Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 30, 2016

There is a general guideline of how much investors want to own in order to invest in your company and the norm is 15–30% with the most common range 20–25% per early stage round. Because investors need to imagine making a minimum of 10x their invested capital and early-stage investors are shooting for even higher multiples.

Startup 292

Startup Software Review Pricing Entrepreneur 292

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 31, 2021

“The climate-oriented investment in Biden’s new plan would be roughly ten times what came through ARRA,” wrote Shayle Kann, a partner with the investment firm, Energy Impact Partners. The vast majority of those are nowhere up to modern codes. ” Climate resiliency .

Startup 229

Startup Technical Review Invest Research 229

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Thus the top priority of every entrepreneur who wants funding should be to build and highlight their “dream team” of co-founders, executives and advisers, to attract the biggest and best investors. Solo entrepreneurs rarely find an investor. Investors talk to each other and they love warm introductions to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review 60

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

A few months ago I wrote about an entrepreneur, Sam Rosen, whom we brought on as an EIR at Upfront Ventures. His ideas to date hadn’t totally resonated and of course ideas matter, too. His message was that he realized he needed to move his girlfriend’s stuff into a storage facility due to apartment flooding. I felt bad.

UCSD 340

UCSD Startup Ideas Course 340

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Equity 105

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2018

We caught up with one of the co-founders, Jay Goss, about what the new investment fund is looking for in a startup, and the types of investments it makes. First, tell us about the fund and what you are looking to invest in? We know one thing, which is that entrepreneurs come out of a world where there is disruption.

Startup 113

Startup Technical Review Software Review Artificial Inteligence 113

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 18, 2015

I rarely talk to any startup entrepreneur or VC who doesn’t feel it and somehow long for simpler times despite the benefits we all enjoy from increased enthusiasm for our sector. For entrepreneurs there’s too much money sloshing around. We are experiencing a frenetic time. “Yeah, we think about going every year.

Software Review 150

Software Review Startup Venture Capital Invest 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 26, 2016

The reason one would accept losses is when they are investments in fueling faster growth. Perhaps the most misused terms I see these days from entrepreneurs involve CAC (customer acquisition costs) and LTV (life time value) and a lack of understanding these critical components is driving many companies to premature failure.

Metrics 150

Metrics Startup SaaS Course 150

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

It’s true that we also fund more mundane stuff like B2B software aimed at productivity improvements but we want some big bets in every fund where we feel we can contribute to “making our own little dent in the universe” as the saying goes – by backing ambitious entrepreneurs with that same goal. With conviction.

Technical Review 150

Technical Review Software Review Startup Ideas 150

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

The era of VCs investing in successful consumer Internet startups such as eBay led to a belief system that seemed to permeate many enterprise software startups that hiring sales or implementation people was a bad thing. We only want software revenue.” We prefer to sell software, not get involved with client systems.”

Startup 403

Startup Sales Software Review Technical Review 403

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 25, 2015

” This, too, is a must read for any entrepreneur. I have many investments with early traction and I the entrepreneurs I work with must tire of my constantly saying, “Are we really making a difference? And of course it’s true in personal productivity apps, SMB apps, B2B software and so forth.

Product 150

Product Startup Metrics Technical Review 150

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 27, 2012

1) has escaped the attention of the major Internet companies, which are better run than ever before; (2) is capable of being launched and proven out for ~$5M, the typical seed plus series A investment; and. (3) Entrepreneurs can still build big businesses on the outskirts.” Of course not. How many ideas like that are left?”

Technical Review 299

Technical Review Venture Capital Yammer Google 299

socalTECH

OCTOBER 4, 2010

The company provides SAT, ACT, and other similar test preparation courses and related software. I had worked as a tutor for Princeton Review, and Jake for Kaplan. We thought, we could put out a better product than Kaplan or Princeton Review, which would be more compelling, and also would tie in a strong social mission.

Software Review 178

Software Review Technical Review Education Startup 178

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2012

We thought it might be interesting to talk with one of the fund's managing directors, Jeb Spencer about the fund's success in technology investments, plus how it managed to raise another fund in this kind of environment, plus its unique goal of getting companies to an acquisition--and not an IPO.

Acquisition 168

Acquisition Software Review Technical Review Equity 168

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

With small amounts of money invested (sub $3 million) the risks are reasonably low for most VCs and the consequences of bad decisions or decisions a VC has limited say in is tolerable. And here’s an important point that I think modern entrepreneurs often forget: Investors are “co-owners” of your business. Mentorship.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2010

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive. Tags: entrepreneur advisory board startup funding business. Marty Zwilling.

Invest 50

Invest Technical Review Software Review High Tech 50

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

The part of the movement that resonates the most with me (in my words) is that entrepreneurs should keep their capital expenditures really low while they’re experimenting with their product and determining whether there is a large market for what they do. This benefits you, the entrepreneur. It takes options off of the table.

Development Team Review 374

Development Team Review Technical Review Startup Resource 374

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2013

The one word the best entrepreneurs never accept. I worked in both before leaving to work in a software company at 17. “Of course I can. ” Jacob, “Of course I can have a piece. I had a business class seat due to status of flying a lot and my family was in economy. Stay with me. “What?

Sales 416

Sales Class Training Technical Review 416

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

” I mention journalists here because they perpetuate the myth that focusing on profits is ALWAYS the right answer and then I hear many entrepreneurs (and certainly many “normals”) repeating the same mantra. If you have a market lead then raising capital and making investments now will help you as others enter the market.

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2013

Yet every investor has his own “rules of thumb” on what makes a specific startup too high a risk for his investment taste. Of course, if you intend to fund the business yourself, or have a rich uncle, external investment funding concerns are not a problem. Of course, successful approvals may also mean high returns.

Startup 109

Startup Summary Software Review Sites 109

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 16, 2010

The VC industry grew dramatically as a result of the Internet bubble - Before the Internet bubble the people who invested in VC funds (called LPs or Limited Partners) put about $50 billion into the industry and by 2001 this had grown precipitously to around $250 billion. So the people who invest in VC funds have two problems.

Venture Capital 311

Venture Capital Startup Seed Funding Rustic Canyon 311

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

If you look at what you go through, starting high school, and maybe even middle or grade school, you go through your educational life managing courses, relationships with your teachers, and relationships with your parents. It's started with managing courses and grades, on to a whole array of other services.

Education 124

Education Startup Course Tool 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive. What better candidates than your Advisory Board?

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

otherwise I prefer to invest less and risk less). In a world where the economy only heads in one direction (read: 2009-2014) most investors & entrepreneurs forget to pay attention to gross burn. But software companies often take longer to scale top-line revenue than retailers so it takes a while to cover your nut.

Startup 383

Startup Company Companies .Net 383

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

In our industry we applaud the efforts for entrepreneurs to have tried and we know that today’s failure can bring the experience for tomorrow’s success. What would it take in investments to acquire and retain traffic to support these businesses? Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail.

Startup 150

Startup Marketing Study SEO 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2011

Yet every investor has his own “rules of thumb” on what makes a specific startup too high a risk for his investment taste. Of course, if you intend to fund the business yourself, or have a rich uncle, external investment funding concerns are not a problem. Of course, successful approvals may also mean high returns.

Startup 97

Startup Summary Software Review Sites 97

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively.

Startup 123

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively.

Develop 70

Develop Development Product Startup 70

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2010

My favorite new software tool is DailyBurn. Problem is – Weight Watchers software TOTALLY SUCKS. There is, of course, a paid version. If you have an iPhone you can scan the UPC code on the food you eat and they will be entered directly into DailyBurn done through a partnership with a company called Occipital.

Technical Review 278

Technical Review Software Review Startup SoCal 278

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive. What better candidates than your Advisory Board?

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 4, 2014

It’s almost been a work week since Techzulu and Gadget Review’s REACH | The Connected Future and we’re still reeling with excitement. And of course, we’d like to thank our amazing panels of speakers for pouring their knowledge into the mental chalices of our present and virtual attendees. Let’s Talk Money.

UCLA 99

UCLA Technical Review Software Review Incubator 99

InfoChachkie

JULY 7, 2010

It is not uncommon for successful entrepreneurs to work as a team, take some time off for a victory lap or two and then “get the band back together” in order to build upon their prior successes. At Rincon Venture Partners , the single most important facet we consider when contemplating a new investment is the quality of the Serial Team.

Startup 150

Startup IP Entrepreneur Software Review 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 12, 2018

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 53

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 53