce Invest 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2021

A common challenge faced by every entrepreneur is that they don’t have the bandwidth, interest or skills to do everything that is required to build their startup. Investors worry about a single entrepreneur getting overloaded, disabled or led astray, with no balancing and supporting partner.

Startup 126

Startup High Tech Entrepreneur Writing 126

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 3, 2013

Startup Grind was a truly awesome conference and Derek the consumate host. We talked about how business school historically hasn’t positioned entrepreneurs well for success. I wrote about that before in a post about “ whether MBAs are necessary for entrepreneurs. I hope to be asked back for next year’s event.

Venture Capital 403

Venture Capital Education Offshore Outsource Development 403

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2015

A common challenge faced by every entrepreneur is that they don’t have the bandwidth, interest or skills to do everything that is required to build their startup. Investors worry about a single entrepreneur getting overloaded, disabled or led astray, with no balancing and supporting partner.

Startup 105

Startup High Tech Entrepreneur Writing 105