socalTECH

MARCH 1, 2012

Last week, Pasadena-based Punchcard (www.punchcard.com) launched its mobile apps, which help local retailers provide rewards to loyal customers. It provides consumer rewards, and on the merchant side, it allows them to identify local customers and reacquire them by pushing them offers and incentives to come back. What is Punchcard?

Southern California 245

Southern California Idealab Startup Customer 245

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

His goal was to find a programmer who would come in as an early partner and work as an Equity-Only Developer. Have you tested the concept with customers using paper? Have you signed some test customers? Don't try to hunting programmers until you've pushed this as far as you can on paper and get early customers.

Guide 349

Guide Startup Mobile Framework 349

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 14, 2012

…” I’ll write soon on my views of why I believe Instagram took off as a social network and what I think comes next. Instagram happens to be one of the few social networks I regularly use along with Twitter. You are either bought for stock or for equity. Think about it.

Venture Capital 316

Venture Capital Pricing Social Network Acquisition 316

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

We spent our future since the equity was artificial. Please do not read that I think an early-stage company with limited product and only beta customers should go straight for a $5 million fund raising. It is also a result of pent-up demand. In the following post I argue that this increased pace may be temporary.

Venture Capital 269

Venture Capital Startup Funding Technical Review 269

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2013

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. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. Both are networks.

Startup 100

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 100

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

His goal was to find a programmer who would come in as an early partner and work as an Equity-Only Developer. Have you tested the concept with customers using paper? Have you signed some test customers? Don't try to hunting programmers until you've pushed this as far as you can on paper and get early customers.

Guide 296

Guide Startup Mobile Framework 296

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

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. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. Both are networks.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

socalTECH

JANUARY 17, 2017

What we've developed, is an Android app that allows us to open up financial access to customers in emerging markets. The really, really exciting this, is in emerging markets, customers have been underserved by financial institutions for years, because they lack credit scores. Also, as you mention, we're far away from our customers.

Startup 100

Startup Santa Monica Customer Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Optimize the total customer experience. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Startup 108

Startup Sales Metrics Entrepreneur 108

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. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Close at least one initial customer.

Angel 104

Angel Screening Summary Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Optimize the total customer experience. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Startup 56

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 56

SoCal CTO

MARCH 4, 2010

He posted on several social networking sites the following message: If you know of a startup company that could benefit from the knowledge, experience, professional network and reputation of a globally recognized technology and innovation leader.

Technical Review 170

Technical Review Technical Advisors CTO Coach Startup 170

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 26, 2015

While all of this is going on you are trying to get customers to use your product, enterprises to sign contracts that don’t leave you with unlimited liabilities and landlords to take you in with limited deposits or guarantees. In a word – you are truly vulnerable. It’s a Hobbesian calculation.

Startup 150

Startup Google Software Review Snapchat 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. By using a laser focused approach for the first iteration, you may actually produce something and get a customer without funding. Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

They need a large infusion from venture capitalists, private equity, bank loans, or mezzanine financing. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Optimize the total customer experience. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Sales 96

Sales Metrics Startup Entrepreneur 96

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. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. Both are networks.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Create intellectual property. Manage your time.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Social Network Startup Patents 98

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. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers. Close at least one initial customer.

Invest 99

Invest Angel Technical Review Summary 99

Steve Reich

MARCH 30, 2012

They did it entirely through social networking. One of the founders wrote a Python script that sent out custom emails to a list they had developed. 20k from StartEngine, and a lot of sweat equity from the founders. You can go to virtually any city in the world and meet a local who will tell you about their city.

Incubator 91

Incubator Web Entrepreneur Santa Barbara 91

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2012

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. By using a laser focused approach for the first iteration, you may actually produce something and get a customer without funding. Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Startup 104

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 104

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 24, 2011

Without their buy in, we don’t get the opportunity to interact with end customers. My brand marketing experience is making a big difference with our audiences since hospitality is all about a ‘brand experience’ and they want their stuff to look great, be a reflection of their brand and get customers excited. Write it down….

Startup 233

Startup Design Mobile Social Network 233

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. This is not the place for a detailed product specification, but an explanation of how and why it works, including a customer-centric quantification of the benefits. Solution and benefits. Focus is the keyword here.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Create intellectual property. Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Create intellectual property. Manage your time.

Mentor 100

Mentor Startup Social Network Patents 100

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2011

To do that, the firm has combined the world of social networking and personal finance with its newly launched service. Ultimately, that will provide an opportunity to involve those brands in our world, while giving them an avenue to help their customers achieve their goals and dreams. Tell me the story behind Payoff.com?

Startup 197

Startup Ideas Southern California Social Network 197

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. Reserve the company name on social networks to protect it. Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers. Close at least one initial customer.

Angel 89

Angel Funding Technical Review Startup 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2011

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. By using a laser focused approach for the first iteration, you may actually produce something and get a customer without funding. Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Startup 101

Startup CTO Hire Press Customer 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. This is not the place for a detailed product specification, but an explanation of how and why it works, including a customer-centric quantification of the benefits. Solution and benefits. Focus is the keyword here.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2010

Barter services and use equity to get things done for minimum cash. Reserve the same names on the leading social networks and blogs. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Create intellectual property. Manage your time.

Guide 92

Guide Startup Social Network Patents 92

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

aka: An Open Letter to the Next Big Social Network) - 500 Hats , November 1, 2010 I've held off writing this post for a long time, because I couldn't quite get my head around all the issues. If network B has 20 users than it’s value is 400 (20*20). No Business Plan Survives First Contact With A Customer – The 5.2

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

For a business, you must define the absolute minimum features you need to satisfy the customer problem, and test it in the market. By using a laser focused approach for the first iteration, you may actually produce something and get a customer without funding. Get a real customer and real revenue. Show personal investment.

Tips 88

Tips Startup CTO Hire Press 88

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

Ensure your business name is available on a wide variety of social networking websites in order to develop consistent branding ( KnowEm ). Create and manage your social media presence. Set up your computer and network. Choose an email system to connect with customers ( Constant Contact , MailChimp , Sendgrid ).

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

While running my family wine business , I used Twitter’s search for market research and to find new customers. It was, and still is, an incredible customer service tool. When you’re the fourth place network, things aren’t going great. It’s a powerful tool for social utility and a great social network.

Platform 40

Platform Startup News Content 40

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Mike has over 18 years of business development, marketing and management experience in businesses ranging from early stage start-ups to private equity and from mid-stage business to large turn-around operations. 8:30 – 9:30pm – cocktail reception and networking. As of May 2010, CallFire has over 20,000 customers! RSVP: AGENDA.

Tech Coast Angels 96

Tech Coast Angels Idealab Angel Startup 96

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. This is not the place for a detailed product specification, but an explanation of how and why it works, including a customer-centric quantification of the benefits. Solution and benefits. Focus is the keyword here.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

This included stabilizing a historically negative traffic and user trend, reducing the operational cost of the business by nearly 90 percent and pivoting the product from its legacy as a social network to a social entertainment destination. As of May 2010, CallFire has over 20,000 customers!

Tsavo 76

Tsavo Idealab Tech Coast Angels Userplane 76

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

equity debate. Making Money From Social Games - ArcticStartup , August 23, 2010 Games Developer Conference Europe 2010 (GDCE) took place last week in Cologne, Germany. Social gaming was naturally one of the key topics, covered in many presentations. Have convertible notes really won? Requests - Expect 70% on request (e.g.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191