Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2021

Of course, that means a mindset willing to give up much more equity, and taking on a whole new level of risk. Of course, customer relationships, and penetration into new market segments are also critical elements. Isolate marketing from sales for maximum customer focus.

Startup 151

Startup Course Sales Entrepreneur 151

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2021

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 160

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 160

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Of course, their answer is that the second intends to get to market faster, but every engine has limits regardless the fuel applied. Use social media for early marketing. That should equate to an adequate valuation for a $2 million follow-on Series-A round, without giving away all the equity.

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

The second phase was the emergence of influencer marketing, or connecting those influencers to brands to leverage their audiences … Now that influencer marketing has become an established part of the marketing playbook, we are in phase three: tools to help influencers further monetize their influence, like Cameo, and then manage their lives.”.

Platform 170

Platform Marketing Tool Venture Capital 170

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2022

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. Separate marketing from sales for further leverage.

Sales 147

Sales Metrics Guide Startup 147

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

If you need help at this stage, look for a local university teaching online courses on entrepreneurship , or how to build a business plan. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services. 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

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity.

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Of course, you need to show how your business will make money and provide an impressive investor return, but that should be only the beginning. Investors love entrepreneurs who come across as constantly on the lookout for new ideas, and able to grasp the larger implications for market change.

Ideas 140

Ideas Entrepreneur Equity Resource 140

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 16, 2014

We’ve been dying to tell you all for a while that we had raised a new venture capital fund and of course given SEC filing requirements the story was somewhat already scooped by the always-in-the-know Dan Primack a few weeks ago. We raised $280 million. But on a relative basis we feel blessed.

Venture Capital 396

Venture Capital Funding Technical Review Startup 396

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2021

The average amount per startup has been $23,000, usually in the form of a convertible loan, rather than an equity investment. The vehicle of choice is most often a convertible note, which is really a loan with a specified duration and interest, with an option to convert it to equity when professional investors come in later.

Funding 138

Funding Startup Equity Invest 138

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2022

Most entrepreneurs never forget for a moment that having investors means owing money, even if they can legally argue that equity is not debt. Of course, this can be positive if you really need the help and experience in making key decisions. Many times friends and family have been broken by failed investments.

Funding 107

Funding Startup Satisfaction Venture Capital 107

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

A grant is not an equity investment, so the entrepreneur doesn’t have to give up a stake in the company either. Of course, there are “experts” at grant preparation, available for a fee, and even people who can introduce you to key decision makers in the grant approval process. Professional help costs money. Extend your networking.

Equity 92

Equity Startup High Tech Research 92

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2017

And of course we help with business development introductions and with fund raising events. Boards are not appointed to be founder-friendly lapdogs for the 1–3 founders who start companies and usually own the largest equity positions in the company. Often we are asked to get involved in executive-level recruiting.

Startup 217

Startup Technical Review Equity Report 217

SoCal CTO

APRIL 25, 2017

I've removed the two words that described the market - otherwise this is verbatim. I'm working on a start up idea in the XXX market with my partner and we are currently looking for full stack developer to join us as a technical co-founder. Of course, this needs to be "elevator size" - 3 to 4 sentences.

Email 150

Email Startup Develop Development 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Of course, if you wait for the perfect time, you may never start. You need complementary skills for marketing, financials, and operations. Yet, I find that most of us don’t have the financials for that option, so we must share the equity, control, and reward, and rely on funding from family, friends, and professional investors.

Startup 159

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Equity 159

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2015

Carpinteria-based lynda.com , the online learning and education company backed by Accel Partners, Spectrum Equity, TPG Capital and Meritech Capital Partners, has bolstered its executive staff in the enterprise area, saying this morning that it has named Erik Nierenberg as General Manager of its Enterprise business. READ MORE>>.

Web Design 100

Web Design Education Design Course 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

If you need help at this stage, look for a local university teaching online courses on entrepreneurship , or how to build a business plan. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Resource 171

Resource Startup Organization Incubator 171

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2018

We charge zero, and take no equity, and really there are very small operational costs for us to support startups. They really have to have an understanding of why their product exists, why their project exists, who the market is for their product. To excel, you have to know what those differentiators are to reach that market.

Startup 172

Startup Seed Funding Mentor Ideas 172

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Of course, their answer is that the second intends to get to market faster, but every engine has limits regardless the fuel applied. Use social media for early marketing. That should equate to an adequate valuation for a $2 million follow-on Series-A round, without giving away all the equity.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. The most effective new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity. Set expectations accordingly. Use crowd funding.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 31, 2012

Here is a sample of the reading list for the course that gives you a flavor for just how modern and practical this course is. Jeff (also an HBS alum) co-teaches the LTV course with Professor Eisenmann about a student of theirs who had written a blog post about sales taking on some of my previous assertions.

Startup 319

Startup Sales Course Competition 319

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2018

The most important advice I could give you before you set out in fund raising mode is to understand that fund-raising a sales & marketing process and needs to be managed. Of course there’s no exact number of VCs you should meet?—?these The first in the series is “ Lemons Ripen Early ,” which also has a link to other posts.

Venture Capital 332

Venture Capital Funding Startup Sales 332

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2019

Until the recession a few years ago, market research indicated that as many as 90 percent of the roughly 20 million American small business owners were motivated more by lifestyle than growth and money. Of course, even lifestyle entrepreneurs want to be happy, and want their business to be “successful.” According to William R.

Startup 77

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Course 77

TechCrunch LA

JANUARY 29, 2020

Kleiner Perkins , one of the most storied franchises in venture capital, has already invested much of the $600 million it raised last year and is now going back out to the market to raise its 19th fund, according to multiple sources. We went out to market to LPs. Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman. “We We got a lot of interest.

IBM 164

IBM IBM Venture Capital Invest 164

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Of course, we all realize that this approach will take longer, and could jeopardize both roles if not managed effectively. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. The hottest new way of funding startups is to use online sites, like Kickstarter , to request donations, pre-order, get a reward, or even give equity.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Most entrepreneurs never forget for a moment that having investors means owing money, even if they can legally argue that equity is not debt. Of course, this can be positive if you really need the help and experience in making key decisions. Many times friends and family have been broken by failed investments.

Startup 124

Startup Satisfaction Venture Capital Entrepreneur 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2021

Of course, it helps to pick a business model that minimizes these costs, such as e-commerce to minimize initial staff and facilities, or professional services, where you are the initial product. In these cases, you both win by expanding the market. Negotiate a line-of-credit with a financial institution.

Startup 161

Startup Resource Customer Custom 161

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 4, 2014

Of course it makes no sense to have great people management and a crappy product. ” Of course we all go into businesses expecting to be aligned with our co-founders but over time life changes. – while the other might want a quick sale and pocket some bucks while the tech market is hot. Equity for the future?

Startup 340

Startup Technical Review Course Press 340

SoCal CTO

MAY 13, 2014

For me, if I can help you within a couple hours Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions , I’m happy to do that and I don’t expect compensation or equity for that. Of course, you will want to work out the specifics of how you plan to work together with the advisor once it becomes more formal and adjust accordingly.

CTO Coach 241

CTO Coach Startup CTO Hire Template 241

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2015

Every investor in your startup, even friends and family, normally expects a share of your company (equity), which means your return for all your effort goes down quickly. Of course, nothing is really free in the business world. Grants should never be seen as the only alternative to equity investors, or vice versa.

Pricing 100

Pricing Equity Technical Review Research 100

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 28, 2018

Of course the VC is looking to have specificity in how you plan to spend the money you’re going to raise and plans that show a pie chart that says, “25% on marketing, 30% on technology and R&D, 20% on infrastructure, 25% on G&A” do not get funded. Yes, I see plans this pedestrian. You might not like this?—?but

Venture Capital 247

Venture Capital Capital Funding Demand 247

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Of course, I provide part-time CTO services. What product, market testing have you done so far, if any? I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this. Generally I can provide quite a bit of help in that brief time.

CTO Hire 264

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 264

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2018

Here are the unique business elements that I expect to hear as a potential investor: Target market size and growth projections. Most investors won’t be interested unless you can show them a large market (billion-dollar opportunity), with a double-digit growth rate. First to market” is not sustainable with normal startup resources.

Product 58

Product Slides Entrepreneur Invest 58

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 17, 2019

Just as I was getting the swing of things the world shifted beneath my feet and the stock market went into a free fall and venture capital all but shut down for nearly a year. Of course the media doesn’t do nuance well so this is an emotional topic. Jason was a creator and saw a market opportunity that others didn’t.

Venture Capital 223

Venture Capital IP Startup Google 223

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Of course, I provide part-time CTO services. What product, market testing have you done so far, if any? I'm looking for free (equity only) development, should I contact you? See Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers for more on this. Generally I can provide quite a bit of help in that brief time.

CTO Hire 259

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 259

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. Separate marketing from sales for further leverage.

Startup 97

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2017

Until the recession a few years ago, market research indicated that as many as 90 percent of the roughly 20 million American small business owners were motivated more by lifestyle than growth and money. Of course, even lifestyle entrepreneurs want to be happy, and want their business to be “successful.” According to William R.

Entrepreneur 69

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Course 69